Things to do in Looe: All weather fun
There are plenty of things to do in Looe, whatever the weather, so if it happens to be raining a little too much to enjoy a walk in the countryside or build a sandcastle on the beach and you don’t want to stay in your Looe caravan park all week, there are a number of excellent Cornwall attractions that are sure to make a holiday unforgettable.
The Monkey Sanctuary
Nobody can guarantee what the weather in Looe will be, but its top local attraction is sure to make for a great day out anyway. The Monkey Sanctuary is home to 36 monkeys that have had a difficult start to life, including capuchin monkeys, woolly monkeys and Barbary macaques. Each ticket purchased allows entry for a whole year, so feel free to come back again and again to see the playful residents.
The Eden Project
Thousands of people head to the world famous Eden Project on rainy days in Cornwall, and with its warm and dry biome domes, it’s not hard to see why. Since its 2001 opening, the Eden Project has grown to include an education facility, England’s longest zip wire and, as of July 2013, a rainforest aerial walkway. All of this, on top of the thousands of fascinating plant species that have been brought in from across the globe, is well worth seeing during Looe and Polperro holidays.
National Marine Aquarium
Many of those looking for things to do in Looe head over to Plymouth for a day out, and the National Marine Aquarium is undoubtedly the city’s top all-weather attraction. Turtles, rays, sharks, jellyfish, tropical fish and more can all be found at the UK’s biggest aquarium, and various shows, talks and a 4D cinema mean that a visit to Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium is not just about looking at pretty fish in tanks.
Looe Museum
One of the essential things to do in Looe, come rain or shine, is to pay a visit to Looe Museum. A short stroll from any of the Looe car parks, the museum is full of interesting artefacts and hundreds of years of history. The museum is housed in the Old Guildhall, which still retains its 550-year-old prison cells, complete with prisoners!
Carnglaze Caverns
What could be better to keep children occupied and entertained in spite of wet weather in Cornwall than a tour of three gigantic underground caverns? A visit to Carnglaze Caverns has proven to be one of the best things to do in Looe for families, having won a silver award in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2008 for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.
These caverns are known for their reputation as the perfect respite from the cold and rain as they keep a constant temperature of a comforting 10˚C! Alongside the caves and mining heritage there is plenty to explore in the 6.5-acre woodland and Enchanted Dell with faeries and dragons for children to find. Visit the Carnglaze Caverns website for more details on their opening hours and admission prices.
Port Eliot House and Gardens
A short 20 minute drive will bring you to the wonders of Port Eliot House, a beautiful example of Cornish heritage. Once an ancient monastery, this site is more akin to seeing children playing freely on the front lawns than monks in prayer, but it is nonetheless a fantastic example of history in the heart of the southern county. As a Grade 1 listed house and garden it is an equally fun visit for adults as it is children as parents can stand back and admire the site’s grand beauty while children can explore its many acres and rooms.
Porfell Wildlife Park
Finally, why not take your little monsters to meet some furry friends at the Porfell Wildlife Park just a few miles from Looe. The park has been open since 1989, but it has since grown into the county’s largest exotic animal sanctuary and is immensely popular with families visiting the area. With recommendations from the BBC’s Nick Baker, this is one animal sanctuary every family should visit on a trip to Cornwall!
Fun things to do in Looe and nearby
- The Monkey Sanctuary
- The Eden Project
- National Marine Aquarium
- Looe Museum
- Carnglaze Caverns
- Port Eliot House and Gardens
- Porfell Wildlife Park
As you can see, there are some fantastic things to do in Looe and its surrounding areas, no matter what the weather is doing. If you want to stay in Looe for your next holiday, our Cornwall caravan park has everything you need.