Economy of Looe and Polperro

Attractions of Polperro include the South West Coast Path, the 630-mile (1,010 km) long and established walk from Dorset to Somerset which passes through the village, and offers day walks along the scenic local coastline, in particular to Talland Bay close by on the coast path heading East. Westwards, the path passes three large beaches on the way to Fowey: Lansallos Beach, Lantivit Bay and Lantic Bay. Within the village is the Polperro Heritage Museum of Fishing and Smuggling, situated on the harbourside in an old fish processing warehouse, which amongst other things, houses interesting photographs of the village's history. Guided walks are available to show visitors the more interesting parts of the village, and there are boat trips from the harbour to view the coastline which can offer sightings of dolphins and seals.

Several restaurants and seven pubs are located in the village. A holiday and caravan park is situated to the northeast of the village at Carey Park.

Fishing

Fishing was traditionally the principal occupation of Polperro families. For centuries the village has been a pilchard fishing and processing port. Fish have been drawn to the south Cornwall coast to feed in late summer and these brought rich pickings for local fishermen. Once ashore, the fish were salted and pressed and the oil was collected as a by-product and used for heating and lighting. Polperro pilchards were exported to many parts of Europe. Shoals of these fish diminished in the 20th century and pilchard fishing from Polperro died out as its mainstay in the 1960s, but nonetheless approximately twelve commercial fishing vessels still operate from the harbour looking to catch flat fish, scallops, crabs, monkfish, ray, pollock, bass and cod