Des’s Guidebook
City/town information
Polperro is a magical place. It has a very colourful history, based on it's pilchard fishing fleet, the industry built around it and smuggling traditions.
The river Pol cuts through the steep valley, down to the harbour where the narrow streets are lined with fishermen's cottages. The picturesque harbour is one of the most painted and photographed in Cornwall, if not the country.
There are a number of Polperro books in the cottage, including information on the smuggler's banker, Zephaniah Job, and the early naturalist, artist and village historian Johnathan Couch. The book by early photographer, Lewis Harding, gives an illuminating insight into what Polperro was like i50 years ago.
139 abantu bendawo batusa
Polperro
Polperro is a magical place. It has a very colourful history, based on it's pilchard fishing fleet, the industry built around it and smuggling traditions.
The river Pol cuts through the steep valley, down to the harbour where the narrow streets are lined with fishermen's cottages. The picturesque harbour is one of the most painted and photographed in Cornwall, if not the country.
There are a number of Polperro books in the cottage, including information on the smuggler's banker, Zephaniah Job, and the early naturalist, artist and village historian Johnathan Couch. The book by early photographer, Lewis Harding, gives an illuminating insight into what Polperro was like i50 years ago.
Looe is the local seaside town with interesting windy streets and river leading down to the beach. Some good shops. A good walk from Polperro on the coast path or 15 minutes in the car.
We often get out to Looe Island (boat trip available from the quay) Great for nature lovers. The island is protected because of its bird and seal colonies. A beautiful and calm place.
NIce places for dinner for an evening out. I can recommend the Old Sail Loft (posh and traditional) and The Sardine Factory (posh and modern). Try the smoked haddock scotch egg starter OMG!
West Looe (other side of the river from the town) has a good pub, The Jolly Sailor and, further round the headland, at Hannafore , is a rock pool beach. Good views of Looe Island and some different coast birds including Oystercatchers, Cormorants, Turnstones and Water Pipits.
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Looe
Looe is the local seaside town with interesting windy streets and river leading down to the beach. Some good shops. A good walk from Polperro on the coast path or 15 minutes in the car.
We often get out to Looe Island (boat trip available from the quay) Great for nature lovers. The island is protected because of its bird and seal colonies. A beautiful and calm place.
NIce places for dinner for an evening out. I can recommend the Old Sail Loft (posh and traditional) and The Sardine Factory (posh and modern). Try the smoked haddock scotch egg starter OMG!
West Looe (other side of the river from the town) has a good pub, The Jolly Sailor and, further round the headland, at Hannafore , is a rock pool beach. Good views of Looe Island and some different coast birds including Oystercatchers, Cormorants, Turnstones and Water Pipits.
A bit of a drive but worth it. A pretty harbour, beach and coast with old sailing ships. The harbour still has most of the industrial china clay workings. A good museum displays the local history. Plenty of new places to eat and drink.
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Charlestown
A bit of a drive but worth it. A pretty harbour, beach and coast with old sailing ships. The harbour still has most of the industrial china clay workings. A good museum displays the local history. Plenty of new places to eat and drink.
Great town to visit for a morning or afternoon. Best way to arrive is the Bodinnick Car Ferry, otherwise you are driving around the estuary. Another favourite is a boat from Polperro (daily trips, weather dependent).
Galleries and boutiques. Plenty of places to eat and drink.
You can hire a small motor boat or kayaks for exploring up the river
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Fowey
Great town to visit for a morning or afternoon. Best way to arrive is the Bodinnick Car Ferry, otherwise you are driving around the estuary. Another favourite is a boat from Polperro (daily trips, weather dependent).
Galleries and boutiques. Plenty of places to eat and drink.
You can hire a small motor boat or kayaks for exploring up the river
Sightseeing
If you are at all interested in the history of the village or are struggling to entertain the kids in the rain, the museum is a must. Jan loves this place and poring over the stories of shipwrecks, marooning, smuggling (ancient and modern) and the old pilchard fishermen's families lives and traditions.
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Polperro Harbour Heritage Museum
4 The WarrenIf you are at all interested in the history of the village or are struggling to entertain the kids in the rain, the museum is a must. Jan loves this place and poring over the stories of shipwrecks, marooning, smuggling (ancient and modern) and the old pilchard fishermen's families lives and traditions.
Looe Island
See description under Looe.
Jan and I love this National Trust House. Beautiful in any season. Packed full of atmosphere and history. The Great Hall is amazing with armour displays, tapestries and family portraits. Decked in massive flower garlands over Christmas, the flowers having being collected from the gardens during the year. One of the oldest in situ clocks in the world. The house is matched by the wonderful gardens sloping down to the river, quay and water mill. Taking a picnic is a favourite.
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Indlu ye-Cotehele
Jan and I love this National Trust House. Beautiful in any season. Packed full of atmosphere and history. The Great Hall is amazing with armour displays, tapestries and family portraits. Decked in massive flower garlands over Christmas, the flowers having being collected from the gardens during the year. One of the oldest in situ clocks in the world. The house is matched by the wonderful gardens sloping down to the river, quay and water mill. Taking a picnic is a favourite.
Another favourite house and gardens, very often with events during the weekends. Very impressive house, set as it would have been during the Great War. A very sad family history. Absolutely stunning gardens.
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Lanhydrock
Another favourite house and gardens, very often with events during the weekends. Very impressive house, set as it would have been during the Great War. A very sad family history. Absolutely stunning gardens.
I must admit to never having visited but the Eden Project is often on people's list of places to visit. Always something going on.
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Iprojekthi le-Eden
I must admit to never having visited but the Eden Project is often on people's list of places to visit. Always something going on.
Blow the cobwebs away in this ancient landscape. Three interlinked Neolithic stone circles, the only ones of their kind.
A short walk takes you to the natural rock features of the Cheesewring.
Friendly country pub close to the car park.
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Hurlers Stone Circles
Blow the cobwebs away in this ancient landscape. Three interlinked Neolithic stone circles, the only ones of their kind.
A short walk takes you to the natural rock features of the Cheesewring.
Friendly country pub close to the car park.
Do not miss Land of Legend model village in the heart of the village. See if you can spot Fisherman's House and hear about the legend of the Cornish white hare.
Polperro Model Village
Mill HillDo not miss Land of Legend model village in the heart of the village. See if you can spot Fisherman's House and hear about the legend of the Cornish white hare.
Food scene
In my humble opinion, the best pub in the world and right next door! Always a warm welcome, beautiful people. Award winning pub and food. Grab a seat overlooking the harbour or the sea view. Live music Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Expect some noise if you are in the house.
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Blue Peter Inn
Quay RoadIn my humble opinion, the best pub in the world and right next door! Always a warm welcome, beautiful people. Award winning pub and food. Grab a seat overlooking the harbour or the sea view. Live music Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Expect some noise if you are in the house.
See description under Looe, but the haddock scotch eggs are worth mentioning again. Great food!
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The Sardine Factory Looe
Quay RoadSee description under Looe, but the haddock scotch eggs are worth mentioning again. Great food!
During family holidays Friday night at Nelson's was a highlight. Old maritime decor has not changed. Fine dining. Lobster is a real treat, available different sizes and price. Book early.
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Nelsons Restaurant
Big GreenDuring family holidays Friday night at Nelson's was a highlight. Old maritime decor has not changed. Fine dining. Lobster is a real treat, available different sizes and price. Book early.
Full of marine history. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Best place for breakfast or cream tea. Dinner with daily catch fish as a speciality.
The House On The Props, Polperro England
Talland StreetFull of marine history. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Best place for breakfast or cream tea. Dinner with daily catch fish as a speciality.
Great food and good for families. If the weather is mild the beer garden overlooking the village is a great spot.
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The Three Pilchards
Quay RoadGreat food and good for families. If the weather is mild the beer garden overlooking the village is a great spot.
Nelsons Restaurant
Big GreenGreat seafood restaurant. Always busy. Book early!
What a curry house! Very authentic dishes. Amazing flavours. Get your alcohol across the road
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Chennai Indian Fusion
8 Buller StWhat a curry house! Very authentic dishes. Amazing flavours. Get your alcohol across the road
Lovely Thai food. Very friendly staff. Always reliably high quality and authentic. Try and have a conversation with the owners - lovely people
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Ocean & Earth Thai Restaurant
Higher Market StreetLovely Thai food. Very friendly staff. Always reliably high quality and authentic. Try and have a conversation with the owners - lovely people
Neighbourhoods
The closest larger beach, half an hour walk. It has a great little beach cafe and outside seating. You can hire kayaks. A steep climb out the other side takes you to Talland Church, described as having the most beautiful setting in Cornwall. Wander among the ancient gravestones and take in the view over the bay.
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Talland
The closest larger beach, half an hour walk. It has a great little beach cafe and outside seating. You can hire kayaks. A steep climb out the other side takes you to Talland Church, described as having the most beautiful setting in Cornwall. Wander among the ancient gravestones and take in the view over the bay.
Beautiful beach a little further away. A very stiff walk of 7 up and down miles. A few parking spots in the hamlet and a pretty half mile walk down the hidden valley. Favourite smuggling spot
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Lansallos
Beautiful beach a little further away. A very stiff walk of 7 up and down miles. A few parking spots in the hamlet and a pretty half mile walk down the hidden valley. Favourite smuggling spot
Hidden gem on the river. Picturesque village and walk. Local shop and pub.
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Lerryn
Hidden gem on the river. Picturesque village and walk. Local shop and pub.
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ungaphuthelwa
Half hour boat trips around the coast
Great thing to do. Get out on the water and see the stunning Cornish coast from the sea. Boats run every 30 minutes (weather dependent)
Ungaphuthelwa
Early morning fishing trip.
Book a day in advance by the harbour wall. Leaving at 8 in the morning two hour mackerel fishing trips with Ollie are a lot of fun. Beginners or old hands. There is nothing like seeing your kids catch their first fish. Ollie is the Harbour Master and top man
Ungaphuthelwa
Museum coffee shop
Sit in the sun by the slipway with a coffee and pastry. Watch harbour life and listen to all the gossip