Looe

Looe (Cornish: Logh) is a picturesque town on the coast of South Cornwall. Looe's main business is tourism, with much of the town given over to hotels, guest houses and holiday homes, along with a large number of pubs, restaurants and beach equipment, ice cream and Cornish pasty vendors. Inland from Looe lie many camping and caravan sites, as well as the famous Woolly Monkey Sanctuary. Other local attractions include the beaches, sailing, fishing and diving, and spectacular coastal walks (especially via Talland to Polperro).

Understand

Looe remains a fishing town, and retained several fish dealers operating from the East Looe quayside until the advent of EU regulations. With its fleet of small fishing boats returning their catches to port daily, Looe has a reputation for procuring excellent fresh fish. The town is also a centre for shark fishing, and is home to the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain.

• Looe visitor information website

Get in

River Looe

1 Looe train station is small and within walking distance of the shops and the beach. The town is also easily accessible by road. The cities of Plymouth and Exeter can be reached with ease by following the main road. However, once in Looe, driving is particularly difficult as the roads are so narrow. There is a large car park at the entrance to the village which many tourists choose to use.

Get around

The town is small enough to walk around on foot, even for elderly people. It is small, and the city centre is flat. The main street of the town is lined with shops and restaurants. This road leads to the beach and banjo pier. There is also a bridge and boat service to allow people to travel from East Looe-West Looe.

See

• 1 Looe Island (is accessible by boat).  
• 2 Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol, East 1AA, Higher Market St,. Late March to end October: daily 11AM-4PM. Volunteer-run museum in the 15th-century guildhall. £2. 
• 3 Monkey Sanctuary, Murrayton House, St Martins, Looe, PL13 1NZ. April to November, and W-Su during School holidays. The sanctuary is home to woolly monkeys that are descended from the original rescued pets, a number of capuchin monkeys rescued from the UK pet trade, and a small group of rescued Barbary macaques. The monkeys live in large enclosures that the general public can view during the Sanctuary's open season in the summer months. (updated Jan 2024)

Do

The walk along the banjo pier and along the river observing the boats moored there makes a pleasant stroll on a summer's day. A walk along the footpath alongside the seafront is also a pleasant experience. The village has its own museum which is always an interesting activity. Towards the village entrance there is a large arcade with a bowling alley inside. Many tourists go on boat trips around the coast. Younger children enjoy crabbing of the harbour.

On New Year's Eve, Looe provides a surprisingly exciting and large celebration. People flock to the streets in their hundreds, wearing fancy dress, a tradition upheld by all ages. The crowds begin the evening in the town and slowly move towards the seafront for a fireworks display to see in the New Year.

Buy

There are many shops on the main street such as Boots, the Co-op and Cancer Research. There are numerous gift shops selling Looe merchandise. There are many independent shops in Looe that stock brands like Animal, Quiksilver, Roxy and Superdry.

Eat

There are a number of small, locally owned cafés in the town,many of which serve local specialities such as the Cornish pasty. There is a Cornish Pasty Co. shop a short walk from the beach. There is a café on the beach that provides refreshments for tourists. There are additionally many lovely restaurants selling local fish. The harbour on East Looe also houses Sarah's Pasty and Cake stores that are famous throughout the village for their exquisite delicatessens.

Drink

There are lots of lovely pubs in the village. Notably the Jolly Sailor in West Looe. The selection of alcohol is good and the pub also provides a weekly shanty singing as entertainment, which customers can join in with.

Sleep

• Camping in Cornwall. At Penhale caravan & camping park. 
• 1 Beach House, 1 Marine Drive, Looe PL13 2DH, ☏ +44 1503 262598. Smart welcoming B&B on the seafront. No children under 16, assistance dogs only. B&B double £100. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Talland Bay Hotel, Polperro Rd, Porthallow, Talland-by-Looe PL13 2JB, ☏ +44 1503 272667. Luxury hotel on cliffs above the bay, dog-friendly. B&B double £250. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Trelaske Hotel, Polperro Rd PL13 2JS, ☏ +44 1503 262159. Splendid little hotel midway between Looe and Polperro, great dining. In 2020 the business was sold to "The Gate" and it's not known if the hotel or restaurant will continue. (updated Jun 2020)

Go next

Looe Bay Holiday Park and Trelawne Manor are within a ten-minute drive of the village. In terms of local accommodation, there are lots of holiday cottages and apartments that are available to rent.