Polperro is a picturesque fishing village in south east Cornwall. It’s quintessentially Cornish with its working harbour, narrow streets and plenty of character. The village comes alive during summer, with local vendors, fishing trips and community events. It’s incredibly dog friendly and well worth a visit. A beautiful example of a traditional Cornish village.
I first visited Polperro when I started university. Our lecturers thought it would be a good idea to hold a team building weekend in the middle of winter. Safe to say, the village was pretty quiet and sleepy in the off-season! However, it’s transformed come summer time and I can really see the appeal!
The river Pol runs through the village and is how it got its name. There’s a fair walk from the main car park via quiet roads. Alternatively you can hop on the Polperro tram, a fleet of stunning converted Morrison/Crompton Electricars, with services operating regularly from the car park. Woody of course prefers to walk and there are plenty of stunning cottages to look at as you pass.
Polperro is home to the Heritage and Smuggling Museum, situated on the harbour. It’s dog friendly throughout, however some exhibits are at floor level so keep your eyes peeled. I caught Woody eyeing up a few fishing nets on display, however fortunately he didn’t act on his chewing urges! There are a variety of exhibits on display in the museum, from photographs of old boats to press cuttings of RNLI rescues. You’re not allowed to take photographs inside due to copyright issues but it’s a great way to learn more about Cornwall’s smuggling past.
There’s plenty of heritage on Polperro’s streets too, such as the iconic Shell House. Mr Samuel Puckey, a retired sailor used his collection of exotic shells to decorate the house. He started the project in 1937 and it took 5 years to complete. You’ll find photographs of Puckey and his friends hard at work in the Polperro Heritage and Smuggling Museum. You can also stay in the house yourself if you fancy, as it’s now a holiday cottage.
Like many Cornish villages, Polperro is incredibly dog friendly. Most cafés accept dogs and even provide water bowls for them during the summer. You’ll pass a pet shop as you walk down to the village, which stocks a variety of local treats and accessories for your dog. There’s also a beach at the bottom of Polperro. It’s very small and only available at low tide. Technically it is dog friendly, however they must be kept on leads between 10am and 6pm.
There’s one last talking point of the village, the year round Noel of Polperro. This shop is any Christmas lover’s dream, as it stocks festive decorations year round. Of course, there’s a daily countdown to Christmas, proudly displayed outside!
Where would you recommend visiting in Polperro?
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