Smuggling Polperro
In the early 18th and 19th century Polperro was notorious for smuggling activities, everyone conspired to hide the duty-free goods from the excise men. A man called John Wesley visited in 1762 and noticed the locals were heavily involved in smuggling and later saw the law crackdown on the smuggling within Polperro harbour & coves.
Now overlooking the harbour is Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing. The museum has a remarkable collection of exhibits and photographs from a time when both smuggling and fishing thrived in Polperro. The museum occupies a factory formerly owned by the Teglio family from Italy. Polperro attracted many distinguished artists and photographers, from the end of the 19th century. Some of their work is exhibited in the museum.
Now overlooking the harbour is Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing. The museum has a remarkable collection of exhibits and photographs from a time when both smuggling and fishing thrived in Polperro. The museum occupies a factory formerly owned by the Teglio family from Italy. Polperro attracted many distinguished artists and photographers, from the end of the 19th century. Some of their work is exhibited in the museum.
Now overlooking the harbour is Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing. The museum has a remarkable collection of exhibits and photographs from a time when both smuggling and fishing thrived in Polperro. The museum occupies a factory formerly owned by the Teglio family from Italy. Polperro attracted many distinguished artists and photographers, from the end of the 19th century. Some of their work is exhibited in the museum.
Polperro has a beautiful picturesque wild rocky shore, along with the 80 mile dramatic coastline, from Polperro beautiful walks extend to Talland in the east or Lansallos in the west, both of which have beaches and interesting churches to explore. Along the walks, you can find secluded coves which over the centuries might have been used for smuggling. North of Polperro, the village of Pelynt was the home of Bishop Trelawny, of Hawker’s famous Song of the Western Men, and you can see Trelawney’s chair and crook in the church.
Although Polperro is not known for its beaches, within the harbour front is a small beach surrounded by wooded high cliffs but don’t let the size put you off, this beautiful scenic beach is lovely to sit and relax with the family. If you’d like more space then just south is Lantic Bay a National Trust Beach or you could go north to Looe Beach which has a good amount of room and is backed on by cafes and ice cream shops. Other beaches in the area are Talland Bay, Lansallos Cove, Lantivet Bay, Hannafore beach, and Plaidy Beach.
