Holidays in Looe
With the River Looe at its heart and surrounded by rocky coastline, Looe is a thriving fishing port with a busy quayside. Traditional seaside charm and popular eateries in abundance, Looe, whose history is built on pilchard canning, still boasts seafood as its hottest commodity.
You can fully embrace Looe’s loveliness with a stroll along the harbour wall towards the Victorian bridge which adjoins the east and west sides of the town or by perching on Banjo Pier above golden sands to watch the hustle and bustle of fishing vessels that return from sea.
Alternatively, walk the beautiful wooded estuary of the West Looe River before taking up the South West Coast Path from Talland back to Looe. For those with more of a hike in mind, how about heading along the Smuggler’s Way from Looe to Boscastle across ethereal Bodmin Moor?
Why not jump aboard a pleasure craft and journey out to Looe Island, a holy pilgrimage site turned wildlife haven with views out to the Lizard Peninsula? The 22.5 acre reserve is one of the best places in the local area to see grey seals and welcomes a wealth of birds. You could also schedule a fishing trip or, if you have bigger fish to fry, head out to the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream hoping for a glimpse of a blue shark.
From exploring rocks pools abundant with native marine life to crabbing off the pier to finding out more about Looe’s past smugglers at the local museum, there is plenty for children to do. Your little ones might also enjoy monkeying around at the nearby Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, which provides a chance to meet some wonderful characters, or letting loose at Porfell Wildlife Park with over 250 exotic animals.
They know how to party in Looe, from a vibrant music festival at the end of the summer to famed New Year’s Eve celebrations with a seafront firework extravaganza, and you’re sure to be on the guest list. Search for a Looe holiday cottage and lay down your vacation routes in this seaside sanctuary that holidaymakers have delighted in visiting for over 200 years.