Things to Do in Polperro, Cornwall, a Pretty Fishing Village

Polperro is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, UK, with lots of things to see and do. It is between the Cornish towns of Looe and Fowey. Polperro is accessible via a single road, surrounded by the tree-lined River Pol valley. The small stream-like River Pol runs into the tidal harbour alongside The Combe.

Polperro also has an interesting history, mostly relating to smuggling and fishing. It is suitable for either a day trip if local to the area or a relaxing UK staycation.

Things to Do in Polperro

The pretty village is an attraction in its own right, with a history dating back to 1303. It is in a tree-lined valley, which adds to its beauty. Towards the sea, the valley opens to reveal the rugged cliffs on either side of the harbour. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy while visiting this area of Cornwall.

Sandy Beach

Polperro has a small beach just outside the harbour walls. To access this, you need to climb down the seawall steps. The beach is a mixture of sand and shale, with cliffs, a cave and rock pools to explore. The beach disappears on high tide, but as the water subsides, it appears accessible by paddling after climbing the steps.

The beach is somewhat dog-friendly, with leash restrictions before 6 pm in the summer months. The water was very calm and safe to swim in during my visit, but I stayed mindful of boats near the harbour entrance.

Relax in The Harbour

The harbour area is gorgeous and fascinating to watch from all angles, including from the cliffs above. The harbour is a working fishing port with local fishing boats working from here and a small market to sell their catch.

It is fascinating to watch them at work. You could always drop a crab line off the harbour wall and watch the world go by.

Enjoy An Excursion or a Fishing Trip

One of my favourite things to do in Cornwall is to enjoy a boat trip on the sea. Boards along the harbour advertise mackerel and shark fishing trips for people of all abilities. A coastline tour boat also operates in the area, offering a 30-minute ride to see the nearby coast.

For those wishing for a longer trip, there are trips to the nearby towns of Fowey and Looe along the coast.

Chapel Pool

Chapel Pool is one of nature’s own swimming pools. The sea fills this pool, and after half-tide, it becomes a separate swimming pool. It’s a popular spot for swimming or sitting to enjoy the spectacular views.

A few rock pools are nearby to explore. These sometimes have small fish, crabs, shellfish and other sea life to see. I usually carry goggles to have a good look underwater in the larger pools.

Hike sections of the South-West Coast Path

The picturesque fishing village is on the South-West Coast Path. This long-distance walking path is well worth a stroll or hike in either direction. Both have rugged coastlines, secluded bays, and stunning scenery.

Heading east from Polperro, you can reach the town of Looe or Talland Bay, a dog-friendly beach with a cafe and restaurant. This walk is challenging in places, with steep ups and downs, but it is special. The Warren is the first part of the walk overlooking the harbour and is well worth the climb to see the village from above. Lekerock Cove is a small and remote beach accessible this way and well worth the walk if you enjoy a bit of a challenge.

Heading west takes you towards some stunning bays; again, this is quite a hard walk. You can eventually reach Polruan, which has a passenger ferry to Looe. On the route is Parsons Cove, a quiet, secluded beach off the main path, and it’s quite a climb down to reach this mini-paradise.

The next stunner is Lansallos Bay, another dog-friendly beach that is popular but has no facilities. Meadows frame this beach to the rear and cliffs on either side, and it even has a small waterfall running into it. The waterfall supposedly gets more spectacular after a good rain.

Onwards from here towards Fowey is the National Trust Beach of Lantic Bay, a real beauty from above, and a place to sit.

Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend

Polperro Model Village is over 60 years old and has survived disasters, including floods and fires. I spent about an hour there. There is a miniature version of the village, and it is fantastic to see and accurate. Visitors can walk along a path through the model, stopping to admire the mini versions of buildings, people and boats.

At the end of the garden is a seating area with a 15-minute video on a loop about the area’s history. This was fascinating, especially watching the hardships during historical floods. The video also introduced the ghost of the tunnel on the beach called Willy Wilcox Cave. Willy was an 18th-century smuggler who lived in a cottage on the cliff above the cave. There was reputedly a secret passage between the two. Wilcox apparently drowned in the cave while hiding from customs officers, and they say his ghost haunts it.

After the video, I popped into the building, where a model railway had a few trains travelling around the tracks. Finally, there was the Land of Legends room, featuring King Arthur, witches and parts of Cornish industrial history to see a show about.

Watch The Sunrise, Sunset or Stars

One of the area’s great pleasures is finding somewhere suitable to enjoy the sunrise or sunset. You might be lucky to stay somewhere with a splendid view of either.

Kellow Hill, where I stayed, was a good vantage point for watching both the sunrise and sunset. Stargazing is amazing, and the county has less light pollution than elsewhere.

Dine Out

There are loads of options for eating out or having a drink to suit all tastes. We enjoyed visiting the dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in Polperro. Most of these served fresh local seafood. My favourite place for food was the Three Pilchards, where the food was excellent.

Polperro Heritage Museum

If you’re interested in history, the Polperro Heritage Museum has you covered. The heritage museum is located near the water and has exhibits about the area, including fishing and smuggling. Inside, you can see photographs, including some dating back to 1860. The museum also has model ships.

Enjoy A Cornish Pasty

You can enjoy a Cornish pasty at a few bakeries here. These are ideal for a beach lunch or for hiking. The Pasty Makers is a top bakery that sells regular versions and some other tasty options.

The Net Loft

On the cliffs overlooking the harbour stands the Net Loft, a Grade II-listed building. They built this in the early 19th century. Before that, the site was a 14th-century chapel.

Climb Up To the Warren

The Warren is part of the Polperro Coast Path and is a wonderful viewpoint. You can see the harbour from above, and the views are wonderful. As a bonus, they have rows of benches for relaxing and enjoying the scenery. It’s a bit of a heat trap, too, so bring a drink if you plan to stay a while.

Polperro Parish Memorial Cross

Another scenic spot along the coast path is the Polperro Parish Memorial Cross. The views from here along the coastline and out to sea are splendid.

The cross is a Grade II-listed building and was originally a memorial to World War 1; however, later conflicts have been added.

Browse The Craft & Gift Shops

Another feature of Polperro is the craft and gift shops. These have nice things to buy, including art, jewellery, gifts made from shells and postcards. You can also find handmade things to take home as souvenirs. Another frequent stop for us was Roly’s Fudge for some treats for our walks.

Enjoy A Day Trip

If you are staying for a holiday, there are day trip options in this part of Cornwall. Some of the top attractions in the area include the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project.

Looe is a nearby town with good attractions, including museums and boat trips. The town has a beach, a stunning coastline and places to enjoy seafood. It also has a vineyard that offers tours and tastings.

Fowey is another town with a range of options for activities, including water sports and beaches. The town also has museums and galleries to mooch around. A short walk along the coast is a castle with views of the coast and river.

Where to Stay?

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You have many options for staying in the village, including hotels, guest houses, holiday parks, and glamping sites. Personally, I camped out at a remote campsite, Great Kellow Farm. This was an excellent place to stay in the countryside.

Booking.com offers a range of places to stay available year-round.

Getting to Polperro

Driving is a popular choice when visiting Polperro; you can drive via Looe. If you are coming from out of county, take the M5 motorway, then the A38 into Cornwall is the preferred route. Cars and other vehicles must park up due to restrictions in the car park. This is near the Crumplehorn Pub before entering the village on foot.

If coming to the area by train, the nearest railway station is Looe. The section of track from Liskeard to Looe is stunning from start to finish. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi. The village is on a few bus routes, including the 72 and 73. These buses link Polperro with Plymouth via Looe. The other Transport for Cornwall route is the infrequent 481, which links Looe with Polruan for the Fowey ferry.

Is Polperro in Cornwall Worth Visiting?

Polperro is an ideal base camp for a UK staycation or a family holiday in southeast Cornwall. There’s plenty to do, from hiking to beach fun. The coastline here is breathtaking, and a stroll or a longer hike will help you take it in. It’s well worth visiting for a day out or a longer holiday.