Looe
A town of two halves — harbour, beaches and an island nature reserve
Divided by a river, defined by the sea
Looe is a town in two halves, split by a tidal river and connected by a bridge. East Looe is the busier, tourist-facing side — pubs, cafes, restaurants, beach and Banjo Pier all within easy reach. The sandy beach is a natural draw for families, with food and amenities close at hand. Along the harbourside, working fish sheds sit alongside restaurants, a reminder that this is still a functioning fishing port as much as a holiday destination. West Looe is quieter — more residential, with 18th century buildings, a scattering of local shops, and St Nicholas Church dating to the 13th century.
Hannafore beach on the western side offers a shingle and rocky shoreline perfect for rockpooling and catching the sun away from the crowds, with Hannafore Point offering spectacular views out to sea and across to Looe Island. The island — formally St George’s Island — was once a holy pilgrimage site and is now a marine nature reserve managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, open to visitors from Easter to September via official boat trips. Looe is also, in recent years, the main filming location for BBC’s Beyond Paradise, standing in for the fictional town of Shipton Abbott.
Looe Highlights
The best of what Looe has to offer
Looe Island
A marine nature reserve just off the coast, once a holy pilgrimage site. Boat trips run Easter to September — one of the more unusual and rewarding half-days out in Cornwall.
East Looe Beach
A popular sandy beach with everything close to hand — ideal for families. The harbour and Banjo Pier make for an easy afternoon combining beach and town.
Beyond Paradise
Looe is the principal filming location for the BBC’s hit series Beyond Paradise, doubling as Shipton Abbott. Fans of the show will recognise the harbour, streets and shopfronts.
Looe Valley Line
One of the most scenic branch lines in the South West — a winding 8-mile railway following the Looe River valley from Liskeard. A beautiful way to arrive and a journey worth taking for its own sake.
Places in Looe
Restaurants, pubs, shops and attractions
Walks near Looe
River valleys, woodland paths and coastal circuits
Getting There
Everything you need to plan your visit
🚆 By Train
The Looe Valley Line runs from Liskeard (on the main Penzance–London line) down to Looe — a beautifully scenic 8-mile journey following the river. One of the best branch line rides in Cornwall.
🅿️ Parking
Looe has several car parks, including the main Millpool car park on the West Looe side. It fills quickly in summer. Arriving early or using the train from Liskeard will save considerable time and frustration.
🚗 By Road
From the A38 take the A387 south to Looe. The approach road into town can be slow in peak season. The B3253 from Hessenford offers an alternative eastern approach avoiding the main bottleneck.