Polperro
Impossibly pretty fishing port
Picturesque Polperro features in countless selfies, thanks to a crab claw harbour, jumble of rooftops, whitewashed cottages and mazy lanes. Inevitably it’s firmly on the tourist radar - in summer visit early or late in the day if you can.
Lanes lined with ice-cream parlours, clothes shops and cafes wind down to the harbour – a pocket-sized beach is just beyond. It gets swallowed up at high tide and can get busy, but is a beautiful spot.
It’s worth hunting out the bijou tidal swim spot of Chapel Pool. Tucked away at the foot of steep steps some 300m south of the harbour, it also disappears at high tide.
Polperro was once home to swarms of smugglers. Their stories are told in the Polperro Harbour Museum, which also features fishing exhibits, sepia photos and ships models.
Apr-Sep Polperro is off limits to cars during the day
Polperro Main Car Park
• The Coombes. PL13 2PL (this entry’s map location)
• Half a mile north of the village centre
• Cars per 3/9 hours £5/9
polperro.org