Mayhurst, Looe

Looe is Cornwall’s second largest fishing port and hence there is always a lively maritime bustle around the quay area of East Looe, which is connected to the quieter West Looe by a seven arched 19th century bridge over the River Looe. You can also catch the river taxi between East and West Looe. East Looe has narrow cobbled streets, twisting alleyways and plenty of tourist shops, whilst West Looe has a lovely outlook across the harbour. Looe’s viewpoint, Banjo Pier, can be reached from the quay and is a great spot to watch the returning fishing trawlers and look across the bay to Looe Island, which can be walked to occasionally at very low tides. The sandy Looe beach adjoins the pier and is very popular with families because of its safe shallow swimming and vast expanse of sand. There is also a great rock pool area at Hannafore that children will love. West Looe has a Heritage Centre that recently opened in the Old Sardine Factory with a climbing wall and a cafe and the delightful Kilminorth Woods have way marked walks through the majestic oak wood, rich in plant, insect and bird life. Apart from beach activities in this part of south east Cornwall, there are many mining remains on Bodmin Moor and in the Tamar Valley and much of the mining landscape has World Heritage status. This area of Cornwall has inspired writers, such as Daphne du Maurier and much of Bodmin Moor has inspired legends linked with King Arthur. There is much to explore in this beautiful part of Cornwall.