Polperro, Cornwall travel guide and Polperro information

Visit Polperro

Polperro is a fishing port and village situated in a steep sided ravine on the coast of southern Cornwall, between Fowey (to the west) and Looe (to the east).

The protected harbour, lined with pretty fishermen cottages, is the centre of the village for visitors and a very enjoyable place to explore, as are the streets behind as they wind up the hill. There is a surprising variety of architecture in the higgledy-piggledy streets and something new to discover each time you visit, with the sensation that you might discover an 18th century smuggler around each corner...

...of course, the smugglers have long since gone, and instead you will now find a good selection of restaurants, gift shops and art galleries to enjoy (you guessed it, fish a speciality in the restaurants!), but note that Polperro does become rather busy in the peak summer months and you might like to visit early to enjoy Polperro at its best. Happily, cars are not allowed to enter the narrow streets of the village itself so strolling around is a pleasure.

Like many towns on the Cornish, smuggling and fishing played an important part in the early history of Polperro - learn more at the Polperro Heritage Museum in the village.

This part of the coast is called the Gribbin Head-Polperro Heritage Coast and is very impressive in both directions - simply follow the south-west coast path in either direction. Tourist excursions along the coast and fishing trips also leave from Polperro's small harbour.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Cornwall guide and the Cornwall guide.