Polperro guides

The South West Coast Path runs both ways out of Polperro, so most of the best walking starts at the top of the lane. Cliff paths are up-and-down by nature, and the village itself is steep, so allow more time than the miles suggest.

Close to the village

• Around the harbour — A 20 minute amble down the lane to the harbour and back up the other side, past the shops, galleries and the fish quay. Flat by Polperro standards, though the lanes are steep.
• Polperro to Talland Bay — About 1.5 miles each way on the coast path west, up over the cliff and down to a sheltered twin-cove beach with a beach cafe. Moderate, one steady climb out of the village.

A step up

• Polperro to Lansallos — About 3 miles each way east along the National Trust coast, ending at a quiet cove reached through a wooded valley. Moderate, with cliff ups and downs.
• Talland Bay to Looe — Carry on past Talland to Looe, about 5 miles from Polperro in all, for East Looe beach, the Banjo Pier and boat trips. Moderate to strenuous; catch the bus back.

For a full day

• Lansallos to Lantic Bay — Push on past Lansallos towards Pencarrow Head for Lantic Bay, one of the finest beaches on this coast, a steep scramble down to the sand. A full-day out-and-back or a car shuttle.
• Hall Walk, Fowey — A short drive or the Bodinnick ferry away, a classic circular around the Fowey estuary with Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Castle nearby. Easy to moderate.

Polperro has a small harbour rather than a beach, but there is sand within a few minutes and some of Cornwall’s prettiest coves within a short walk or drive.

• Talland Bay — 5 minutes by car or a coast-path walk. A sheltered twin cove between Polperro and Looe, with rock pools and a beach cafe.
• Lansallos — A National Trust cove reached on foot through a wooded valley, about 3 miles along the coast path. Quiet, no facilities, worth the walk.
• Lantic Bay — Towards Pencarrow Head, a steep scramble down to some of the clearest water on this coast. Best at low tide, and not one for young children.
• East Looe — 10 minutes away, the nearest proper sandy beach with cafes, the Banjo Pier and boat trips out to Looe Island.
• Whitsand Bay — Further east on the Rame Peninsula, a long stretch of sand and a big surf-facing sky, about 40 minutes by road.

You do not have to go far. Most of south-east Cornwall’s best days out are inside half an hour.

• Looe — 10 minutes. A working fishing town with East Looe beach, boat trips to Looe Island, and the Monkey Sanctuary on the hill above.
• Fowey — By road or across the Bodinnick car ferry, a sailing town of galleries and good food, with Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Castle for a short walk.
• Lanhydrock — A National Trust house with woodland cycle trails and formal gardens, a good half-day and one of the best family bike rides in Cornwall.
• Bodmin Moor — Open moorland walks, Golitha Falls, and Jamaica Inn for the Daphne du Maurier connection and a lunch stop.

When you want a bigger day out, the whole of Cornwall and the edge of Devon are within reach.

• Eden Project — About 40 minutes near St Austell. The biomes, gardens and events, and a giant undercover space for a wet day.
• Lost Gardens of Heligan — Restored Victorian gardens with the famous mud sculptures, paired well with a visit to Mevagissey harbour nearby.
• Charlestown — A Georgian tall-ships harbour used in Poldark, with quayside cafes and a shipwreck museum, near St Austell.
• Plymouth — About 25 miles and 45 minutes for the Barbican, the Hoe, and the National Marine Aquarium, the largest in the UK.
• Padstow & the north coast — An hour or so across to Padstow, Newquay and the surf beaches when you fancy the other side of Cornwall.

Polperro punches above its size for eating out. A quick word before you travel: opening days change out of season, so it is worth checking, and we are always happy to point you to whatever is best that week.

• In the village — Seven pubs and a good spread of restaurants line the lanes down to the harbour, from harbourside seafood to a proper pint. In summer the best tables book up, so reserve ahead.
• Crumplehorn Inn — At the top of the village by the car park, a 14th-century mill inn and a handy first or last stop, with the tuk-tuks and horse and cart running down to the harbour from here.
• A short drive — Looe and Fowey add more choice, from fish and chips on the quay to smarter dinners, both under 20 minutes away.

We write our own local guides and keep them current. Message us any time for an up-to-date recommendation for your dates.