Looe Island

Island in Cornwall

England

Looe Island

Coastal Rocks at Hannafore
Coastal Rocks at Hannafore Credit: David Dixon

Looe Island, also known as St. George's Island, is a small island located off the coast of Cornwall, England. Situated approximately one mile from the coastal town of Looe, it is accessible by boat during low tide. The island covers an area of about 22 acres and is privately owned by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Looe Island boasts a rich and diverse history. It was originally inhabited by monks in the early medieval period, who built a chapel and small settlement on the island. Later, it became a popular spot for smuggling activities during the 18th century. Today, remnants of these historic structures can still be seen on the island.

Renowned for its natural beauty, Looe Island is a designated nature reserve and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The island's cliffs and rocky shores provide a nesting site for numerous seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and cormorants. It is also a haven for grey seals and is protected as a seal breeding colony. Visitors to the island can observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust manages the island, ensuring its conservation and protection. Guided tours are available during certain times of the year, allowing visitors to explore the island's unique ecosystem and learn about its history. Additionally, the island offers stunning panoramic views of the picturesque Cornish coastline, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

With its rich history, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking scenery, Looe Island offers a tranquil and captivating experience for all who visit.

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Looe Island Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.337171/-4.4509499 or Grid Reference SX2551. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coastal Rocks at Hannafore
Coastal Rocks at Hannafore
Community Fire Station, West Looe Square
Community Fire Station, West Looe Square
The Church of St Nicholas, Hannafore Road Built in the twelfth or thirteenth century, restored in the mid-nineteenth century. Originally a Parish Church, later used as a guildhall, borough prison and then a school. Grade II* listed building (List Entry Number: 1201132 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1201132?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1201132?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  Historic England).
The Church of St Nicholas, Hannafore Road
Built in the twelfth or thirteenth century, restored in the mid-nineteenth century. Originally a Parish Church, later used as a guildhall, borough prison and then a school. Grade II* listed building (List Entry Number: 1201132 LinkExternal link Historic England).
Looe Harbour
Looe Harbour
Nelson the One-eyed Seal, Looe Harbour From a plaque nearby:
“A distinctive ‘one-eyed’ scarred bull Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus) who was a familiar sight in the harbours of South Cornwall for over 25 years. Eventually he settled on the rocks of Looe Island as his home and then made Looe Harbour his dining room where he was fed and his company enjoyed by local fishermen, townsfolk and countless visitors.”

His statue was unveiled on 28 May 2008.
Nelson the One-eyed Seal, Looe Harbour
From a plaque nearby: “A distinctive ‘one-eyed’ scarred bull Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus) who was a familiar sight in the harbours of South Cornwall for over 25 years. Eventually he settled on the rocks of Looe Island as his home and then made Looe Harbour his dining room where he was fed and his company enjoyed by local fishermen, townsfolk and countless visitors.” His statue was unveiled on 28 May 2008.
RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station The first lifeboat station at Looe was erected in 1866. The RNLI withdrew services from Looe in 1930 on the grounds that the lifeboats of Fowey and Plymouth could cover the area. In 1991, the RNLI stationed a lifeboat at Looe for the summer season and three years later the Spirit of the ROAC was housed in a temporary lifeboat house, provided by the East Looe Town Trust. A new lifeboat station was built on the old Albatross warehouse site on the quay in 2002.
RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station
The first lifeboat station at Looe was erected in 1866. The RNLI withdrew services from Looe in 1930 on the grounds that the lifeboats of Fowey and Plymouth could cover the area. In 1991, the RNLI stationed a lifeboat at Looe for the summer season and three years later the Spirit of the ROAC was housed in a temporary lifeboat house, provided by the East Looe Town Trust. A new lifeboat station was built on the old Albatross warehouse site on the quay in 2002.
Entrance to Looe Harbour
Entrance to Looe Harbour
Hannafore Hotel and Beach
Hannafore Hotel and Beach
St George's (Looe) Island Looe Island, also known as St George's Island, (and historically St Michael's Island) is a small island off the Cornish coast near Looe. The island is now owned and managed as a nature reserve by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust charity. The waters around the island are a marine nature reserve and form part of the Looe Voluntary Marine Conservation Area.
St George's (Looe) Island
Looe Island, also known as St George's Island, (and historically St Michael's Island) is a small island off the Cornish coast near Looe. The island is now owned and managed as a nature reserve by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust charity. The waters around the island are a marine nature reserve and form part of the Looe Voluntary Marine Conservation Area.
East Looe Beach and Pier Viewed from Hannafore Road.
East Looe Beach and Pier
Viewed from Hannafore Road.
Looe Harbour, Nelson From a plaque nearby:
“A distinctive ‘one-eyed’ scarred bull Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus) who was a familiar sight in the harbours of South Cornwall for over 25 years. Eventually he settled on the rocks of Looe Island as his home and then made Looe Harbour his dining room where he was fed and his company enjoyed by local fishermen, townsfolk and countless visitors.”

His statue was unveiled on 28 May 2008.
Looe Harbour, Nelson
From a plaque nearby: “A distinctive ‘one-eyed’ scarred bull Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus) who was a familiar sight in the harbours of South Cornwall for over 25 years. Eventually he settled on the rocks of Looe Island as his home and then made Looe Harbour his dining room where he was fed and his company enjoyed by local fishermen, townsfolk and countless visitors.” His statue was unveiled on 28 May 2008.
Looe Harbour at Low Tide
Looe Harbour at Low Tide
Looe Harbour East Quay
Looe Harbour East Quay
Early Morning at Looe Harbour Early-morning mist severely reducing the visibility so we can barely make out the East Quay, looking from the West Quay.
Early Morning at Looe Harbour
Early-morning mist severely reducing the visibility so we can barely make out the East Quay, looking from the West Quay.
Misty Harbour Looking along Looe's West Quay. Early-morning mist severely reduces visibility.
Misty Harbour
Looking along Looe's West Quay. Early-morning mist severely reduces visibility.
Rocky Shore, Samphire Beach
Rocky Shore, Samphire Beach
Samphire Beach Rocky shoreline above West Looe.
Samphire Beach
Rocky shoreline above West Looe.
Samphire Beach and Cliffs
Samphire Beach and Cliffs
Show me another place!

Looe Island is located at Grid Ref: SX2551 (Lat: 50.337171, Lng: -4.4509499)

Unitary Authority: Cornwall

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

Also known as: St George's Island

What 3 Words

///locker.nuzzling.swimmer. Near Looe, Cornwall

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