Life slows down in South East Cornwall, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still find plenty of things to do. From the bustling working fishing port and fine sandy beaches of Looe, to the old world charm of Polperro, South East Cornwall has many amazing destinations on offer, presenting tourists with a wide range of options for enjoying and exploring some of the UK’s finest natural attractions and outdoor adventure scenes.
Think surf spots, gorgeous gardens, cliff top walks and boat trips. Think strolls along the beach, a bit of wave watching and then a pint in a tradition pub beside a glowing log fire. There is really so much diversity on offer from these small seaside towns, that travelers who overlook a visit here are truly missing out.
The same can be said for the area’s range of accommodation re diversity, as top class hotels sit beside cliff top camping sites, friendly B&Bs rub shoulders with five star self catering cottages, and holiday homes in Looe and Polperro are available all year round.
Cornwall. Photo CC by Giuseppe Milo
Here are a list of things to do in Looe and Polperro.
Explore Extensive Walking Trails
Some of the UK’s finest walking trails are located in Looe and Polperro, and the South West Coast Path, Britain’s longest National Trail, actually runs through Polperro, Looe and Whitsand Bay.
First of all, there is 33 miles of the South West Coast to explore, and the ever changing scenery, hidden coves and plenty of vistas along the way make for some fairly fine coastal walks. Regular buses frequent each stretch of the most popular coastal trails, so you can take in a wonderful day’s walk and not have to worry about walking back.
Inland walking trails are equally as spectacular as the coast, and travelers have the choice between exploring moorlands with foreign rock formations or wooded valleys with beautiful rivers which run under historic medieval bridges.
Cornwall walking trails. Photo CC by Nana B Agyei
Popular hikes and walks include the Polperro to Looe Coast walk (5.5 miles), Chapel Cliff walk (1 mile), Hendersick and Talland Bay loop (2.5 miles), and Whitsand Bay circular walk (6.5 miles).
Looe Tourist Information Centre stocks a great selection of books and maps to help you enjoy walking in the area.
Cornish Gardens
Cornwall’s Gardens have some of the most diverse collections of plants in the world and are a feast of color for the traveler looking to spend time in a tranquil and relaxing environment.
Noteworthy gardens to explore include Eden and Mt Edgcumbe, and Looe is a fantastic base for discovering these Cornish Gardens.
Consider planning your break for the end of March to include a visit to the Cornish Spring Flower Show at Bocconoc House near Lostwithiel. Get some inspiration for the season to come…and perhaps go home with a few floral bargains!
Head to the Beach
Cornwall’s beaches are rated among some of the best in the UK, and even the world. Thanks to the region’s unique position on the UK’s South West peninsula, 80% of Cornwall is surrounded by the sea.
The main beach at East Looe is one of Cornwall’s most popular, but there are plenty of other beaches to be discovered.
Beautiful beaches. Photo CC by Giuseppe Milo
These include East Looe, Hannafore, West Looe, Lantic Bay, Lansallos, and Seaton, as well as Talland and Whitsand Bay.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun way of combining technology with a good old fashioned treasure hunt, and East Cornwall get’s right into the game! They have hidden caches all around the area, so all you need is a GPS device or a smart phone to get started.
Every time you find the treasure trove, choose something from the stash and leave something else for the next person.
Register on http://www.geocaching.com/and then record each treasure you find!
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Featured Photo CC by JackPeasePhotography
