10 Great Things to Do in Looe, Cornwall
Last Updated on May 22, 2026 by Lauren Allen
Situated in South-East Cornwall, the coastal town of Looe is one of the lesser-visited locations. However, it’s a great place to add to your Cornish itinerary. This post will share the very best things to do in Looe that you can’t miss.
10 things to do in Looe, Cornwall:
1. Relax on East Looe Beach
Cornwall is full of beaches. In fact, there are over 300 in the region. This means you are never far away from a beach day and you should definitely have at least one during your trip.
East Looe Beach is a great spot for this. As Looe isn’t as busy as places such as St Ives, the beach is a lot quieter and much more relaxing. Just don’t forget to pack your beach towel and a book…
2. Hit up the shops
I’m not always one for shopping whilst on holiday, but Cornwall definitely changed that. The region is home to so many beautiful boutique stores selling a range of products from clothing, home decor and much more. Towns and villages such as Padstow, Falmouth and Boscastle are some of the best, but Looe is also a great place to treat yourself.
Along the high street, you will find many shops that are well worth a quick browse, including:
Lottie Loves: An adorable store selling a large selection of beautiful women’s dresses, skirts and accessories.
Seaside Sweets: A must-visit for anyone with a keen sweet tooth.
The Crabb Pot: Has a selection of home interiors, gifts and toys on offer.
3. Visit Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary
Animal lovers may want to make the trip to the Wild Futures monkey sanctuary. For less than £10, visitors can walk around the lovely gardens and watch as the monkeys enjoy their large enclosures. With staff that are so passionate about the well-being of the monkeys, it’s a fantastic place to explore for solo travellers, couples and families alike.
4. Old Guildhall Museum
Discover the unique history of Looe with a visit to the Old Guildhall Museum. At only £2 per ticket, this is one of the cheapest things to do in Cornwall. If you’re a true history buff, this is a great spot to spend half an hour or so. Plus, it’s on the way to the beach, so it’s a win-win!
5. Explore Looe Island
Looe Island is one of the top places to visit in Cornwall if you enjoy spotting wildlife. To get to Looe Island, travellers will need to book an official tour as access to the island is otherwise forbidden. Return journeys to the island via boat cost £10 for adults and £5 for children.
Once on the island, visitors are given around two hours to explore the island and appreciate their surroundings. If you’re lucky, you will spot a variety of different bird species and perhaps some grey seals. Just remember to keep your eyes peeled!
To get clued up on Looe Island and to book your visit, click here.
6. Riverside Amusements Arcade
If you’re anything like me, you’ll love a visit to the Riverside Amusements. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved arcades. Back in the day, the dance mats were my go-to, but now I’m older (and slower on my feet), I tend to opt for the games.
If you’re in the mood to act like a child for a short while, hit up the arcade and have some fun! Go on… No judgment here. Who doesn’t love winning tickets?
7. Stroll along the West Looe River
On a sunny day, consider popping into West Looe River to admire the views. If you enjoy being surrounded by nature, this is one of the best things to do near Looe. Furthermore, you could even take a picnic to enjoy whenever you start to feel a bit peckish!
8. Grab some food at the Old Sardine Factory
Alternatively, you could book a table at the Old Sardine Factory. This restaurant is without a doubt one of the most popular in Looe, as well as being one of the best places to eat in Cornwall. Offering beautiful food presentation, friendly staff and tasty dishes, it’s no wonder this place is so well-loved.
Top tip: If you don’t want to risk being left disappointed, make sure you book ahead of your visit. This place gets booked up fast.
9. Enjoy Cornish Tea at The Old Boathouse
You simply can’t go to Cornwall without savouring at least one Cornish cream tea. Boasting beautiful views out onto Looe harbour, The Old Boathouse is one of the best places to consume cream tea in Cornwall. Enjoy!
10. Adrenalin Quarry
One of the most exciting attractions near Looe, the Adrenalin Quarry offers an array of exhilarating outdoor activities. Situated 20 minutes from the centre of town by car, travellers can enjoy zip-lining, go-karting and much more. If you’re looking for things to do in Cornwall that will give you that adrenaline rush, look no further!
How to get to Looe
Whilst travelling in Cornwall, the best way to get around is to drive. Travelling by car makes it a lot easier to get to places that are a bit off the beaten path. However, Looe does have public transport links, which makes it a little more convenient to get around. You just need to check in advance, as this highly depends on where you are travelling from.
If you are looking to travel by train, there is a railway station in Looe. Whilst it’s around a 45-minute walk into town, it takes less than 10 minutes to get there via taxi or the number 73 bus.
Where to park in Looe
Compared to places such as St Ives and Polperro, parking in Looe is easy. Situated up the hill from the main town, Millpool is a large car park with almost 1000 spaces. As such, it’s highly unlikely that you will struggle to find somewhere to park. Parking costs vary based on how long you plan on staying, but they start from just 80p.
Is Looe worth visiting?
Absolutely. Especially if you are looking to get off the beaten path. Spots such as Port Isaac and St Ives are extremely beautiful, but they bring in a lot of crowds. Looe is still super stunning and I imagine it will rise in popularity over the next few years. If you want to experience this unique town before it succumbs to over-tourism, I recommend visiting sooner rather than later.
How long to spend in Looe
How long to spend in Looe depends on personal interests and the rest of your Cornwall itinerary. If you want to check out all of the places on this list, you will need at least a day. However, if you just fancy a quick wander or a spot of shopping, plan for a couple of hours in the area.
Places to visit near Looe, Cornwall:
Polperro
10 minutes South of Looe by car, Polperro is worth adding to your itinerary. Despite being smaller than Looe, Polperro is no less charming. Some of the best things to do in Polperro include shopping till you drop, indulging in delicious seafood and visiting the heritage museum. Alternatively, you could also pay a visit to the Polperro Model Village to discover everything there is to know about this unique fishing village.
Please note: Parking in Polperro is notoriously difficult. In fact, we skipped Polperro altogether for this exact reason. Due to this, I highly recommend jumping on the number 72 bus from Looe to Polperro. That way, you won’t miss out!
Mevagissey
A 60-minute drive from Looe and boasting one of the most photogenic fishing ports in England, Mevagissey is a must-see for creatives. Photographers will love to snap some pictures here, whilst it’s also a fab place to do a spot of painting. The array of colourful boats and a lively harbour make it one of the coolest places to explore on the South West Coast.
Talland Bay
If you fancy a stroll, consider walking from Looe to Polperro via Talland Bay. Located on the South West Coast Path, the walk is 5.7 miles long and takes approximately 90 minutes. However, this varies depending on your speed, mobility and how many times you stop for a photo or a well-deserved break.
Have you visited this stunning Cornish town? If so, share your favourite thing to do in Looe in the comments section below. I’d love to hear them!
