Welcome to Looe

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Looe

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Holidays in Looe

The Medieval town of Looe is divided by the River Looe. Once two separate towns, East and West Looe are joined by the 19th Century bridge, with its seven famous arches stretching across the river.

Choose Looe for your holiday and you'll find plenty of ways to fill your days. Enjoy the quaint streets with an array of eateries, shops and galleries, and spend your days relaxing on the sandy Looe Beach or rock-pooling at Hannafore Beach. Head along the coast and you'll find the village of Downderry in one direction, and Polperro in the other. Why not walk the coastal path along to these villages for an energetic day out.

Split in two by the River Looe, this beautiful fishing town is connected by a single bridge. The East side is home to the majority of shops and restaurants and also where you will find the beautiful East Looe beach. The West side is much quieter, with a few shops and galleries, but is mainly comprised of residential and holiday accommodation.

Did you know...

In Cornish, Looe means 'Deep water inlet'.

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It’s easy to see why Looe has been a popular holiday destination for decades.

Looe Island, located one mile offshore, is a beautiful nature reserve; day trips can be booked to visit the island.

Boats glide peacefully through the reflective water, leaving ripples behind them.

Ever popular, Looe beach is the perfect choice for a family day out.

Sit down and take a moment to soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful seaside town.

Picture perfect, Looe is a stunning location, no matter what time of year you visit.

Picturesque and pretty, Looe is a beautiful coastal town on the south coast.

Head to Looe Pier to appreciate the town from a different angle.

Mind your chips!

On a summer’s day, cool off with a paddle in the shallow waters.

Treat yourself to some freshly-caught fish.

Take a moment to stop and learn a little about the Cornish seas.

Be sure to visit the shops to purchase some gifts and support the local businesses.

If you’re visiting Looe, book a boat trip and you won’t be disappointed.

Try your hand at crabbing; what will you catch?

No need to pack all your beach equipment, you can simply hire it on arrival!

Leafy green trees reflect on the mirrored surface of the glistening water.

Superstar, built in 1972, is a classic working speedboat; you won’t want to miss a ride on this boat!

With paddleboards and kayaks available to hire, you can give a range of watersports a try on the gentle waters at Looe.

Things to do in Looe

Monkey sanctuary

Home to a variety of species of monkey, this is a great place for a family day out. The monkeys here have all been rescued from the primate pet trade, and now enjoy life at the Monkey Sanctuary. There are also gardens, workshops, a gift shop, cafés and picnic areas. Kids love it and it’s educational which is a bonus!

Day trips

From Looe, you can take a variety of boat trips. Whether it’s aboard a glass bottom boat, or taking a fishing trip to catch mackerel, a boat trip is a must when staying in Looe.

If you fancy a trip to Liskeard, The Looe Valley railway line runs alongside the East Looe river, and is one of the most scenic railway routes in the country; a great way to experience the surroundings.

10 of the most picturesque harbours in Cornwall

Along with iconic structures such as St Michael’s Mount and The Minack Theatre that are built into their striking surrounds, Cornwall is home to a host of must-see harbours that stand as beautiful attractions themselves.

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Looe Island

What was once owned and occupied by the two Atkins sisters, Looe Island is now owned by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and managed for the benefit of wildlife. It lies just a mile from the coast and is partly wooded with magnificent views to Prawle Point, Devon to the North and the Lizard Peninsula to the South. It’s open to the public during the high season with boat rides available to get you there. With its exceptionally mild climate, daffodils are in bloom at Christmas and during the summer you can enjoy safe bathing with a natural rock swimming pool, coves, caves and plenty of woodland walks.

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Nearby events

Falmouth Oyster Festival

Celebrate the start of the Oyster season at Falmouth's Events Square. Get involved with food demonstrations, browse local craft stalls and taste some spectacular seafood!

8th - 11th October 2026

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Mevagissey Shanty Festival

The Mevagissey Shanty Festival showcases shanty and accapella groups from all over the UK. The event begins at 7pm on the Friday and will continue on the Saturday at 11am. The main stage at Mevagissey Activity Centre also features a Cornish beer festival.

16th - 18th October 2026

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The Makers Cornwall Christmas Fair

Browse an impressive selection of Cornish crafts and delicious food on the Piazza in Truro. It's a great place to find special Christmas gifts for loved ones with plenty of choice from local artisans, artists and food and drink producers.

6th - 8th Nov 2026

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Eden Project Winter Festival

Winter is perhaps the most magical time of year to visit the Eden Project, especially as the sun sets over the biomes. Illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, the biomes come alive for the festive season, offering an immersive experience like no other. Make the most of your visit with a spin on the ice rink, and a visit to Father Christmas!

20th Nov 2026 - 2nd Jan 2027

Charlestown Christmas Market

Located at Penrice Academy, Charlestown Christmas Market hosts 100 Cornish traders, showcasing some of the best food, drinks and crafts in Cornwall, alongside live entertainment. With plenty of parking and an inside venue, it's perfect for some Christmas shopping.

21st - 22nd Nov 2026

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Truro Winter Gift Fayre

Find the perfect presents for your nearest and dearest at Truro's Winter Gift Fayre. You can expect to find luxury food and drink, festive decorations and gorgeous gifts, with more than 80 stalls from local South West producers.

Dec 2026

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Fowey Christmas Market

Head to Fowey for a weekend of festivities! Get your Christmas shopping underway with over 100 local traders selling high quality food, drink and crafts, while enjoying some live music and entertainment.

4th - 6th Dec 2026

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The Daphne Du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival

The Daphne Du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival is a celebration of the arts featuring world-class authors, speakers and musicians. This year's festival will open with a performance by the highly acclaimed 'The Overtones'.

7th - 15th May 2027

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Helston Flora Day

An ancient annual event, Helston Flora Day features traditional dances throughout the day, where crowds line the streets to watch the procession. In addition, visitors can enjoy craft, food and drinks stalls, as well as a large fairground.

8th May 2027

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Eden Sessions

Experience world-class live music in the natural amphitheatre of Eden. Upcoming performers include Bastille, Snow Patrol, Becky Hill, Bowling For Soup, Pixies, and The Maccabees. Tickets also include a daytime pass to the Eden Project.

June/July 2027

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International Sea Shanty Festival, Falmouth

The Falmouth Sea Shanty was founded and is organised by Falmouth Shout. Sea Shanty events aim to preserve and promote the maritime heritage of Falmouth and Cornwall as a whole and are thoroughly enjoyable.

18th - 20th June 2027

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Mevagissey Feast Week

Celebrated since 1754, Mevagissey Feast Week is a celebration of food, music, dance and more. With a host of colourful events being held throughout the week, this is a festival not to be missed!

Late July 2027

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Stithians Show

Celebrated since the early 1800s, the Stihtains Show is a fine agricultural event showcasing animals, arts and crafts, food and drink, music and more. This year's events will be virtual, so you can watch and interact online!

12th July 2027

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Charlestown Regatta

Enjoy a week of live music, watersports, competitions, pasty-making, children's sports, raft races and a carnival, all with the backdrop of the famous Georgian harbour in Charlestown.

31st July - 6th August 2027

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Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week

Falmouth Week is one of the largest sailing regatta's in the south west with more than 300 yachts racing over eight days. The full events line-up includes entertainment in Falmouth's Events Square and offsite activities such as outdoor film screenings and Red Arrow displays.

August 2027

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Fowey Royal Regatta

The Fowey Royal Regatta includes sailing contests, a carnival, the crowning of the Fowey Queen, a pasty-eating contest, and as per tradition, a giant pasty which is shared out among the community.

August 2027

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Looe Music Festival

Taking place each year in September, Looe Music festival offers an eclectic mix of music, with an impressive line-up. Based on the beach and throughout the town, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Visit for a day or the whole weekend, and retire to the comfort of your holiday cottage.

New Year's Eve in Looe

You can enjoy a self catering holiday in Looe all year round, but visit for New Years Eve and you’ll be in for a treat. Looe boasts some of the best New Year celebrations in Cornwall, with fancy dress revellers lining the streets, and fireworks off Banjo Pier; watched and enjoyed by all from the beach, promenade and particularly those staying in holiday cottages on the hills of West Looe.

aspects holidays Self catering holidays in Looe

Welcome to Looe

Holidays in Looe

The Medieval town of Looe is divided by the River Looe. Once two separate towns, East and West Looe are joined by the 19th Century bridge, with its seven famous arches stretching across the river.

Did you know...

Things to do in Looe

10 of the most picturesque harbours in Cornwall

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Cornwall's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Looe Island