Congratulations to Denise Jones from Southport - the winner of our September writing competition.

Denise wrote about a holiday in Cornwall’s Looe, and was awarded £50 of Marks & Spencer vouchers for her efforts!

Denise stayed at 12 Creekside in Looe and enjoyed exploring the area’s beaches, family attractions and history.

There’s one Cornwall attraction that never fails to lure guests of our Looe holiday cottages, and that’s The Monkey Sanctuary!

Not only is The Monkey Sanctuary a beautiful wildlife park, and home to dozens of seriously cute residents, but it’s also a rare chance to see how a working sanctuary works.

Reopening for the season on 1 April, the sanctuary has rescued and cared for unwanted and former pet monkeys for more than 40 years, and it’s a fascinating attraction.

Two weeks of indulgent food events and celebrations are due to take place at the Autumn Taste South East Cornwall Festival, which will be held between 07 and 21 November in the stunning fishing town of Looe. The Taste East Cornwall Festival is a culinary spectacle for all to enjoy! Each Saturday a deli, breads and cakes market will be held at the award winning Trawlers Restaurant, where you can also indulge in the two course festival special menu for just £10 per person. A seven course festival taster menu will also be available at Barclay House for just £35 per guest or £48 per guest to include three glasses of carefully matched wines. There's even a foodie mystery tour of the very best producers of food in South East Cornwall.

 

Looe in Cornwall has an ancient history spanning thousands of years. Still a major fishing port, the town is one of two halves with the river dissecting it. A bridge joins East Looe and West Looe, with the eastern half of the town containing a bustling harbour, the main shopping centre and a sandy beach. West Looe is quieter, with many of the town's hotels being located here to take advantage of the stunning view over the bay.

Looe is one of Cornwall's hidden gems. Set off the beaten track and away from the more tourist-driven towns, Looe is still a working port and is a vibrant town both during the summer season and throughout the year. Its strong, maritime connection continues to play a key role in the life of the town, with festivals and events throughout the year to celebrate the town's links with the sea.

Looe in Cornwall has all the ingredients of an ideal Cornish town. The earliest mention of the town is in 1201, when East Looe and West Looe were two separate villages. They were known as ‘planted boroughs' and were joined by an estuary bridge in 1411. This ‘split identity' makes Looe a unique location, filled with history and the perfect destination for a self-catering holiday.

Looe is in south Cornwall and lies at the mouth of a protected bay, making the water safe for swimming and diving. Surrounded by cliffs and rolling countryside, it nestles around its thriving harbour, where Cornish fishing boats still land their catch on the harbour walls. As it is a small town the most common type of accommodation available is self-catering, which offers visitors the freedom to design their own itinerary. Accommodation varies from cottages located in the centre of town, giving easy access to amenities and shops, to barn conversions and farmhouses further inland, which may be suitable for larger parties.

Nearly all the cottages in the town available for self-catering holidays have dramatic sea views, overlooking the towering cliffs that surround the harbour and the tranquil bay that stretches out from the harbour. Lets such as the Old School House have been beautifully restored to offer visitors luxury accommodation in a tranquil setting.

If it's a romantic break away that you are looking for, then Looe offers some of the best self-catering accommodation available for a weekend away for two. The smaller cottages available give you a chance to snuggle up in front of an open fire in a cozy setting with stunning views that will provide a perfect backdrop to a relaxing holiday. Looe is justifiably proud of its nautical heritage, and fresh fish and seafood is a common feature of restaurants in the town. Cornish produce has a reputation for being of the highest quality, so if you fancy a night off from self-catering cuisine, you can choose from simple but tasty fish and chips to a full, a la carte menu, all washed down with locally produced Cornish ale.