Things To Do

Looe Bay Holiday Park Guests of the Black Rock Resort can use the leisure facilities at the Holiday Park. An entertainment pass costs £5 pp. Entry to the swimming pool only costs Adult £3.50, Child £2.50. (prices subject to change) 

The historic twin towns of East and West Looe provide all you could ask of a holiday in Cornwall. Safe beaches, a wide choice of restaurants, excellent walking routes, fishing & boat trips, diving and more.

Looe has one of the largest fishing fleets on the Cornish coast, this means that the fish you eat in the many good restaurants is as fresh as you can get. Away from the restaurants, there’s nothing better than fish and chips whilst sitting on the quayside or a filling Cornish pasty from one of several traditional local bakers.

During the day East Looe beach offers safe swimming, sunbathing or perfect sand for budding castle builders. With all the facilities of the town just behind the beach it makes for an easy relaxing day out. Just beyond the main beach and also at West Looe, the golden sand gives way to rocks and rock pools. Here a whole new world is waiting for those who like exploring, the individual pools changing with every tide.

The more intrepid explorer can take to the water with a mask and snorkel and join the fish as they swim around the rocks or go even further and spend some time diving on the wrecks that lie scattered along the coast. Amongst these is HMS Scylla, an ex-naval frigate, now sitting on the bottom of Whitsand Bay sunk specially in 2004 to become a haven for divers in safe waters just off the coast.

On the water, many of the boatmen offer trips around the bay or up the river. Whilst it may not be common, there is always the chance of seeing a seal or a dolphin playing amongst the waves and if you take a trip on a glass bottom boat, who knows what you might see? If you prefer to stay on dry land, there is nothing more entertaining than sitting on the quayside and dangling a line over the edge to catch crabs. All harmless fun as long as you put the crabs back at the end of the day.

Just off the coast lies Looe Island, for many years owned by two sisters, it is now in the hands of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Operating as a nature reserve, it is possible to take a boat out to the island for a look around during the main season. Looe is a great centre for walkers. Going west via Talland Bay to the old smugglers haunt of Polperro is a must, stunning coastal views, hidden coves and not too many climbs mean this is a very popular walk, and not too strenuous. Away from the coast there are plenty of other walks, from wooded valleys to open moorland.

It is easy to step back in time in what is a largely unspoilt fishing village. Pretty cottages on steep hillsides nestle around a small harbour making it a haven for artists. Its infamous history as a smuggler’s haunt is told in the harbour-side museum, whilst the model village has delighted visitors for many years. The coast on either side of the harbour provides some wonderful walking, if somewhat steep in places! Talland, between Polperro and Looe has a sandy beach with a couple of cafes open in the season. Going the other way, Lansallos is a secluded cove only accessible on foot; just the sort of place smugglers would have landed in times past. 

• Coddy Shack (01503 263091)

• The Old Sail Loft (01503 262131)

• Venus Cafe Beachfront Millendreath (01503 269338)

• Ocean & Earth Thai Restaurant (01503 263080)

• Pepe’s Tex Mex (01503 265832)

• The Smugglers inn 01503 262397

• The Fisherman’s Arms (pub) 01503 265800

Half an hour away over the Tamar Bridge is Historic Plymouth, a city shaped by adventures of the sea, trade and war. Visit the Barbican, Plymouth’s old port, steeped in history where you will find narrow cobbled streets, Elizabethan warehouses, specialist shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants.

Make the ancient crossing to Mount Edgecumbe via the Cremyl Ferry. This route dates back to the 11th century and takes you from the River Tamar to the Mount Edgecumbe House and Country Park where you can relax, explore, ride bikes or have a bite to eat in The Stables Café or The Orangery Restaurant.                                                                                                                                                         

Mayflower Museum:                                                                                                                                            

The museum set over three floors uses interactive graphic panels to explore tales of merchant families, the fishing industry, the military harbour and emigration to the New World.

The best surfing beaches are to be found on the North Cornish coast around Newquay. Watergate Bay — popular with learners Fistral Beach — probably Britain’s most famous surf spot. Lusty Glaze- sheltered beach, good for learners with on the beach water sports activity centre, Wave runners for hire and café. Plus, Mawgan Porth, Crantock Beach- to name but a few!

Just along the coast from the Villa on the south coast is Whitsand Bay, which offers good surfing when the conditions are favourable.