Things To Do in Looe, Including Beach Activities & An Arcade
There are loads of things to do in Looe and nearby places, including some fantastic tourist attractions. Some of my favourites involve the beach, the sea, or walking the beautiful coastal paths nearby.
Looe is a town and fishing port in southeast Cornwall, handy for exploring the southeast coast. The town has all the trappings of a Cornish holiday resort, including beach fun, amusement arcades, fish & chip shops and other fun things to do.
Visit Looe in Cornwall
Looe is a small town on the coast of southeast Cornwall. It is primarily a fishing port and holiday destination. It is located 20 miles east of the city of Plymouth and 7 miles south of Liskeard. The river divides the town into two, forming both East and West Looe. A road bridge and a passenger ferry connect the east and west sides, tides permitting.
There is a small harbour in the centre; this is for fishing boats, tourism and transportation. The river Looe meets the sea here. The river has a steep-sided valley which splits into 2 channels upstream of the bridge. There are two beaches: a sandy beach and the stony Hannafore Beach.
Things to do in Looe, Cornwall
Disclosure! Keep in mind that some links in these posts are affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m extremely grateful) at no extra cost to you. Thanks for visiting!
Looe is also a good base camp to explore this part of Cornwall. You can find many unique activities on the GetYourGuide website.
Fishing Trip
A fun activity with a dog is to go on a fishing trip from the harbour. There are many options for fishing trips from the harbour, including charter boats or simple mackerel fishing trips. These are available for people of all abilities and are fun, especially catching your own supper. We managed to catch plenty of fish and enjoyed a barbecue at our nearby campsite.
Boat Trip Along the Coast
Boat trips are regularly available from the town, including a short coastal tour. There are glass-bottom boat trips that visit the nearby St George’s Island. The island is home to a nature reserve and a seal colony, ideal for wildlife watchers.
There are also regular boat trips to the nearby village of Polperro, where you can explore this pretty village. On all boat trips, you may be lucky enough to see some local wildlife, including dolphins.
Stunning Coastal Walks
The South West Coast Path passes through the town. Heading west, you can visit the tree-lined valley of Millendreath, which has a dog-friendly beach at certain times. Or pop into the delightful Beach Shack for a tasty lunch.
To the east, follow the rugged coastline to Polperro or Looe for longer, more challenging walks. For a shorter option, St Michael’s Chapel of Lammana offers stunning views of the island. St Michael’s Chapel of Lammana is an archaeological site of a 6th-century Celtic chapel.
Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol
The Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol is a small local history museum with a range of artefacts. They house the museum in a building that dates back to the 15th century. The museum has an interesting cannon they recovered from the sea at the entrance. They believe the Finbaker cannon to be from a 17th-century Swedish warship.
The museum covers the history of the Looe area from prehistoric times onwards. Exhibits include a tooth from a mastodon, a creature similar to a mammoth. Fishing also features prominently in the museum, as it has been the area’s core trade for centuries.
Amusement Arcades
As with most tourist towns in Cornwall, there are amusement arcades for you to visit. Riverside Amusements is on the west side of the river, very close to the road bridge. They have an array of options, from traditional 2-pence sliding machines to modern games. This arcade is clean, has a vast selection of machines to use, and, as a bonus, it is dog-friendly.
East Looe Beach
The main beach is located where the river meets the sea, near the town centre. The sandy beach is well looked after; however, it can get busy.
The sea is very good for paddling or just sitting and relaxing on the beach or on the seawall.
Looe Valley Vineyard
For wine aficionados, this vineyard offers a wonderful tour and tasting experience. When visiting Looe Valley Vineyard, you learn all about the vines and the processes to make their wines.
As part of the activity, you get to taste their wines and receive instruction on how to taste them. The wines made here are special, particularly the rosé.
Enjoy a Riverside Walk
The river at the town end has seafaring boats to see as you stroll. After the road bridge, the river widens into an estuary with small boats moored up and scenic views. On the east side, you can walk to the railway station and beyond into the valley.
Millpool is on the western side of the river. This includes a children’s play area and a lake. The lake has a causeway that you can wander over and take in the scenery. This causeway disappears on higher tides, so be warned.
Looe Bridge
Views from the bridge, upstream and downstream, are picturesque at both high and low tide. The only other river crossing in town is the hand ferry.
They built the current Victorian bridge in the 1850s. The bridge and its cast-iron lamp standards are now Grade II listed. There has been a bridge at this point since the early 13th century.
Quay Walls & Viaduct
The quay walls and viaduct are Grade II listed buildings. You can find them by heading to the sea on the river’s east side. The turret viaduct is a fantastic viewpoint, and there are plenty of places to sit along the quay wall. The walls originally date from the 18th century; however, lots were rebuilt in the 19th century.
St Nicolas Church
The Church of St Nicholas is pretty and dedicated to St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, the 4th-century saint who is also Santa Claus. They built the church in the 13th or 14th centuries, and it has had a varied history, including being desecrated and then reopened in the restoration by Charles II.
The Banjo Pier
One of the town’s famous sights is the Banjo Pier, built in 1896. Apparently, the banjo-shaped pier was a prototype for many other similar piers built around the world. The pier is a breakwater and protects boats from stormy seas.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Adventure Fit South West offers canoeing or kayaking lessons from their base in the town. This includes going on trips along the river or along the coast. They provide all the kit you need, including the kayaks and buoyancy aids. You can also hire a wetsuit from them.
Round House Gallery
The Round House Gallery dates from 1853 and is in a former butter market that is a Grade II listed building. They have a constantly evolving collection of art to see inside.
Millendreath Beach
Another pleasant place to walk to is along the coast to Millendreath Beach. Millendreath Beach is a sandy beach with a few cafes. We found it a fun place to visit with a dog after 6 pm in the summer, when they are allowed to enjoy the beach. Henry enjoyed a paddle in the sea when we visited.
Pengelly’s Fishmonger
On the Quay is Pengelly’s, a very good fishmonger who sells a vast range of locally caught fish. Pengelly’s has been selling fish for decades, supplying customers and restaurants. As well as fresh fish, Pengelly’s sells prepared shellfish that is ready to eat immediately.
I occasionally enjoyed lunch here with their prepared shellfish, including cockles, whelks, mussels, and octopus.
Ferry Across The River
The ferry from East to West Looe, or vice versa, is a small boat operated by locals and a handy shortcut. The ferry can carry up to 12 people, and it is dog-friendly.
The views from the ferry are well worth the ride, including harbour and river views.
Enjoy A Pasty From The Cornish Bakery
One of the best places for Cornish pasties in the seaside town is the Cornish Bakery, which sells a range of cakes and pasties. I visited the Cornish Bakery after a long walk from Talland Bay and needed sustenance quickly.
It was late in the day, and all pastries were half price. However, no traditional meat versions were available. I opted to try two versions: a vegan spicy cauliflower version. The second was the sweet potato and feta cheese version. Cheese pasties rarely appeal, but the feta one was delicious.
Quayside Fresh
On the quay is Quayside Fresh, a farm shop selling a wide range of food. The farm shop is also home to the local post office, where you can withdraw cash at the counter and access other services.
The food here was delicious, particularly the fresh, colourful local veg. We used this many times on our barbecue. Their fridges have many types of meat; these are excellent quality and locally sourced. The shop has a section for herbs and spices. Bread and sundries were also available in the shop, including sandwich fillers such as local cheese. This was also the only store I found with a consistent supply of disposable barbecues.
The Sandwich Bar
On a side street from the quay is The Sandwich Bar, a takeaway food shop. They had many options, including breakfast rolls and seafood. I opted for the day’s special, a lobster roll with salad, accompanied by a pot or two of local shellfish.
Purely Cornish Farm Shop & Deli
Near the central car park is the delightful Purely Cornish Farm Shop & Deli. The deli stocks some fine local produce, including local beers and wines. After perusing the options, I plumped for Morvenna Rum. This spiced rum from The Cornish Distilling Co. is absolutely delicious and smooth.
Portnadler Bay
Just under an hour’s walk along the coast path from Looe towards Polperro is Portnadler Bay. Portnadler Bay has a secluded beach at the end of a steep path. The trail above has some fantastic views, including towards the island.
Sunrise
One of my favourite times of day is getting up early to watch the sunrise. The coast path and countryside to the west of the town are brilliant for watching the early sun. We enjoyed lots of sunrises from our nearby campsite and recommend the Tencreek-to-West Looe walking route.
Day Trip To Polperro
The nearby village of Polperro is a beautiful place to visit locally. There are lots of nice places for seafood, a beach and a tidal pool to enjoy. You can reach Polperro by bus or enjoy a long walk along the rugged coastline. Polperro also has some fantastic restaurants where you can enjoy local seafood, enhancing a day trip.
Day Trip To Polruan & Fowey
It is also nice to visit the nearby towns and villages of Fowey and Polruan. A ferry across the river connects these coastal towns. There are buses along the coast from Looe to the ferry. Both have interesting things to do and have a beach for a dip in the sea. Highlights for me include the castles, harbour and the pretty views.
Looe Visitor Information
Some helpful information to help you plan a holiday in Looe.
Where to stay nearby?
I stayed in the hills to the west of the town, a 30-minute walk from the town, at Tencreek Holiday Park. There are also options for self-catering holiday parks and hotels. You can find accommodation options on the Booking.com website to suit most budgets and tastes.
How To Get Here?
The town is easy to reach by road or by train. Looe railway station is on a branch line off the main Cornwall line. You need to change trains at Liskeard and then enjoy a stunning journey down the valley to arrive. Buses are pretty regular from Plymouth, where you can connect with the National Express coach network.
Where To Eat or Drink Out
As I was travelling with the dog in tow, I visited dog-friendly pubs and restaurants. The town has an abundance of options, many of which allow canine guests.
Is Looe in Cornwall Worth Visiting?
Looe is a pleasant town to visit or stay at for a UK staycation. There are loads of things to see or do to keep yourselves entertained. The local scenery is great, making it ideal for a stroll or a longer hike.
The beaches are perfect for a paddle with a dog, and the local eateries serve good food. For those on a self-catering holiday, there are many options to buy delicious locally produced food, including Quayside Fresh.