Polperro Harbour Heritage Museum

The narrow cobbled streets of Polperro lead down to a working harbour where fishing boats still tie up alongside pastel-painted cottages - and tucked away here is a small museum that tells the story of how this place actually worked. The Heritage Museum is all about Polperro's real history: the fishing industry that built the village, the boats, the people who made their living from the sea. You'll find artefacts, old photographs, and the kind of detail that makes sense only once you're standing in the village itself, seeing the tight alleyways and understanding how fishermen and their families lived cheek by jowl.

It's the sort of place that takes 45 minutes to an hour, tops - not sprawling, but focused. History buffs will appreciate it more than younger kids, though if your children are already interested in boats or coastal life, they won't find it dull. The real draw is walking around Polperro itself: the harbour is genuinely lovely, with decent fish and chip shops and a proper working atmosphere. The village sits just a couple of miles from Looe, so it fits easily into a wider exploration of the coast.

Based near Killigarth Manor or Tencreek, you're well-positioned for a morning visit here before heading along the coast. Check opening hours before you go - it's a small operation and not always staffed during winter. Admission details are worth confirming too, but expect it to be modest. The village car park fills quickly in summer, so arrive early.