LOOE, CORNWALL

Local places worth the visit

Looking for exciting places to visit while you’re in Cornwall? We’ve compiled the perfect selection of places to visit in Looe and the surrounding areas to make your visit even more memorable. If you’re looking for beautiful sights to behold, Looe Island Reserve and Eden Project will be perfect for you. Animal lovers can enjoy the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe or Polmartin riding for some horseback adventures. We can’t recommend places to visit in our beautiful historic town without mentioning the sites that show off our precious heritage, so if you want to learn about local history, pay a visit to Polperro Model Village or Looe Museum. 

On the more leisurely days, discover more about the local area right near The Bay Talland. See coastal walks, local cafes and more for the perfect day of exploring at your own pace. 

Looe Island Reserve

2 Hour Public Trips (sign up on quayside in East Looe)

Looe Island is a marine nature reserve and the waters around it are teaming with life. The island provides a quiet haven for wildlife, with a variety of habitats.

Looe Island is part of the Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and has a variety of precious wildlife habitats including woodland, maritime, grassland, sand, shingle and rocky reef.

Trips run from approximately Easter until around the end of September. All visits are weather and tide dependent. The crossing via a small passenger boat (Moonraker) takes 20 minutes and you will have about two hours to explore.

  • Return boat fee: £7 per adult and £5 per child*, please pay to the boatman.
  • Landing fee: £4 per adult and £1 per child*, please pay to the person that welcomes you to the island.

*Child is defined as age 10 and under

Guided Walks (book on-line in advance):

£25 (includes tour, optional slide show, boat and landing fees) per person

Find out more


Adrenalin Quarry

Lower Clicker Rd, Menheniot, Liskeard, PL14 3PJ

For zip wires, a giant clifftop swing, axe throwing, bouncing off a massive inflatable blob, and coasteering in the lake….

Only 6 miles and 15 mins drive from Looe, Adrenalin Quarry is a stunning beauty spot near Menheniot, Liskeard: easy to get to, just off the A38. A site of special scientific interest, this old flooded quarry has sheer cliffs on 3 sides surrounding a deep lake.

It’s run by a friendly, professional team who know what they’re doing. They’ve spent the last decade finding innovative ways to fill the quarry with heart-palpitating, terror-inducing, mind-boggling rides and attractions. As their tagline says, they’ve been ‘Throwing people off cliffs since 2009’.

Find out more


Polperro Model Village

Mill Hill, Polperro, Looe, PL13 2RP

An utterly charming day out for the family, Polperro Model Village and Land of Legend is two attractions in one. The village is, quite literally, the coastal town in miniature and has been around for more than 60 years, surviving both fire and floods – so don’t underestimate the strength of these little guys. Meanwhile, Land of Legend is your chance to explore Cornish folklore, derived from tales of pirates and smugglers who thrived in and around Cornwall from the early modern period through to the 19th century. It is a unique show of lights, sound and animation. The site also houses a model railway, and prices are £3 for adults and £2 for children, open daily from Easter to October.

Find out more


Eden Project

Bodelva, Par, PL24 2SG

The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future.

The visitor destination in Cornwall, UK, is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to our striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.

Find out more


Looe Museum

Fore St, The Quay, Looe, PL13 1AA

Owned by the East Loose Town Trust, the Looe Museum is managed by a small community of volunteers, and gives a delightful insight into the history and character of the area. It’s an opportunity to develop your knowledge of the town and locality whether you’re a first time visitor or frequent tourist. They frequently house new exhibitions and take part in local events, acting as a supportive part of the community. In 2016 they celebrated the 150thanniversary of the lifeboats in Looe for example, by loaning some of its objects to the RNLI for a dedicated exhibition. Admission is £2 for adults, £1 for children, and £4.50 for families.

Find out more


The Monkey Sanctuary

Murrayton House, St Martin, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1NZ

Not perhaps what you might expect to find in Cornwall, The Monkey Sanctuary is a delightful opportunity to learn about its 36 inhabitants, all of whom have distinct characters and personalities. An active rescue centre dealing with individuals that have often not had a very happy start to life, the priority is always their wellbeing, but it’s also an opportunity for guests to meet them and learn about the organization, explore the gardens and cultivated meadows, shop or relax in the café. There’s also a play area for children, with views of the Cornish coast. The sanctuary is closed on Fridays, but otherwise open from March to September (dates vary from year to year, so keep an eye on the website). Prices start at £8.50 per adult and £5 for children, which entitles you to entry for a whole year.

Find out more


Polmartin Riding

Polmartin Farm Nr, Herodsfoot, Liskeard PL14, 4RE

A beautiful horse riding school offering lessons and trekking in the beautiful and tranquil Cornish countryside, near Lanreath, which is close to Looe and Liskeard. Riding is available all year round, whatever the weather in true British style, and they have some wonderful horses you can find out about on the website before you visit. They offer horse riding lessons, training and trekking, from the very first riding lesson to training for formal BHS qualifications, simple rides out to accompanied endurance races.

Find out more

Ready to book your next Family Retreat

We have a wide range of accommodation options to suit your needs, and don’t forget we also welcome our four legged friends, so why not book today and find your next perfect family get together.

View Our Cottages

Sign up to our newsletters!

Be the first to find out about upcoming events, offers and useful tips for holidaying in Cornwall including the best places to visit.