As well as the base for Shadow Tor Studios, East Looe is a delightful town with a working harbor. The town's main industry is scallop, shark and mackerel fishing. In summer, Looe offers the 'traditional' English summer holiday, complete with masses of sunburnt tourists, endless ice-cream and even Punch & Judy shows.

The 'English summer holiday', is a desired taste, so we are thankful that the quieter months of winter offer bright full moons, eerily quiet nights and roaring fires in timbered pubs and inns. Many a ghost story, legend or gruesome tale has been told in these cozy nooks. Grab yourself a pint of deep local ale, pull a stool up next to the old fireplace and soak up the Cornish magic. At times, should the mood be right, you can feel time moving backwards and standing utterly still.


Daytimes in Looe offer much in the way of interest, from local ancient sites to long coastal walks. Within minutes of leaving the main town you can find yourself utterly alone. It's perfect for short breaks, time for contemplation and photographing the landscape undisturbed.

The town itself has many historic buildings, from the Lammana Chapel (with its Celtic roots) to 16th century dwellings and warehouses. The museum itself is housed in the 15th century 'Court House' and prison cells. Like all old buildings, the museum also boasts a ghost or two. Famous visitors include Wilkie Collins (author of famed classics such as The Woman in White) who once wrote about Looe:


From the bridge on each side rise beautifully wooded hills,
and here and there a cottage peeps out of the trees.

Here in this soft and genial atmosphere, hydrangeas and fuchsias
grow luxuriant in the poorest cottage garden,
and the myrtle flourishes close to the sea shore.

Looking lower down the hills, you see the houses of the town
straggling out towards the sea along each bank of the river,
in mazes of little narrow streets.

Curious old quays project over the water, and the prospect of hills,
harbour and houses thus quaintly combined together is
beautifully closed by the English Channel.


Getting there: Looe has both a train station, and several good bus routes. Trains from London's Paddington Station take around 3-4 hours, and depart hourly. Disembark from Liskeard, and jump in a cab to Looe, or catch the scenic Looe Valley Line train along the swamp lands and estuary of the two Looe rivers.

Location: Multimap

Map interests: The rugged coastline is clearly indicated, as well as the museum and landmarks. The celtic chapel of Lammana is located just beyond Hannafore to the south west, and is easily accessed. Just off the map, to the south, is the Island dedicated to St.George. A few lonely houses, (now empty), were once the haunt of smugglers & pirates. Would you expect anything less.
Click to return to the interactive map.

This page forms part of the Barrow Hill: Archaeology Meets Adventure website. if you are lost in the web, or wish to visit the site, please click here: http://www.barrow-hill.co.uk / or http://www.shadowtorstudios.co.uk