Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Looe
Wondering what to do in Looe? This guide lists the area's attractions — zoos, museums, theme parks and more — with distances, so you can plan every day of your trip.
Aquariums
14.3 mi from Looe
National Marine Aquarium
The National Marine Aquarium is the UK's National Aquarium, located in Plymouth and home to the Ocean Conservation Trust charity. Inside you'll find over 5,000 marine animals, the...
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28.1 mi from Looe
Blue Reef Aquarium
Blue Reef Aquarium sits right on Towan Promenade in Newquay, overlooking the beach, and offers an indoor undersea adventure through more than 40 naturally-themed displays, from roc...
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Museums & Galleries
3.3 mi from Looe
Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend
Model village and museum of local legends in Polperro, Cornwall, UK
10.2 mi from Looe
Lostwithiel Museum
Lostwithiel Museum sits in a Georgian building on Fore Street that has served variously as a Corn Exchange, school-room, butchers, magistrate's court, fire station and jail. Opened...
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11.3 mi from Looe
Minions Heritage Centre
Converted Mine Engine House contains maps and historical information about the area
11.4 mi from Looe
H. Elliott
H. Elliott is a small museum in Saltash, set in a former family-run grocer's shop whose ground floor is preserved just as it looked in the 1970s, offering a nostalgic glimpse of sh...
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11.4 mi from Looe
Saltash Heritage Museum
Saltash Heritage Museum is a small local history museum telling the story of Saltash and the surrounding area, with a yearly-changing exhibition exploring different aspects of loca...
13.4 mi from Looe
Shipwreck Treasure Museum
The Shipwreck Treasure Museum located in Charlestown, Cornwall, England, was a historical museum housing over 8,000 artifacts from 165 different shipwrecks. Artifacts included the... — Wikipedia
13.8 mi from Looe
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum
Museum in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom
14 mi from Looe
The Box
The Box is Plymouth's museum, art gallery and archive, combining permanent galleries with changing exhibitions. You can explore collections on the Port of Plymouth and the sea, see...
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14 mi from Looe
Discovering42
Discovering42 is an art, sustainability and science museum in Bodmin, Cornwall, where hands-on exhibits bring physics, chemistry, engineering and environmental themes to life. The...
14.1 mi from Looe
Mayflower Museum
The Mayflower Museum sits in Plymouth, Cornwall, with the exhibition beginning with Wampanoag history and culture thanks to an on-going partnership with members of the Native Ameri...
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14.2 mi from Looe
Bodmin Town Museum
Bodmin Town Museum sits on Mount Folly in the centre of this ancient county town, housed in the basement of the cinema complex on the site of a former Friary. Run entirely by volun...
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15.2 mi from Looe
Jamaica Inn's Daphne du Maurier & Smuggling Museum
This is Jamaica Inn's own Smuggling Museum and Daphne du Maurier collection, set within the historic coaching inn on Bodmin Moor. You'll see The History of Jamaica Inn film, exhibi...
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Theme Parks
5.3 mi from Looe
Adrenalin Quarry
Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned visitor attraction and adventure park in Menheniot, Cornwall, United Kingdom. It opened in Easter 2009, on the site of an old flooded quarry and... — Wikipedia
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23 mi from Looe
Camel Creek Adventure Park
Camel Creek Adventure Park is a family theme park in St. Issey, Cornwall, offering thrilling rides, energetic outdoor fun, all-weather indoor play and animal zones to explore. Ther...
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Water Parks
13.8 mi from Looe
Tinside Lido
Tinside Lido is a 1935 Art Deco lido in the city of Plymouth in southwest England. It is sited beside Plymouth Sound and is overlooked by Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower. The lido... — Wikipedia
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21.5 mi from Looe
Flowrider Cornwall
FlowRider Cornwall is the surf simulator at Retallack Resort, described as Cornwall's only year-round surfing wave. Instructors help riders of any level get up and surfing, with we...
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Zoos & Wildlife
1.9 mi from Looe
The Monkey Sanctuary
The Monkey Sanctuary near St. Martin-by-Looe was a long-standing wildlife sanctuary, originally set up to rescue woolly monkeys from the pet trade and later recognised as the first...
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6.3 mi from Looe
Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary
Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary is a family-run rescue centre near Looe in South East Cornwall, founded in 1989, where neglected or injured animals are given a permanent home. Yo...
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20.2 mi from Looe
Screech Owl Sanctuary
The Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park is a home for owls and other animals located near St Columb Major in Cornwall, England. — Wikipedia
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20.5 mi from Looe
Dartmoor Zoo
Dartmoor Zoological Society is a 33-acre (13 ha) zoo just north of the village of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor, in the county of Devon in the South West of England... — Wikipedia
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27.4 mi from Looe
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is a 13-acre wildlife and botanical garden attraction in the heart of Newquay, Cornwall, first opened in 1969. You can wander through lush gardens, watch keeper talks a...
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Where to stay near Looe
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Looe
Itineraries
- A weekend in Looe: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Looe with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Looe · 2 days
Haunted Britain
From the blog
Looe makes a good base for a mixed few days in Cornwall: animal encounters for the children, small museums for when the weather turns, and a strong spread of castles, forts and historic houses. This guide sorts the main options by type, then suggests how to combine them so you spend more time enjoying yourself and less time in the car.
Family favourites
For animal-loving children, The Monkey Sanctuary and The Tamar Valley Donkey Park are both listed under Looe, so either makes an easy anchor for a family day. The Screech Owl Sanctuary adds birds of prey to the mix. If your children want rides and ponies, Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre is the obvious pick. Older children and teenagers after something livelier may prefer Adrenalin Quarry.
The Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend is a gentler choice that suits a wide age range. It also works well when you want something indoors.
Rainy day options
Cornish weather can change quickly, so it helps to have a few museums lined up. Three of them are listed under Looe:
- Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing, for the local stories of the sea and the people who worked it
- Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend, which pairs naturally with the museum above
- Mayflower Museum
If you don't mind travelling further, you could build a wet-weather day around one area. The Cornwall at War Museum, RAF Davidstow Moor Memorial Museum and Davidstow Creamery Museum are all listed under Bude, so they sit well together. The Mevagissey Museum and Shipwreck Treasure Museum are both listed under St Austell. Over towards Salcombe, you'll find Overbeck's House, the Cookworthy Museum and the Plym Valley Railway.
Outdoors
On a fine day, Tinside Lido is a memorable place for a swim. The donkey park and Adrenalin Quarry also keep you out in the fresh air. Many of the heritage sites below have grounds worth exploring too, so a sunny day is a good time to visit them.
Heritage and history
Castles and forts are well represented here. You can choose from Trematon Castle, Crownhill Fort, the Royal Citadel, Mount Edgcumbe House and Port Eliot. Three sites are National Trust: Cotehele House, Buckland Abbey and The Net Loft. If you're a member, it's worth planning at least one day around them. For something smaller and quieter, Church House and the Monastic Way Exhibition are both listed under Devon.
Grouping attractions into a sensible day
These sites are spread across Cornwall and into Devon, so the most useful thing you can do is check travel times before you set out. Then pair places that are close to each other. A few combinations work well:
- Looe animal day: The Monkey Sanctuary in the morning and The Tamar Valley Donkey Park after lunch.
- Smugglers and stories: Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing and Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend, with Mayflower Museum if you have time left.
- Wartime and Cornish heritage: Cornwall at War Museum and RAF Davidstow Moor Memorial Museum, finishing at Davidstow Creamery Museum.
- National Trust day: Cotehele House, with Buckland Abbey or The Net Loft depending on your route.
Two main attractions a day is usually plenty, especially with younger children.
Where to eat
All of the following have five-star food hygiene ratings:
- Game Of Cones and Ruby's for ice cream
- The Cornish Bakery, a tea room for a sit-down break
- Polperro Bakery for picking up something to eat on the go
- St. Kew Inn, a pub, for a proper meal at the end of the day
Check where each one sits on your route before you rely on it for lunch.
Turning it into a short break
With 385 places to stay on BritStays in the Looe area, you can choose a base that suits how you want to spend your days. Families might want to be near the animal attractions. History lovers might prefer somewhere handy for the castles and National Trust houses.
Three nights works well. Spend one day on the animals, keep a museum day ready for poor weather, and use the third for heritage sites or a longer trip to the Bude museums.
Practical tips
Confirm opening days and times directly with each attraction before you go, as they can vary through the year. Pack layers and waterproofs so a shower doesn't spoil your day. Keep at least one indoor option in reserve. If you plan to visit several National Trust sites, bring your membership card.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best family attractions near Looe?
The Monkey Sanctuary and The Tamar Valley Donkey Park are both listed under Looe. The Screech Owl Sanctuary, Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre, Adrenalin Quarry and Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend are also good family choices.
What can I do in Looe when it rains?
Try the Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing, Polperro Model Village & Land of Legend or the Mayflower Museum, which are all listed under Looe.
Which National Trust properties are included in this area?
Three are National Trust: Cotehele House, Buckland Abbey and The Net Loft.
Are there castles to visit from Looe?
Yes. Heritage options include Trematon Castle, Crownhill Fort, the Royal Citadel, Mount Edgcumbe House and Port Eliot.
Where can I get ice cream around Looe?
Game Of Cones and Ruby's both specialise in ice cream, and both have five-star food hygiene ratings.
How many places to stay are there in the Looe area?
There are 385 places to stay on BritStays in the Looe region.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Looe.