Looe

Looe

Looe Valley Line

Please note: From Mon 2 to Fri 6 Dec, replacement buses are planned between Plymouth and Liskeard due to track renewal work. Trains will still be running on the Looe Valley Line (Liskeard-Looe). Full details.

Visit the beautiful seaside town of Looe in South East Cornwall.

How to visit by train

Arrive on the Looe Valley Line with great views along the estuary, then explore the narrow streets, harbour, safe beaches and coastal walks.

Looe has a well-earned reputation for great food, so treat yourself at one of the local restaurants or grab some fish and chips or a pasty to die for.

GWR train on the scenic final stretch of the Looe Valley Line

The scenic final two-mile stretch of the Looe Valley Line as it runs alongside the estuary.

Looe harbour

Looe is at its most beautiful with the tide in.

Sign - The Old Lifeboat Station, 1866-1930

Looe is full of character from its narrow streets to its seafront.

East Looe beach and the Banjo Pier

East Looe beach and the famous Banjo Pier, 10 minutes’ walk from Looe station.

The train journey

The best way to visit is on the scenic Looe Valley Line which starts at Liskeard on the Cornish main line.

The 30-minute trip on the Looe Valley Line winds its way through the wooded valley until the views open out over the estuary (best views at high tide – see tide times).

This final two miles is a great for spotting local bird life including little egrets, oyster catchers, curlew and kingfishers.

From Looe station, turn right and take the 10-minute walk into town. It’s a further 5 minutes down to the beach. See map.

GWR train running alongside the estuary on the Looe Valley LineCurlew
East Looe beach

Beach and banjo pier

On a sunny day head straight for the town beach and banjo pier.

This is a safe sandy beach with shops, cafes and amenities close by as well as the Admiral Boscarn pub with its large roof terrace. The beach gets busy in summer so if the weather is good, it is best to get there early.

Explore the town

If it isn’t beach weather there is more than enough to occupy you for a day.

Head into East Looe and get yourself a pasty from the award winning Sarah’s Pasty Shop. This pasty shop is housed in the smallest of buildings in one of East Looe’s back streets but it is worth seeking out as the pasties are out of this world.

Staff make the pasties in front of you, from traditional steak to mackerel and horseradish!

Armed with your pasty, head towards the harbour and here you will find the ferry that connects East and West Looe (the ferry doesn’t run when the tide is out but you can walk around to West Looe via the bridge).

Hop on and travel across the river. Pop into the Old Sardine Factory heritage centre where you can explore the maritime and fishing heritage of Looe, or take a walk to Hannafore (see below) for great views of Looe Island.

West Looe

Scenic walk – Pt 1

Hannafore & views of Looe island

From West Looe, take the short walk to Hannafore (directions), great for rock pools and views across the whole bay and of Looe Island.

Looe Island, also known as St George’s Island, is a nature reserve which you can visit on boat trips from East Looe. The island was inhabited by people as far back as the Iron Age, and at one time was a site for early Christian pilgrimages.

The Island’s most colourful history was throughout the 17th and 18th centuries when it was used by smugglers. There is more on the history of the Island and smuggling in the town in the excellent Old Guildhall Museum in East Looe.

Scenic walk – Pt 2

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH TO POLPERRO

Head down towards the end of Hannafore and you will eventually find a gate that leads into a field and this is where you can access the South West Coast Path. Wander a while, find a bench and enjoy your pasty or if you are feeling fit and keen you can walk the 6 miles to the quaint village of Polperro along the coast path (directions).

The walk is strenuous in places but you will be rewarded with stunning views out to sea and glimpses of deserted coves where you can picture the smugglers of the past. Polperro itself (shown) is picturesque too.

If you do opt to do the whole walk, there is a bus in Polperro that will take you back into Looe at the end of your day before you catch the train back to Liskeard.

Walkers on the Looe to Polperro section of the South West Coast Path

Coming by train

Forgot the hassle of parking in Looe. Instead come by train on the scenic Looe Valley Line.

This begins at Liskeard which is on the Cornish main line. Liskeard Platform 3 for trains to Looe also has its own car park.

30 minutes from Liskeard

1 hr 20 from Plymouth (change at Liskeard)

Trains six days a week all year round. Sunday trains April to October.

From Looe station it is a 10-minute walk into town or 15 minutes to the beach.
See town map.

Looe Station Info new tab Look up train times new tab

Buying Tickets to Looe

Liskeard to Looe

£

5.90

Off-Peak Day Return. Valid after the morning peak, and anytime weekends or Bank Holidays.

WHERE TO BUY
LOOK UP TRAIN TIMES

Great fares from further afield

PLYMOUTH
TO LOOE

£

8.20

Adult Off-Peak Day Return

Fares explained

1hr 20

Approximate journey time

TRURO
TO LOOE

£

14.00

Adult Off-Peak Day Return

Fares explained

1hr 35

Approximate journey time

 

Looe Valley Line

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