Looe
Looe
| |
|---|---|
Looe Location within Cornwall | |
| Population | 5,311 (Parish, 2021) |
| OS grid reference | SX254533 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LOOE |
| Postcode district | PL13 |
| Dialling code | 01503 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
Looe (/ˈluː/; Cornish: Logh, lit. 'deep water inlet') is a coastal town and civil parish in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It lies 20 miles (32 km) west of Plymouth and 7 miles (11 km) south of Liskeard. At the 2021 census the parish had a population of 5,311.
Looe developed as the two separate towns of East Looe (Cornish: Logh) and West Looe (Cornish: Porthbyghan, lit. "little cove") on opposite sides of the River Looe. The two towns were linked by Looe Bridge from the 15th century, but remained separate boroughs until the 19th century. They were administratively united in 1898.
The town is centred on a small harbour and extends along the steep-sided valley of the River Looe, which flows between East and West Looe to the sea beside a sandy beach. Offshore to the west, opposite the stonier Hannafore Beach, lies Looe Island.