Looe

Looe is a fishing town on Cornwall’s south-east coast, split into East Looe and West Looe and joined by a Victorian bridge across the river estuary. The working harbour is still genuinely active, with fishing boats heading out daily and the catch landing on the quayside. Narrow streets running up from the harbour hold independent shops, galleries, pubs and fish restaurants, with Looe Island - a Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve - sitting just offshore.

East Looe Beach sits right in town, a decent stretch of sand sheltered by the harbour walls that’s perfect for families. The quieter Plaidy Beach is a 10-minute walk east along the coast path - a mixed sand-and-shingle cove that rarely gets crowded. For rock pooling, Hannafore Beach on the West Looe side has some of the best pools in Cornwall. And between Looe and Polperro, Talland Bay is a dog-friendly cove with two beach cafes and clear water.

Looe Island is a short boat ride from the harbour - a nature reserve managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, home to grey seals and nesting seabirds. Boat trips run regularly in summer, and the island walks are a worthwhile escape from the crowds. Looe has a long history of shark fishing too, and charter boats still head out after blue sharks in the summer months.

The coast path in both directions from Looe is outstanding. Head east along the cliffs towards Whitsand Bay for dramatic walking, or west through the woods to Polperro - one of the prettiest harbour villages in Cornwall. Inland, the Looe Valley is consistently overlooked, with the railway line from Liskeard following the river through quiet woods. The town gets busy in summer, but it earns its crowds. This is south-east Cornwall at its most characterful.

Beaches

• East Looe Beach - Town centre beach, sheltered by the harbour walls, lifeguarded in summer
• Hannafore Beach - Rocky shore in West Looe with excellent rock pools, dog-friendly year-round
• Plaidy Beach - Quiet mixed beach on Looe’s eastern edge, good for families wanting space
• Talland Bay - Dog-friendly cove between Looe and Polperro with two cafes
• Lansallos Beach - Remote cove reached by a countryside footpath, no facilities

Where to Stay

Around 57 holiday properties are available in the Looe area, from harbourside apartments to rural cottages in the valley. Browse all Looe properties or see our apartments guide for self-catering options.

Getting Here

Looe has its own railway station on the scenic Looe Valley branch line from Liskeard, which connects to mainline services from London Paddington and Plymouth. By road, the town is about 20 miles west of Plymouth via the A38 and B3253. Parking in town is limited in summer - the Millpool car park in West Looe is the largest option.

Guides for Looe

• Things to Do in Looe — East and West Looe, shark fishing trips, Looe Island nature reserve, and Polperro