Polperro
OS Grid Ref:- SX2050
The picture postcard village of Polperro, three miles south west of Looe, has the reputation of being one of the loveliest fishing villages in Cornwall, with characterful streets descending to a picturesque harbour. A brook flows through the village down to the harbour. Polperro was once a thriving centre for smuggling and is still a working fishing village.
Polperro Harbour
The village has a maze of lanes and alleyways, festooned with hanging baskets, descending down to the water's edge. The House on Props is a fascinating old building, a 16th century inn supported by wooden props, it bestrides the ancient Saxon bridge.
The Methodist preacher John Wesley stayed in the village twice, in 1760 he lodged at the Old Market House on Big Green.
Polperro has some good restaurants and pubs, including the characterful Crumplehorn Inn. A few of the village's inns date back as far as medieval times, the Bucaneer, Three Pilchards and the Blue Peter.
The Bucaneer Pub
Smuggling was in the past a way of life in Polperro. On one particularly famous occasion, excisemen, informed of the fact that a large number of kegs of contraband brandy had been hidden in a cellar above Yellow Rock, proceeded to Polperro to confront the smugglers. On reaching cellar, they found the smugglers, waiting to recieve them and ready to open fire. The excise officer returned to Fowey to collect reinforcements, but the kegs and the smugglers had disappeared on his return.
In attempt to preserve its unique character, cars are not allowed in the village and must be left on the large car park at Crumplehorn Mill Inn at the entry to the village, Gypsy style horse carts and a land rover service carry visitors into Polperro. Fishing trips and pleasure cruises are available from the quayside.
The coastline surrounding the village is part of the South Cornwall Heritage Coast and there are cliff paths leading to the smuggling coves of Talland and Lantivet Bay.
Places of interest
*The Model Village a replica of the village before the arrival of tourism. Open:- Easter - Oct, daily from 10am.
*The Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing situated at the quayside features an exhibition on Polperro and the history of smuggling in the area. Open March - Oct, daily 11am - 5pm.