From the Cove shop
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is a busy little fishing town on Cornwall's south-east coast, neatly split into East and West by the river that gives it its name. With a working harbour, a sandy town beach and the wildlife haven of Looe Island just offshore, it blends seaside-holiday charm with a genuine maritime heart.
Beach and cove guide
A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.
Looe is the kind of place where the day is shaped by simple things: tide, weather, a picnic, and time to notice the coast properly.
Families, beach days, coast paths, rock pools and relaxed exploring.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Shop the range
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Plan the final walk from the car park and check whether the beach is easy with pushchairs, tired legs or beach bags.
A useful read before visiting with children, especially for tides, paths, facilities and simple beach expectations.
Look up tide times, swimming guidance and weather before you go, especially on wilder beaches.
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
East Looe
Looe is a fishing town that is divided by the River Looe into East Looe and West Looe.
East Looe has tiny streets that contain the bulk of the shops, restaurants and pubs of Looe and also the fish market.
East Looe has a large sandy beach and also a lifeboat station.
West Looe
West Looe is on the opposite side of the river Looe to East Looe and many of the buildings are built high into the hillside.
A road runs along the quayside and then up over the hill to the west where you will find St Georges Island (also known as Looe Island).
There is also a rocky shoreline with ample parking along the roadside.
Talland Bay
Talland Bay is situated between Looe and Polperro and is accessed by a narrow road so we would only recommend driving down to the beach if you are confident at reversing!The beach is a mixture of amazing coloured rocks, many of them pink and sand.
Sea Fishing in Looe area
Around the Looe area you should easily catch mackerel, dogfish, wrasse and pollock.
Polperro is a good spot for mackerel, wrasse and pollock but it can get very busy with tourists during the summer months.
Fishing off the rocks at Talland Bay is probably the preferred option as it is far less touristy and there are some great spots to fish.
Looe RNLI
The Lifeboats
B-894 Sheila & Dennis Tongue II - B Class Lifeboat
Ollie Naismith - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Established in 1866 and operating from a prime location on Looe’s seafront, Looe lifeboat station is home to two inshore lifeboats, an Atlantic 75 and D class.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Support Looe Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
Looe RNLI
The Lifeboats
B-894 Sheila & Dennis Tongue II - B Class Lifeboat
Ollie Naismith - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Established in 1866 and operating from a prime location on Looe’s seafront, Looe lifeboat station is home to two inshore lifeboats, an Atlantic 75 and D class.
Support Looe Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
