- Looe is in Cornwall, England.
- Split by River Looe
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Looe
Looe is a busy fishing town and resort on Cornwall's south coast, split into East and West Looe by the narrow tidal channel of the River Looe and joined by a hump-backed road bridge. The east side holds the main shops, harbour and beach, while the quieter west side rises steeply to the hills.
The story of Looe
East and West Looe were separate medieval boroughs and each returned two members to Parliament before the 1832 Reform Act, making them classic examples of Cornwall's notorious 'rotten boroughs'. The towns were built on pilchard seining, seine fishing and smuggling, with the Old Bridge House on the West Looe riverbank dating from the 16th century. The Liskeard to Looe railway branch opened in 1860 and turned the fishing towns into a popular seaside resort for inland Cornwall. Looe Island, half a mile offshore, is traditionally associated with a medieval Benedictine chapel dedicated to St Michael and was once home to a small community of monks.
Visiting with care
Arrive on the branch railway from Liskeard or park on the East Looe side and cross the bridge to explore both halves of the town. Watch the fishing boats at the harbour, take a mackerel-fishing trip and walk the coast path to Talland Bay.
Interesting facts
- East and West Looe were separate boroughs that each returned two MPs before the 1832 Reform Act.
- The Liskeard to Looe railway opened in 1860 and helped create the resort.
- Looe Island, half a mile offshore, was the site of a medieval Benedictine chapel dedicated to St Michael.
- The town is split by the River Looe and joined by a road bridge at the harbour mouth.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.