Looe beaches: the best beaches in and near Looe

9 beaches in and around Looe

1. East Looe Beach (Looe Beach) Beyond Paradise

   East Looe, in front of the old town, sheltered by Banjo Pier

   Looe's main town beach is a gently shelving curve of golden sand with rock pools at low tide. Deckchairs and loungers can be hired, there are paid toilets on the seafront and cafés and chip shops a few steps away. No lifeguards. Park at Buller Quay or Millpool and walk.

   Best for: Families, sandcastles, easy paddling, Banjo Pier strolls · Dogs: Dogs not allowed (local guides describe it as an all-year ban).

   On screen: Used regularly: Martha runs her yoga class on the sand, Humphrey sits here after Martha calls off their engagement, and Banjo Pier features in many establishing shots.

2. Second Beach / Little Beach

   East Looe, a small cove reached along the promenade beyond the main beach

   A small, quieter stretch just along the seafront from the main beach, reached on foot via the promenade. It offers a calmer spot when the town beach is packed, with the same town facilities close by. Facilities on the cove itself are minimal and there is no lifeguard cover.

   Best for: Dog owners staying in town, escaping the main-beach crowds · Dogs: Described by a local holiday-let guide as dog-friendly all year; check signage.

3. Hannafore Beach Beyond Paradise

   West Looe, along Marine Drive facing Looe Island

   A long, south-east-facing strip of shingle and coarse sand backed by Marine Drive, with some of the best rock pooling in the area and close-up views of Looe Island. Free roadside parking, public toilets, a seasonal kiosk and the Island View café sit along the front. No lifeguards.

   Best for: Rock pooling, dog walks, Looe Island views · Dogs: Dogs welcome all year.

   On screen: Hannafore Point's rocky causeway is reported as a location for walk-and-talk scenes in Series 4 (single source).

4. Portnadler Bay

   About 1.5 miles south-west of Looe, opposite Looe Island, off the coast path

   A secluded cove reached only on foot by a steep path dropping from the South West Coast Path beyond Hannafore. There are no facilities, no parking and no lifeguards, so bring everything you need and check tide times. The reward is peace and a fine view across to Looe Island.

   Best for: Coast-path walkers, solitude · Dogs: No specific restriction found; treat as an unmanaged beach.

5. Plaidy Beach

   Just east of East Looe, under a mile along the coast path, next to Millendreath

   A small, sheltered, south-facing cove of sand, shingle and impressive rock pools, backed by houses and mostly covered at high tide. There is no car park, toilets or lifeguard, so most people walk from Looe or park at Millendreath and follow the coast path, which is steep in places.

   Best for: Low-tide rock pooling, a quiet swim · Dogs: Dogs welcome all year.

6. Millendreath Beach

   Wooded valley about a mile east of Looe, towards Seaton

   A privately owned, south-facing cove of sand and shingle at the foot of a wooded valley, run alongside a holiday resort. There is a large car park, a beach café and bar, a jetty, a beach sauna and kayak, paddleboard and bodyboard hire. No lifeguards; the beach can disappear at high tide.

   Best for: Watersports hire, families wanting parking and a café · Dogs: Conflicting information: the beach operator lists a seasonal daytime dog ban from May to September; one guide says banned all year, another says dog-friendly. Check with the resort.

7. Seaton Beach

   Seaton, about 5 miles east of Looe at the mouth of the Hessenford valley

   A broad family beach of grey sand and shingle where the River Seaton crosses the shore, making shallow pools for paddling. There is a chargeable council car park, public toilets, the Beach House café, a pub and a play area, with Seaton Valley Countryside Park behind. RNLI lifeguards have patrolled in some summers.

   Best for: Families, paddling, combining with a valley walk · Dogs: Listed by local guides as dog-friendly all year; check council signs in high summer.

8. Downderry Beach

   Downderry, about 6 miles east of Looe, joined to Seaton at low tide

   A mile-long sweep of sand, shingle and rock pools below the village, linked to Seaton on foot at low tide. Access is via a small slipway; facilities are those of the village, including the Inn on the Shore. No lifeguards. The far eastern end towards Battern Cliffs is known as a naturist area.

   Best for: Long beach walks with dogs, rock pools · Dogs: Dogs allowed all year according to local guides.

9. Talland Bay

   Between Looe and Polperro, about an hour's walk west of Looe on the coast path

   Two small coves of sand and rock pools on a protected stretch of Heritage Coast, popular for swimming near high tide and snorkelling. There is a small pay-and-display car park with public toilets, plus the Talland Bay Beach Café. No lifeguards. Combine it with the Looe to Polperro coast walk.

   Best for: Coast-path walkers, snorkelling, a café stop · Dogs: Dogs allowed all year; one guide says dogs should be on a lead between Easter and October.

Dogs on Looe beaches

Cornwall Council's seasonal dog restrictions (PSPO) usually ban dogs 10am-6pm from 1 July to 31 August, or 15 May to 30 September on award beaches; fines are £100. A 2025 consultation proposed keeping these rules for 2026-2028. Several Looe beaches are privately owned or managed and set their own rules, so check signs on arrival.

Parking for Looe beaches

For East Looe Beach and Banjo Pier, use the small harbour car park at Buller Quay or the big Millpool car park (PL13 2AF) and walk across the bridge. Hannafore has limited roadside parking only. Full Looe parking guide →

Sources

• visitlooe.co.uk — beaches
• visitlooe.co.uk — looe beach
• gosouthwestengland.co.uk
• intocornwall.com — azabout beaches.asp
• trenantcottages.co.uk — dog friendly beaches near looe
• cornishcollection.co.uk — dog friendly beaches in looe
• sandytoesholidays.com — explore
• en.wikipedia.org — Portnadler Bay
• letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk — dogsonbeaches
• rnli.org — rnli lifeguards to patrol seaton beach for the first time this summer