Polperro South East Cornwall

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Polperro, the picturesque postcard village sometimes better known for its smuggling past rather than the fishing of pilchards that once were so abundant around the southern Cornish coast.

This pretty coastal village with its Saxon and Roman bridges over the river Pol that runs through Polperro has its own Cornish charm. The fisherman's cottages set into the steep valley and the meandering traffic free streets leading down to the harbour where once, tobacco bales and brandy casks were hauled up at night and the fish by day. The fishing cove of Polperro was the centre for the area's smuggling activities. Visit the old pilchard factory, now the fishing and smuggling museum, to see the times gone by in this old Cornish fishing village.

Today the Village retains most of its 17th century charm and still a working fishing port. At high tide the fishing boats unload their catch, with pots and nets lying about the quayside, much unchanged since the 13th century. When not fishing the fishermen can be found mending their nets and pots on the quay. Some of the fishermen provide fishing and boat trips from the quay at Polperro to Fowey and Looe. You may wish to pick up a late availability deal or short break form the247Tourist last minute availability page.

Visiting yachts can moor in a sheltered bay outside the harbour mouth, the bay and harbour visible from the coastal path setting a seen of times gone by. The coastal path to the east leads to Talland bay and Looe and to the west Lansallos and Lantic bay.

When visiting Polperro cars must be left in the main car park at the northern part of Polperro. From here it’s just a short walk down through Polperro alongside the river Pol. There are horse drawn passenger carts and electric buses going to and from the car park down to Polperro village then just a short walk to the harbour.

The narrow streets in Polperro house the ancient fishermen’s cottages, art galleries, antique and gift shops, local craft shops, pasty shops and fish and chip shops. Polperro’s excellent cafes and fine restaurants serving locally caught seafood not forgetting the old world Inn's and pubs all the way down to the harbour, some with open fires and a cosy atmosphere & Cornish real ale and often with live music.

The Polperro Festival held in June for nine days includes musical performances, dancing and various other artistic activities held in one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall. Polperro has a small sandy beach at low water in the sheltered bay outside the harbour

Over the years tidal surges and the River Pol have flooded Polperro. In the severe floods of 1976 and 1994, the river Pol burst its banks and flooded the centre of Polperro. Many homes and businesses were left under several feet of water, since then a flood relief tunnel has been constructed to take the excess storm water out to sea.

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