The neighbouring harbour towns of Looe and Polperro are on the south coast of Cornwall, linked by the South West Coast Path. Although tourism and fishing are the main industries, the area retains its colourful history of smuggling and buccaneering.
Looe straddles the River Looe which provides a natural harbour for pleasure boats and the local fishing fleet. At high tide small boats appear around St George's Island making a bee-line for the banjo pier and quay to unload their catch. Nearby the higgledy-piggledy collection of old houses, shops, banks, bakeries and cafés make up the traffic-free shopping centre. Visit the lovely Guildhall that now houses the town's museum or stroll across the seven-arched bridge to quieter West Looe. Quay Road passes the 14th century church to reach Hannafore Point where you can stroll along the promenade and spot seals basking on the rocky beach below.
Polperro has such narrow streets that through traffic is banned but you can hitch a lift on the horse-pulled milk wagon. Like Looe, tightly-packed fishermen's cottages are stacked up the steep hillside overlooking the inner harbour and the quaint narrow streets aptly known as "The Warren". Look for the House on Stilts, the Shell House and the many whitewashed pubs along the Quay.
Things to do around Looe and Polperro include boat trips, fishing excursions, shark fishing, diving, swimming and sunbathing on the local beaches, coastal walks and trips on the local railway. The Woolly Monkey Sanctuary, the Eden Project and the National Trust properties of Cotehele, Lanhydrock and Antony House are all within easy reach of holiday cottages in this idyllic area.
Here is our selection of the very best holiday homes in the Looe and Polperro area…