Nothing is better than walking along the beach, especially when the sun is shining. If you’re looking for a family day out, somewhere to sit and read a book, or enjoy a picnic, there are plenty of beaches near Looe on the south coast of England.
This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase or sign up for anything from this website, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The beaches near Looe Bay are perfect for sunbathing, playing sports, reading or relaxing, wild swimming or paddle boarding, evening stroll or a weekend walk. The list also includes the best dog friendly beaches near Looe South Cornwall.
Cornwall Beaches in Looe | Looe Beaches
East Looe Beach or Looe Bay Cornwall
Right in front of the old town is East Looe Beach, or Looe Bay Beach as it’s also known. Get to it by working through the town centre or via Port Looe. It has a gently sloping sandy beach, making it popular with families for swimming and building sandcastles. You’ll see paddleboarders and wild swimmers in the colder months. Plenty of facilities are nearby, but it is a walk from the car park (about 15 minutes).
🐾 There is an all-year ban; dogs aren’t allowed on the beach
Millendreath Beach
Millendreath Beach, also known as Black Rock Beach, lies at the end of a wooded valley in a sheltered cove with soft sands and rock pools to explore during low tide. The beach is owned by Millendreath Beach Resort, which has accommodation with hot tubs, a bar, a café and a restaurant.
🐾 Dog-friendly year round
Plaidy Beach
Plaidy is a small sand and shingle beach located next to Millendreath Beach. It is for the more adventurous as you need to hike over a hill to get there, and there is no parking. As the beach is south facing, it catches the sun but is also fairly sheltered. There is no lifeguard service, but swimming and snorkelling are generally safe. It’s one of the secret beaches near Looe.
🐾 Dog-friendly all year
Talland Bay
Talland Bay is a quiet beach between Looe and Polperro. You can walk to it via the South West Coast Path. It’s an Area of Outstanding Beauty and a Heritage Coast. The sandy beach is ideal for swimming when the tide is in. When the tide is out, you can see a boiler from a French steam trawler, Marguerite, which ran into the rocks in 1922. You’ll also be able to explore the rock pools and spot sea creatures, from hermit crabs to suckerfish.
There is roadside parking, a small car park near Smugglers Cottage, and pay and display at The Beach Café
🐾 Dog-friendly year round
Hannafore Beach
On the outskirts of Looe sits the West Looe Beach of Hannafore. It is a predominantly shingle beach that reveals some coarse sand and an extensive reef of rock pools at low tide. It is one of Looe’s quieter beaches, popular with dog walkers.
🐾 Dog-friendly all year
Don’t Get Caught Short 💩
Tuff Pets Dog Poop Bags are premium, extra thick, and environmentally friendly, providing a reliable and eco-conscious solution for pet waste. These zero-waste, home-compostable poo bags allow pet owners to care for their pets and the planet simultaneously, making walkies so much easier.
Best Beaches near Looe
Polperro Beach
The beach at Polperro is small. It is just outside the harbour walls, away from the hustle and bustle of the village. Descend the stairs to the beach, sheltered by the cliffs and caves at the harbour entrance. The beach vanishes at high tide.
🐾 Dogs welcome
Downderry Beach
The long beach is spacious; you’re bound to find a good space at low tide. Downderry is a sheltered sand and shingle beach with many rock pools. A small slip road is the access to the beach, and it can also be used to launch boats. There’s a wreck offshore of the Gypsy, which is excellent to find for snorkellers.
🐾 Dog-friendly year round
Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay has impressive character and extraordinary scenery. It’s one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. As one of the sandy beaches near Looe, there are three miles to discover, and the sea is ideal for those who love to hit the waves on a surfboard. It is uneven getting to the beach, and the paths are steep.
🐾 Dog-friendly all year
Parking is free for National Trust Members and Blue Badge holders.
With your National Trust Membership, you can visit over 500 houses, gardens, parks and castles in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from £6.40 per month. Members get:
- Unlimited free entry to all of the properties.
- Essential companion card where you can bring up to two carers if you have a disability. These can be different people; the card is in your name.
- Free parking at the majority of car parks. Some National Trust car parks are in other natural areas like beaches and countryside walks. You can save money just by using their car parks.
- Annually you’ll be sent a handbook full of information about the properties. However, the website is easy to navigate, finding places to visit by area or postcode.
- Regular members magazine, sent three times a year.
- Regular e-newsletters.
- Join by direct debit and get a £15 gift card to spend in the National Trust shops or café.
Portwrinkle
Close to Whitsand Bay is Portwinkle Beach, made of sand and shingle with several rock pools. Portwinkle was a traditional fishing village with 17th Century walls and pilchard cellars that are still standing. The east side of the beach is known as Finnygook Beach, which is popular for surfing near Looe. There’s also a small harbour.
🐾 Seasonal dog ban between Easter and 1 October
Seaton Beach
Seaton near Looe is a famous beach overlooking Lyme Bay. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside at the foot of the wooded Hessenford Valley. The large pebble beach is over a mile long, ideal for swimming or water sports. Running alongside the beach is the esplanade for walking. A children’s play park is also on the green behind the beach.
🐾 Dog-friendly year round
Readymoney Cove
Readymoney Cove is sheltered by cliffs close to the mouth of the River Fowey. The sandy, secluded beach overlooks the village of Polruan. It is popular with wild swimmers, and a slipway is available for SUPs, Kayaks and paddleboarders.
There is also a small café and gift shop, where you can get a freshly made hot drink. The mugs are plastic and reusable, which are collected in a bucket after you’ve finished. Bathrooms are also available. St Catherine’s Castle is also accessible from the beach. It was built by King Henry VIII around 1530 and was designed to defend Fowey Harbour from the French invasion. You will also be rewarded with beautiful views of the Fowey Estuary.
🐾 Dog friendly. Except for July and August between 10am-6pm.
Lantic Bay
This sand and shingle beach is perfect for absorbing fresh sea air. With clear blue water, Lantic Bay, the paradise-like beach, is ideal for paddling and picnicking. You’ll walk along the South West Coast Path for the first part before descending onto the beach. It might not be suitable for those unsteady on their feet or with mobility issues as there are steep and uneven paths down to the beach and obviously the climb back up.
🐾 Dogs welcome
Parking is free for National Trust Members and Blue Badge holders.
Map of the locations
Not sure where the locations are? They are all on this handy map. Zoom in or expand, and find all beaches near Looe.
Places to Visit in Looe Cornwall
Looe is a beauty spot with a rich history, fun attractions, activities, beaches and wonderful places to eat. Plenty of things to do in Looe will keep you entertained. You may recognise Looe as it is where the BBC’s Beyond Paradise is filmed. Shipton Abbot is a fictional town on the Devon coast. However, it is actually Looe in Cornwall.
Book a Tour
Embarking on a tour with Viator promises an enriching and hassle-free experience that’s hard to beat. You’re not just booking a tour; it’s an expertly crafted itinerary curated by locals and seasoned travellers, ensuring you uncover the hidden gems and must-see attractions. From walking tours to culinary adventures and everything in between, Viator offers an extensive range of options tailored to diverse interests and budgets.
Restaurants in Looe
Whether you are eating in one of the pubs or the restaurants, you can expect decent, local food. On every visit, I get a crab sandwich from The Sandwich Bar on Quay Street. There are no seats; it’s takeaway only. However, there are seats nearby where you can enjoy the scenery – and dodge the seagulls!
We all need to refuel and rehydrate. If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get 50% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one at restaurants in Caerphilly. There are over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Places to Stay in Looe
If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book as soon as possible. Prices rise the closer you get to the travel date and are usually displayed per room rather than per person. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
National Trust Holidays
You can stay in cottages, converted farmhouses and campsites in Looe or Fowey with National Trust Holidays. With countryside views, you’ll have all the facilities and home comforts to hand. Including patio areas or gardens and BBQs to enjoy in warmer weather.
National Trust Promo Code
Get 15% off selected cottages for bookings made and taken by 31 May 2024. Use discount code NTAF.
Cornwall Hideaways
Cornwall Hideaways have a massive selection of luxury holiday homes to make your next staycation perfect. Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a family holiday, there’s plenty to choose from. You’ll be able to find properties with the things on your tick list, including dog-friendly, sea views, walking routes or even a log fire. There are barn conversions, cottages, lofts and manor houses.
Sykes Cottages
Sykes Cottages has over 17,500 holiday cottages to rent across the UK, including in Polperro, Looe and the surrounding areas. There are pet-friendly cottages, large holiday homes and even houses with hot tubs. They’ve been operating for over 30 years, so you know you’re booking is in good hands.
Parkdean Resorts
I have stayed at Looe Bay Holiday Park, just one of the holiday parks in Looe. You can even walk to Polperro from here; it is all downhill and takes about 60 minutes. I’d recommend booking a taxi to come home to avoid the steep climb. The caravan park and lodges have a
Places near Looe to Visit
You’ll always be energised when wondering what to do near Looe Cornwall.
The Village of Polperro
How far is Polperro from Looe? It is a short 10-minute drive to Polperro. There are also regular buses and local taxi companies (which are dog friendly). For more adventurous people, you can walk along the West Coast Path and enjoy the incredible sea views. This takes about an hour and a half.
With narrow streets, pretty cottages that cling to the hillside, and a harbour, Polperro is undeniably attractive. You can’t drive into the village (there is a pay and display car park), meaning you explore on foot. Alongside shops, there are plenty of places to eat in Polperro and many things to do in Polperro.
🐾 The village is incredibly dog friendly, including tourist attractions, pubs and restaurants
The Village of Fowey pronounced Foy
If you’re looking for sea air, coastal walks and fascinating history, Fowey in Cornwall is a beautiful place to visit. It is a popular spot with holidaymakers, many tourist attractions, charming narrow lanes, food, drink and nearby beaches. Here are all the things to do in Fowey. The fishing village also overlooks Polruan, where you can also explore by using the ferry.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Things to do in Gunnislake
About 35-minutes from Looe is Gunnislake. It is a picturesque location nestled in the countryside, making it easy to visit many of the local Cornish towns and villages. There are miles of attractions to explore, including Tavistock, Plymouth and Cotehele.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Do you want to be the first to read my latest blog posts? If you have enjoyed reading about the beaches near Looe, you can stay updated with my other travel features by signing up for my mailing list:
Follow me on social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Related Articles
English Heritage places to visit in Devon
