England’s Hidden Fishing Village Overflows with Charming Cottages and Endless Seaside Allure

Although London may have been voted “the world’s best city” several years in a row, the rest of England glitters with hidden gems that often go overlooked by travelers. Despite travel expert Rick Steves declaring all of the United Kingdom as one of his least favourite places in Europe, the country is a dazzling tapestry of fantastic towns and cozy villages beckoning travelers to stop by, like this old market village boasting cozy teashops and cobbled streets. 

If you’ve been looking for a seaside destination with few crowds, look no further than the balmy climes of England’s southwestern county of Cornwall, where you’ll find a quaint fishing village called Polperro. A romantic postcard of delightful stone cottages huddled against rocky crags and green hillocks, with cliffside paths and a view of the boats bobbing in the harbor, Polperro is the perfect coastal getaway.

Get lost wandering Polperro’s picturesque alleyways, absorbing the historic charm as you go. The village is tucked within a small cove that shelters the harbor from the expanse of the English Channel, and during the 1700s this furtive entry point attracted all kinds of smugglers trying to avoid heavy taxes. Boats returning from France would arrive ashore in Polperro with a contraband cargo of tobacco, rum, and gin, along with mounds of salt that were crucial to the villagers for preserving their fish. The drunken sailors may be long gone, but you can still learn all about Polperro’s scandalous past at the Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing, which also has an adjoining tearoom for a quick snack break before you head off to explore the pebbly beach and find a hearty meal.

If you’re only in Polperro on a day trip, then you’ll want to explore as much of the dramatic Cornish coastline as you can. Head straight to Spy House Point, where a small lighthouse guards the cliff just a 10-minute walk east of the village. Enjoy sweeping views of the waves crashing against the rocks, with a panorama of the village down below. From there, hike along the South West Coast Path, a picturesque walking trail dotted with rock pools, beaches, and smugglers’ coves. If you don’t feel like tiring out your feet, jump aboard one of the half-hour cruises with Polperro Boat Trips, operating right at the village’s beach. Picture yourself as an old-time smuggler as you drift along the cliffs and crags, and keep your eyes out for local wildlife like cormorants, seals, and even dolphins.

For travelers aiming to linger on Polperro’s shores a little longer, a stop at the Museum of Smuggling is a must. Though small, the exhibits are an overflowing treasure trove of historic artifacts like nautical equipment and cannonballs, models of old ships, and dioramas of domestic life in a fishing village shaped by smuggling activity.

All that adventuring and seafaring will no doubt leave you feeling peckish, so head over to The Blue Peter Inn for a spot of grub. A quaint cottage right on the waterfront, the inn’s crackling fireplace and exposed beams envelop you in a warm, 18th-century atmosphere. Tuck in to pub favorites like fish and chips with a side of mushy peas, seafood platters, and crispy squid. Grab cocktails at The Pallace right next door, or warm up with crab bisque and scampi at The Three Pilchards, said to be the oldest pub in the village.