Kate W
05 April 2019
The Cornish south coast is scattered with colourful and traditional fishing villages, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one quite so iconic as beautiful Polperro. The old buildings provide a timeless charm while the protected harbour is a scenic setting for morning walks and evening dining. The entire Polperro Heritage Coast is named after this unassuming village, so you know it’s the heart of this region.
Discover all that Polperro has to offer with our handy guide to things to do in Polperro.
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About
The beaches
Accommodation
Food and drink
Attractions
Looe
About the village:
Cottages cling to the cliffs of this beautiful fishing village on the Cornish coast. It’s an artist’s paradise with buildings draped in greenery and a pretty harbour containing colourful boats and turquoise waters.
The village itself is long and narrow with shops and eateries set along the main street called The Coombe. Get yourself fish and chips to eat down by the harbour or pick up holiday mementos in the boutiques. Stretching out from the village are miles of farmland, creating that classic countryside feel right by the coast.
The beaches:
Down on the harbour, there is a small beach so families, couples and groups can enjoy a quiet country getaway by the seaside. Dip your toes into the sea on this sandy beach and paddle among the shallows. It’s located just outside the harbour wall, so check tide times; dogs are allowed on the beach during the colder months - seasonal restrictions apply.
The south coast is lined with sandy beaches. Just 4 miles from Polperro is Talland Bay Beach where there’s a café and kayak hire, while Lansallos Beach (2.5 miles away) is one of Cornwall’s secret treasures with a waterfall to the west of the beach. National Trust-owned Lantic Bay is a beautiful sandy stretch just 5 miles away.
The accommodation:
Countryside View, sleeps 2Stay on the beautiful Polperro Heritage Coast to be close to this picturesque fishing village. We have holiday cottages scattered all along this coast, from the twin destinations of Fowey and Polruan to the west, all the way up to Looe at the eastern edge of the coast. Our selection includes dog-friendly cottages, large properties and luxury homes, so there is something for everyone. Here are a few of our favourite Polperro cottages include:
The food and drink:
There’s a whole range of cosy pubs in and around Polperro on this stunning section of the Cornish coast. The award-winning Blue Peter Inn is a 16th century building sat right on the quay, so you can picture fisherman and smugglers from long ago who may well have sat and ate here. The delightfully-named Crumplehorn Inn near Polperro Village Hall is another lovely place to stop for a bite. Meanwhile, The Chip Ahoy, The Three Pilchards and Michelle’s Restaurant all offer the classic seaside staple of fish and chips.
The attractions:
Investigate Cornwall’s dark history of smuggling and piracy at the Polperro Heritage Museum. It also has information on its long fishing heritage, and you can find out about the origins of the Polperro £5 note and the knitfrock.
Stop by the Polperro Model Village where you can see this beautiful fishing town in miniature. Feel like a giant as you roam the streets of this tiny Polperro village that, unlike many other model villages, has been reproduced to scale. Using lights, sound and animation, the land of legends exhibition provides an inside look at the old Cornish legends and superstitions. Finally, see the trains as they travel around the model railway track.
For lovers of arts and beauty, visit the Polperro Arts Foundation, a gallery down by the harbourfront. It was established in 2001 by a group of local artists who wanted to keep to creative community alive in this fishing village and is involved in local events, including the Polperro Festival, another big draw for visitors to the area.
Looe:
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Divided in two by the River Looe, this coastal town is a sought-after holiday destination in its own right and holidaymakers flock to this pretty seaside town. Looe has its own working harbour and quayside where you can sit and watch the boats come and go, a range of boutiques for shopping and dining and its own sandy beach.
Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary is great fun for adults and kids and has over 40 rescued primates currently living there. From the cute capuchin monkey (a breed you may recognise from Friends), the larger woolly monkeys, wise macaques to the energetic marmosets, there’s plenty of characters to meet on your visit. You can even book onto the keeper for a day experience to make your holiday extra memorable.
If you’ve been inspired to look into a holiday in Looe, take a peek at these cosy holiday cottages:
The Coach House Looe Valley Vineyard, sleeps 2
May Cottage, sleeps 4
The Trust House, sleeps 6
We have a range of beautiful holiday homes, cottages and lodges all along the Polperro Heritage Coast. Keep looking through our properties to find yourself the perfect seaside getaway.
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.