The south-west counties of Devon and Cornwall offer a long beautiful coastline with towering cliffs, sandy beaches, seaside resorts and some spectacularly picturesque fishing and harbour villages. On our trip to the Land's End, we had a chance to visit a few of those many villages, which we feel are absolute must-see.
Polperro
To the south of Looe in Cornwall, lies the quaint picturesque fishing village of Polperro. The narrow lanes, the white houses, the nice pubs here and there, the small harbour - everything oozes beauty and character. Be there at sunset when it is generally quiet and less crowded making it more attractive and peaceful. You can spend a relaxing time at the harbour or have a sumptuous meal at a local pub. If you are more of a shops-and-souvenirs person, visit during the day as most of the shops close around 5:00 PM.
What to see: Walk the narrow lanes of the village, visit the small cute shops for any souvenir, go to the harbour or take a walk along the cliffs.
Where to eat: Have fish and chips or seafood platter or if you want to go offbeat, try an alpaca burger at the oldest pub of Polperro - "The Three Pilchards".
Other information: Park your car at the Polperro Car Park just outside the village (£5 for 3 hours) and take a 10-15 mins stroll to the harbour.
Boscastle
Whether you have ample time or not, Boscastle is one place you should visit or at least have a quick stopover if you have real shortage of time. On a bright sunny day, this lovely and lively village of Cornwall attracts loads of tourists who just want to grab a beer at the local pubs, get wet in River Valency, walk their dogs or just sun bathe and have a good a time. Some enthusiasts go for the coastal walk to grab a great view of the harbour.
What to see: The area itself is nice for walk or relaxing on the grass. You can visit the Boscastle Visitor Centre or the Witchcraft Museum.
Where to eat: Grab a beer at Harbour Light Tea Garden or a quick bite at the National Trust cafe.
Other information: Park along Old Road just opposite to the harbour area free of cost. However, this is a very narrow and steep road and if you have a big car, it is recommended not to park here but at Cobweb Car Park.
Port Isaac
Another hidden gem along the northern coast of Cornwall is Port Issac. We were heading towards Bude from Penzance and wanted to have a last stop somewhere before checking into our hotel. We searched up Google Maps to find this place and could not have asked for a better sunset. The golden lights on the coast, the deep blue waters, walking down the almost deserted coastal path towards the village, friendly sea gulls sitting on the walls greeting you, a lovely peek at the village and the harbour from the top - all summed up to a nice and peaceful end to the day.
What to see: Walk the coastal path or explore the village.
Where to eat: Have a scone at the Cornish Cove.
Other information: Park your car at St. Endellion Car Park for £5 but it is free after 6:30 PM; walk down from the car park and along the coastal path towards Port Isaac.
Clovelly
Moving on from Cornwall, one of the most popular fishing villages in Devon is the idyllic village of Clovelly. Noted for its pedestrianised cobbled lanes and donkeys, this village is a perfect setting for some awesome pictures. At the quay, you can see fishermen with their fishing rods waiting for a big catch or some uninterested locals having beer and a good chat or a few excited tourists (like us) stopping at every other step to take a picture and enjoy the view. And yes, feline lovers are in for a treat as well, as you will find cats in every nook and corner of the village.
What to see: Visit Queen Victoria's Fountain, Fisherman's Cottage, Kingsley Museum, Clovelly Waterfalls or just explore the cobbled lanes and walk down to the quay.
Where to eat: New Inn hotel or Cottage Tea Rooms and Garden at the village or Harbour Restaurant situated further down at the quay.
Other information: The entry fee for Clovelly is £ 7.75 and there is a big car park in front of the visitor centre with no extra parking fee.
For more: Read our blog Clovelly - A charming village in Devon
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