Looe is a quaint Cornish beach town, with relaxation and beautiful views around every corner. Spend some quiet time here and enjoy the water and the walks around the countryside - it is sure to be a great experience.
Read on to find out about the top 10 things to do in Looe, UK.
1. Looe to Polpero Walk
This popular walking trail is 5.5 miles (8.8 km) one way and follows the South West Coast Path. After beginning near the East Looe Tourist Information Center, you will pass over a bridge to West Looe, enjoying great views of Looe Island and Looe Bay, along the way. You will then continue to Hannafore, and then onto Talland. In Talland, you will find two beaches and a 15th-century church to explore, as well as a café, if you are hungry or thirsty. Finally, you will continue from Talland to Polperro. Along the way, you will see beaches, bays, harbors, and ancient fisherman’s cottages.
This walk is beautiful and fun, and you can make a day of it and stop anywhere you like, along the way. To get back to Looe, just take the bus – unless of course you want to make the walk again.
Looe to Polperro Walk
Address: The Guildhall, Fore Street, East Looe, Cornwall PL13 1AA
Website: Looe-Polperro Walk
2. The Monkey Sanctuary
Founded in 1964, to care for rescued wooly monkeys, this sanctuary is now home to the descendants of the original wooly monkeys, capuchin monkeys rescued from the United Kingdom pet trade, and a few Barbary macaques. Currently, there is a total of 37 monkeys residing in the sanctuary.
Visitors can view the monkeys in their large, open home, and learn all about each individual monkey, their stories, and how they live together, as a group. You can also enjoy the gardens, a kid’s playground, and of course the café and gift shop.
The sanctuary is also home to a colony of rare lesser horseshoe bats, one of the world’s smallest bats. They live in the cellar of the visitor’s center and guests can view them in the “bat room”, on CCTV via an infrared camera installed in the cellar.
The Monkey Sanctuary
Address: Murrayton House, St Martins, Looe PL13 1NZ, UK
Website: Monkey Sanctuary
3. East Looe Beach
East Looe Beach sits directly in front of the old town and is known for being a very family friendly beach. The beach is shallow and gently slopes, providing easy access and safe swimming, and is sheltered from the harsh ocean by many sea defenses. The sand is said to be excellent for sand-castle building, and families can enjoy cafes, shops, and treats within walking distance.
East Looe Beach
Address: PL13 1HA
Website: East Looe Beach
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4. Looe Island
Looe Island is about a mile (1.6 km) off the mainland and has a little over 22 acres (8.9 hectares) of land. It is a mile (1.6 km) in circumference, and the highest point on the island is 150 feet (45.7 meters) above sea level. This small paradise has a rich history, which includes rumors of Joseph of Arimethea, monks, and smugglers.
Today, the island is owned by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the island and surrounding waters are a wildlife and marine preserve. For such a small area, it has a variety of habitats, including woodland, maritime, grassland, sand, shingle and rocky reef. Visitors can gain access to this island with an authorized Wildlife Trust boatman and admire all the natural beauty in the area and all the creatures that call it home.
Looe Island
Address: SX 258 519
Website: Looe Island
5. Talland Bay and the Giant's Hedge Walk
This walk is a 7.3 mile (11.8 km) trek, that is challenging but gorgeous. Along the way, you will see a 1200-year-old boundary wall (the Giant’s Hedge), an oak woodland bursting with wildlife, a wooded estuary, and get an up close and personal experience with the secluded Talland Bay.
Talland Bay and the Giant's Hedge Walk
Address: Looe PL13 1HP, United Kingdom
Website: Talland Bay/Giant’s Hedge Walk
6. Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol
The Looe Town Museum is located in a 15th-century building, along Main Street. This building has many of its original prison cells and the original raised magistrate benches. Inside the museum, you will find information on the social and economic history of the town, as well as 19th and 20th-century artifacts, many of which can be closely examined and touched. Visitors will also be delighted to find a small collection of prehistoric artifacts, such as a 2 million-year-old mastodon tooth, and some crystals and minerals.
Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol
Address: East 1AA, Higher Market St, Looe PL13, United Kingdom
Website: Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol
7. Boatzer Glass Bottom trips
This 45-minute trip will allow you to see the sea bed and all the life underneath the water while hearing tall tales and valuable scientific information from your guide. The boat will also take you around Looe Island, for the chance to see caves, sea birds and seals.
Boatzer Glass Bottom Trips
Address: The Quay, East Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1AH
Website: Boatzer Glass Bottom
8. Black Rock Beach Hire
A family owned business, Black Rock Beach Hire rents out kayaks and paddleboards, for a day of excitement on the ocean. All rentals come with wetsuits, and beach-side equipment, such as sun chairs and wind breaks, are also available. They will also give you a short lesson if you are new to using this type of equipment.
After you have finished a day of playing in the water, walk back up to the café and bistro and enjoy the outstanding food, drinks, and live music.
Black Rock Beach Hire
Address: May Ln, Millendreath PL13 1PE, UK
Website: Black Rock Beach
9. Seaside Sweets Looe
Seaside Sweets is a fun and traditional sweet shop, located near the beach, in Looe. Visitors rave about their wide selection, rare and unique candies, and the trip down memory lane, as they find some of their childhood favorites. The shop is staffed with a friendly shopkeeper, who might stop you with a tale or two, during your shopping experience.
Seaside Sweets Looe
Address: Higher Market St, Looe PL13 1BP, UK
Website: Seaside Sweets
10. Talland Church
Talland Church is graded as a “building of exceptional interest” and is perched on a cliff-top, at Talland. Parts of the church were built as far back as the 13th century, and most of it was constructed in the 15th century. You will also find a mysterious gravestone and old woodwork within the walls of the church. People still worship here, the church has service on Sundays and performs weddings, christenings, and funerals, within their ancient walls.
Talland Church
Address: Looe PL13 2JB, UK
Website: Talland Church
Relaxation, charm, and history
Looe is a beach town, full of charm and history. A visit here will show you why it is one of the most popular holiday destinations, for people from all over the world.
History
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