The 5 best beaches near Looe

Looe Beach

Situated directly opposite Harbour House, East Looe beach is a sandy beach framed by the Banjo Pier and Tom Barber's rock.

The beach features a very active open swimming club - the Looe Swimmers - so if you're up for an early morning swim you'll meet lots of new friends.

The beach is very popular during the day so arrive early.

There are various activities and cafe's to keep you occupied. There is also a clean toilet block near the pier.

This is one of the few beaches that do not allow dogs throughout the year, 

Portnadler Beach

One of our favourites, Portnadler is accessed via a 10 minute walk through National Trust fields along the South West Coastal footpath at Hannafore, Looe.

Through two fields, across two streams, and down a wooden staircase and you'll find Portnadler, and even on a hot day you could well have the beach to yourself.

This is a pebble beach, the far end of which gives you easy access to the water in a little bay, but beware of the incoming tide.

A great place for a picnic.  

Talland Bay

If you're felling energetic then Talland Bay is a 1 hour wak from Looe along the South West Coastal Footpath. We'd rate it a 3/5 walk as there are couple of steep (stepped) hills to climb on the way.

But what greets you at the other end is a lovely pebble beach that is popular with locals in the summer, and unknown to tourists.

The beach has two small cafes, and a 5 minute walk up the hill is the superb Talland Bay hotel, a great place for lunch or just a gin and tonic in the sun.

Lansallos Beach

One our favourites.

Park at the National Trust car park and walk down to the medieval church, where you'll find a small pathway.

The path has a stream running by its side, and leads over wooden bridges to an open field that takes you down the valley, past the waterfall and onto the beach.

The beach itself is a lovely, small, horseshoe bay where the pebbles fall to clear deep water perfect for a swim.

Dog friendly.

Lantic Bay

Not for the fainthearted but worth the effort.

We've seen young families cart baby chairs and picninc provisions so it is do-able!

Lantic Bay is one of the jewels of South East Cornwall, and not a tourist in sight. If you are after a family outing, and quality time, this is the place to go.

Park in the National Trust car park and follow the path in the field opposite. This will lead you over open farmland (watch out for the cows), and on the brow of the hill you'll see a small gate and path down to the beach.

This is a steep incline, but safely looked after by the National Trust.

After 5 minutes you'll arrive at a mile long beach in a beautiful bay, and it'll probably just be you and a handful of others.

No toilets, no cafes, no noise.