A town of two halves, the beautiful fishing port of Looe is divided into West and East by the River Looe.

With its dramatic scenery, historic charm, and year-round activities, Looe is a great option for homebuyers looking to purchase a seaside residence in Cornwall that still has easy access to Plymouth city centre. Here are some of its other main benefits.

 

1. Affordability

While not as cheap as Cornwall’s inland areas, Looe is distinctly more affordable than some of its better-known coastal neighbours. The average house price of properties sold over the past year was £246,715 according to RightMove, compared with £312,144 in Padstow and £354,034 in Fowey.

2. Historic walking trails

Looe is the final stop (or starting point) of the famous Smuggler’s Way trail – a challenging 37-mile route from Boscastle that requires the use of some expert navigational skills. Traversing Bodmin Moor, the trail encompasses some of Cornwall’s most famous legendary sites, including Jamaica Inn, Roughtor, and Sowden’s Bridge. For hikers who prefer a more sedate weekend stroll, the 5-mile coastal walk from Looe to Polperro is equally scenic and features impressive historic sites, including a 6th century monastery.

3. Lively New Year celebrations

Looe is frequently listed as one of the top 5 places to spend New Year in the UK, largely due to the fact that the town turns into one big fancy dress party. Boats and buildings are decorated for the occasion, and fireworks launched from the pier light up the seafront.

4. Wildlife lover’s paradise

Between Easter and September you can take a small passenger boat to Looe Island, a nature reserve featuring rare plants and wildlife. Grey seals can frequently be spotted sunbathing on the rocks off the island, and nesting birds such as cormorants, shags, and oystercatchers are a common sight. For those who prefer more exotic wildlife, the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary is just four miles from Looe, where visitors can learn about a variety of primates, including Barbary macaques, capuchins, and woolly monkeys.

5. Family friendly

For families with young children who love the beach, Looe is a great place to grow up. The town has a long harbour wall that is ideal for catching crabs from, the Looe Marine Conservation Group regularly runs rockpool rambles for kids to discover local critters, and the sandy beach provides safe swimming. Next to the estuary, the Millpool Centre playground has a range of equipment for older children, while the centre offers a variety of baby and toddler classes.

If you are interested in seeing one of our Looe properties, contact Lillicrap Chilcott today to arrange a viewing. One of our friendly team members will be happy to answer any of your questions.