The history of both Looe & Polperro date back many centuries… from the days of smuggling & pressgangs, to the importance the two ports played over the years in the rich heritage & culture of Cornwall.
Looe
You can learn more about the history of Looe in the Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol (in East Looe) where you can discover a fantastic collection of artefacts charting the history of Looe in a unique setting…..the former Guildhall which was also once a magistrate’s court with its own gaol cells.
For those in looking to discover more about the nautical & fishing history of Looe, the Looe Harbour Heritage Centre, located on the quay in West Looe, is the place to visit.
Polperro
In Polperro, the Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing contains a fascinating insight into the history of fishing and smuggling from the late 18th Century to date. It houses a remarkable photographic record dating from around 1860. The collection is complemented by a wonderful collection of ships models.