About Looe

If you think of the river carving its way to the sea between steeply-sided hills, you’ll pretty soon see the connection with the Scottish ‘loch’ – as in Loch Ness. Just stretch the vowel a little, soften down the ‘ch’ to a whisper and it’s an easy transition to ‘Looe’. On older maps, it’s written as ‘Loo’ – the ‘e’ may have been added by oh-so-genteel Victorians in an effort to disconnect their town from its lavatorial connotations!

We may not have our own Nessie to bring the tourists in but each year at Christmas our resident sea monster Muirin appears as part of the exceptional display of festive lights festooned around the harbour.

The West Looe May Fayre brings the whole town together for a fun-filled weekend including maypole dancing, music and stalls. The annual RNLI Raft Race in early June sees many community groups and brave (foolhardy?) individuals taking to the water in homemade rafts and attempting to paddle to the bridge and back. The less seaworthy the craft – and some of them barely make it off the beach – the more fun for spectators, who pelt passing rafts with jelly. All good harmless fun!

The Looe Lions Carnival in August once again brings the community together and puts a smile on the faces of visitors and residents. The week-long program of events starts with the traditional Cornish ‘furry’ dance and culminates in the Carnival Procession, when dozens of decorated floats wind their way from Hannafore to East Looe beach.

You really have to experience Looe’s legendary New Year’s Eve fancy dress extravaganza first hand to truly appreciate the joy and the madness of it. This special evening is book-ended by the two – yes, two – magnificent firework displays on the Banjo pier and there aren’t too many places which can offer that! Why not come and stay for New Year and find out what all the fuss is about? We can offer the ultimate hangover cure on New Year’s Day: the RNLI charity swim. Dozens of hardy souls, many still in fancy dress from the night before, plunge into the icy water off East Looe Beach – pure Looenacy. These are the highlights but the fun goes on all year round in lovely, lively Looe! 

Nelson was a real character, truly a ‘grand old man of the sea’ and it was a sad day for the town when he died in 2003. Such was his popularity that a life-size bronze sculpture was commissioned, which you can find on Pennyland Rocks near the entrance to the harbour. The formal unveiling of the sculpture was marked by a Royal Naval Air Squadron flypast in Nelson’s honour. How cool is that?

Nelson now guards the harbour like a sentinel, appreciated by all – a permanent reminder of Looe’s connection with the sea, fishing and the precious marine life that surrounds it.

The town’s history stretches way back into the mists of time – local legend even has it that Jesus Christ himself may have visited Looe Island as a young boy when he accompanied his uncle, Joseph of Arimethea, on a tin trading mission. There aren’t many places on these shores with such a claim to fame! Torched by Spanish raiders in the 15th Century and later losing large numbers of its young men to the Barbary pirates to end their days as slaves in North Africa, Looe has seen its fair share of drama, worthy of any Netflix blockbuster!

The town’s fortunes have gone up and down over the centuries as dependably as the tide but Looe has always looked to the sea for food, income, trade and, more recently, leisure. The working harbour is still the beating heart of the town, with the colourful fleet of fishing boats large and small landing their daily catch on East Looe quay.

Thousands of visitors flock to our little town during the busy summer season in search of sun, sand and seaside fun, with the safe, gently sloping sandy beach being the biggest draw. The historic narrow streets and alleyways of East Looe, all decked out with floral displays created by the volunteers of Looe in Bloom, are thronged with happy holiday makers making their way to and from the beach. They feast on some of the best pasties you’ll find in Cornwall, the freshest fish & chips and lashings of delicious ice cream, learning how to dodge the hungry seagulls as they go!

And when the Cornish weather doesn’t deliver the sunshine the visitors are hoping for, there’s a cornucopia of independent shops, restaurants and cafes where they can shelter from the elements. Visitors with an interest in the town’s heritage can visit the town’s museum in the ancient Guildhall and the recently opened Old Sardine Factory heritage centre in West Looe, both jam-packed with artefacts and historical displays.

No matter what the weather, lovely Looe has something for everyone.