LOOE, CORNWALL
Local places worth the visit
Looking for exciting places to visit while you’re in Cornwall? We’ve compiled the perfect selection of places to visit in Looe and the surrounding areas to make your visit even more memorable. If you’re looking for beautiful sights to behold, Looe Island Reserve and Eden Project will be perfect for you. Animal lovers can enjoy the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe or Polmartin riding for some horseback adventures. We can’t recommend places to visit in our beautiful historic town without mentioning the sites that show off our precious heritage, so if you want to learn about local history, pay a visit to Polperro Model Village or Looe Museum.
On the more leisurely days, discover more about the local area right near The Bay Talland. See coastal walks, local cafes and more for the perfect day of exploring at your own pace.
Looe Self Drive Boat Hire
Explore the Looe River
The new Whaly boats from Looe Self Drive Boat Hire, equipped with 6hp outboard motors, offer exceptional stability and can comfortably accommodate up to 5 people, making them ideal for exploring the scenic Looe River. Designed for ease of use, these boats are simple to drive, even for beginners, and provide a fun and safe experience on the water. Each boat comes fully equipped with a comprehensive safety kit and meets stringent MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) standards, ensuring peace of mind for all passengers. Lifejackets are provided for everyone, and for safety reasons, at least one person in the group must be 18 years or older to hire the boat. Whether enjoying a leisurely cruise or discovering hidden corners of the river, Looe Self Drive Boat Hire offers a fantastic way to experience the water.
Looe Island Reserve
2 Hour Public Trips (sign up on quayside in East Looe)
Looe Island is a marine nature reserve and the waters around it are teaming with life. The island provides a quiet haven for wildlife, with a variety of habitats.
Looe Island is part of the Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and has a variety of precious wildlife habitats including woodland, maritime, grassland, sand, shingle and rocky reef.
Trips run from approximately Easter until around the end of September. All visits are weather and tide dependent. The crossing via a small passenger boat (Moonraker) takes 20 minutes and you will have about two hours to explore.
- Return boat fee: £7 per adult and £5 per child*, please pay to the boatman.
- Landing fee: £4 per adult and £1 per child*, please pay to the person that welcomes you to the island.
*Child is defined as age 10 and under
Guided Walks (book on-line in advance):
£25 (includes tour, optional slide show, boat and landing fees) per person
Adrenalin Quarry
Lower Clicker Rd, Menheniot, Liskeard, PL14 3PJ
For zip wires, a giant clifftop swing, axe throwing, bouncing off a massive inflatable blob, and coasteering in the lake….
Only 6 miles and 15 mins drive from Looe, Adrenalin Quarry is a stunning beauty spot near Menheniot, Liskeard: easy to get to, just off the A38. A site of special scientific interest, this old flooded quarry has sheer cliffs on 3 sides surrounding a deep lake.
It’s run by a friendly, professional team who know what they’re doing. They’ve spent the last decade finding innovative ways to fill the quarry with heart-palpitating, terror-inducing, mind-boggling rides and attractions. As their tagline says, they’ve been ‘Throwing people off cliffs since 2009’.
Eden Project
Bodelva, Par, PL24 2SG
The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future.
The visitor destination in Cornwall, UK, is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to our striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.
Looe Valley Vineyard
Looe Valley Vineyard, St. Keyne, Looe, PL14 4RN
Looe Valley Vineyard, founded in 2008, is situated on a sunny site in the East Looe Valley in South East Cornwall. Their mission is straightforward – to produce high-quality local artisan wines.
The vineyard is open for summer tours and tastings from May to September. They also provide private tours for groups of 10 or more, as well as guided tastings and talks by arrangement at other locations.
Looe Valley Vineyard offers a 10% discount on tour booking fees, which can be redeemed against wine purchases at the vineyard.
The Monkey Sanctuary
Murrayton House, St Martin, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1NZ
Not perhaps what you might expect to find in Cornwall, The Monkey Sanctuary is a delightful opportunity to learn about its 36 inhabitants, all of whom have distinct characters and personalities. An active rescue centre dealing with individuals that have often not had a very happy start to life, the priority is always their wellbeing, but it’s also an opportunity for guests to meet them and learn about the organization, explore the gardens and cultivated meadows, shop or relax in the café. There’s also a play area for children, with views of the Cornish coast. The sanctuary is closed on Fridays, but otherwise open from March to September (dates vary from year to year, so keep an eye on the website). Prices start at £8.50 per adult and £5 for children, which entitles you to entry for a whole year.
Polmartin Riding
Polmartin Farm Nr, Herodsfoot, Liskeard PL14, 4RE
A beautiful horse riding school offering lessons and trekking in the beautiful and tranquil Cornish countryside, near Lanreath, which is close to Looe and Liskeard. Riding is available all year round, whatever the weather in true British style, and they have some wonderful horses you can find out about on the website before you visit. They offer horse riding lessons, training and trekking, from the very first riding lesson to training for formal BHS qualifications, simple rides out to accompanied endurance races.
Trebah Gardens
Trebah Garden Trust , Mawnan Smith, Near Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5JZ
Experience the magical essence of a sub-tropical Cornish garden, steeped in heritage, creativity, and the spirit of innovation. Four miles of footpaths wind through beautiful exotic planting, transporting you from our little corner of England to sunnier climes. The private beach and countless secret corners offer the perfect escape for all ages. With a unique outdoor theatre and ample space for children and four-legged friends, Trebah is the ideal destination for both family adventures and peaceful solitude. Visitors can enjoy our inspiring spaces and unique events all year round.
