Looe’s cobbled streets are lined with independent shops, boutiques and places to eat and drink; all leading down to the busy quayside where it’s evident that fishing is still a big business – this is a town which bustles all year round. The town is divided by the river that shares its name; quieter West Looe is reached via a seven-arched bridge or the popular foot ferry; once there it’s a 5.5-mile walk along the South West Coast Path to pretty Polperro, notorious once as a hot spot for smuggling. En route, you’ll pass Talland Bay, where there are two beaches and lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. If you’re more in the mood for a swim and sunbathe, the sands of East Looe’s main beach slope gently and are a regular sun trap. Book a glass-bottomed boat excursion or mackerel fishing trip to see more of the coastline. Alternatively, learn about the marine nature reserve of St George’s Island, a mile offshore, on board a boat trip with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Add The Old Sardine Factory and Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary to your holiday to-do list and you’ll have a holiday full of contrast.
Historic Buller Street begins at the East Looe quayside and is lined with shops selling all manner of holiday essentials and souvenirs. There’s hustle and bustle at pavement level, but once inside this second-floor apartment, the pace of life changes as contemporary furnishings and original features create a cosy holiday hideaway. One of several similarly styled apartments, it’s reached first by steps up from the street and then via a further flight of stairs to the front door; once inside, the accommodation is all on one level and in keeping with the cheerful character of the shop below. An open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner has whitewashed stone walls, dual aspect windows that let in lots of light and allow views across the river, and comfortable seating from which you can watch the world go by or curl up in front of the TV. A cottage-style kitchen area features colourful tiles and all you’d need to cook up a treat, and there’s a modern shower room with floor-to-ceiling tiles and underfloor heating. Period detailing continues in the gorgeous bedroom, where exposed wooden beams and an iron bedstead set the scene for restful nights. There’s plenty of wardrobe space too, so you can unpack and make yourself right at home.
While there is no outdoor space with this property, the beach is only 200 metres away.