Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing
Small harbourside museum in a former pilchard factory telling the story of fishing and smuggling in Polperro, with ship models and a photographic record from about 1860.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum stands on the harbourside in Polperro, in a building that was a pilchard factory until the early twentieth century. It is linked to Polperro Harbour Trust, a volunteer-run trust port that supports its costs partly through museum income.
The displays follow the village’s fishing and smuggling history from the late eighteenth century to the present. They include a photographic record that goes back to about 1860, a collection of ship models and local family history records that visitors can look at. Smuggling is a main theme, including the story of the local vessel Lottery.
Knitted fishermen’s jumpers known as knitfrocks are also on show. Each family had its own pattern, which could help identify drowned fishermen. A tearoom next to the museum serves food and drink, and the museum sells Polperro Harbour merchandise.
Highlights
- Smuggling history of Polperro, including the vessel Lottery
- Ship models and fishing displays
- Photographic record from about 1860
- Knitfrocks, family-patterned fishermen’s jumpers
- Family history records and a harbourside tearoom next door
Permanent exhibition
- Fishing and smuggling in Polperro – Displays of smuggling items, fishing history, ship models, family history records and photographs from about 1860 onwards.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Polperro Harbour Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 enter free. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is on the harbourside at The Warren. The tearoom is next door on the way to the coast path to Looe.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
A tearoom next to the museum is open 09:00–17:00 daily from April to October, usually several days a week from November to Christmas, and by checking first from Christmas to Easter. Polperro Harbour merchandise can be bought at the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Dogs are described as welcome by a Cornwall tourism guide. |
|---|
