An enchanting fishing village in the south of England, nestled in a cliff ravine on a spectacular coastline, has barely changed since it was home to a community of smugglers
It’s like stepping back in time visiting a picture-postcard seaside town in Cornwall and even its residents say ‘it’s like living in a fairytale’.
The coast of Cornwall is known for its unrivalled beauty with miles of breathtaking beaches, secluded coves and dramatic cliffs. It also has an infamous history of smuggling dating back to the Middle Ages and especially prevalent in the 18th and 19th centuries as communities tried to avoid hefty taxes on imported goods.
The coves and villages of the rugged shores provided ideal spots for hideouts to store their contraband. The smugglers are obviously long gone but one peaceful fishing village nestled in a ravine still looks like something out of a pirate storybook.
Polperro in south east Cornwall lies a few miles along the coast from the equally charming village of Looe. Its quaint cottages sit in a jumble on the sides of the valley and are “unmistakably the work of a Cornish fisherman” according to Cornwall Online, which also recommends a visit to the smuggling museum to uncover the darker secrets of the area’s past. “Today, in cellars where furtive smugglers once dodged the customs men’s muskets, you can see displays of local crafts and fishermen’s smocks, or you can dine in style at one of Polperro’s excellent restaurants,” it says.
The narrow and winding traffic-free streets lead down to the picturesque harbour which is full of boats bobbing about because Polperro is still a working fishing village. There is a small sandy beach in front of Willy Wilcox cave and a tidal sea pool that are popular with holidaymakers. Boat trips can be booked to enjoy the coastline from the water or try your hand at landing a catch.
During the summer months, the village can become busy and much of its income comes from tourism. Although lots of the locals have moved from the centre up to the hillsides, they insist there is still a strong sense of community there. Artist Jasmine Rebecca Cave lives 40 minutes away in Carlyon Bay near St Austell and has a tiny kiosk gallery in Polperro. She says it’s still a great place to be during the quieter winter months. Jasmine told The Express: “It’s an amazing community here. I probably know more people here than I do where I live – you just can’t avoid people here, so you get to know everyone. The community stays really vibrant, even in the winter. It’s a lovely atmosphere – very quirky.”
Others who have visited the village shared their experiences on Tripadvisor. One who described it as a “picture postcard Cornish seaside village” went on to write: “Quaint Cornish village harbour free of traffic. Parking for visitors at the top end of the village, with nice walks and views along the harbour. Small beach and a cave to spend some time, tide permitting. Small boats were ferrying people to the English Channel, and to other coastal villages nearby.” Another said: “Couldn’t believe we’re still in the uk. The most perfect place in Cornwall. So beautiful. The little beach was great especially as we had it alone first thing, lots to look around, plenty to eat. The blue Peter is a quaint pub down by the harbour, great prices. They do boat trips and a taxi to Looe from here. Perfection.”
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