The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history
Spacious yet cosy, historic yet stylish, The Old Vicarage is a characterful 400 year old, Grade II listed Cornish cottage situated in the heart of ancient Looe’s quaint town centre and a minute’s stroll to the beach.
Redecorated and refurbished to a high standard, The Old Vicarage (which is arranged over three floors) can accommodate up to 8 guests (with extra sleeping capacity for a baby in a travel cot). It includes a wood burning stove (ideal for creating a cosy cottage atmosphere, especially during winter evenings), a private courtyard garden and a large Jacuzzi bath (perfect after a day spent enjoying any one of Looe’s excellent outdoor activities).
The cottage is an inviting and well-equipped holiday home - perfect for summer or winter escapes.
ABOUT LOOE:
The town of Looe is approximately seven miles (11 km) south of Liskeard. It is divided in two by the River Looe - East Looe (Cornish: Logh, meaning deep water inlet) and West Looe (Cornish: Porthbyhan, meaning little cove), which are connected by a bridge.
The town centres around a small harbour and along the steep-sided valley of the River Looe which flows between East and West Looe to the sea beside a sandy beach. Off shore to the west, opposite the stonier Hannafore Beach, lies the idyllic St George's Island, otherwise known as Looe Island.
East Looe centres on its broad sandy beach, with the distinctive Banjo Pier (the creation of Joseph Thomas, who lived at The Old Vicarage), a new lifeboat station and St Mary's Church. Stretching back from the church is a grid of narrow streets forming the main business area of the town, packed with many small shops, restaurants and pubs. Along the estuary lies the quay with its fish merchants. Towards Looe Bridge lies the Victorian Guildhall (which is now a museum), and just north of the bridge the railway station. This is the terminus of the Looe Valley branch line to Liskeard (at Liskeard, the line connects with the main Plymouth to Penzance Great Western Main Line and to London Paddington).
On the hilltop above East Looe lies Shutta. Along the cliffs to the east is Plaidy Beach, and further on the bay and village of Millendreath with another gorgeous beach.
Towards the end of September, Looe hosts a famous music festival on the local beach that should not be missed (see our gallery for photographs).
On New Year's Eve, Looe provides a surprisingly exciting and large celebration. This small, quaint seaside town is host to an influx of visitors. People flock to the streets in their hundreds, wearing fancy dress, a tradition upheld by all ages. The crowds begin the evening in the town and slowly move towards the seafront for a fireworks display to see in the New Year (see our gallery for photographs).
The location for the BBC detective drama ‘Beyond Paradise’ (and known as Shipton Abbott in the series) Looe’s scenery is simply breathtaking, conjuring up the feeling that you have walked onto a film set!
The cottage is set in a prime location in the heart of old East Looe, nestled away in Looe's quaint backstreets and less than a minute's walk to the sandy beach with its many rock pools, harbour, (fishing trips and ferry cruises), costal paths (perfect for exploring wildlife), some great traditional pubs and award winning restaurants.
CAPACITY:
Accommodates: Between 2 and 8 (with additional sleeping capacity for 1 baby sleeping in a travel cot*) on a self-catering basis Bedrooms: 4 Beds: 4 (two king size and two doubles) and 1 travel cot* Bathrooms: 2 and 1 cloakroom
AMENITIES:
- Dedicated parking for one vehicle - Fully equipped kitchen - Washer dryer - Dishwasher - Ironing board & iron - Coffee machine - Private courtyard garden - Central heating - Wood burning stove - Jacuzzi bath - Wifi - HD TV & DVD - All linen, Egyptian cotton bathroom towels and Turkish beach towels provided (*a mattress and bedding for the cot are not provided) - Books, DVDs, games etc provided - Cleaning services available during your stay with notice and on request
PETS:
With regret we do not permit pets.
For everyone's safety, comfort and enjoyment please take time to read the manual that is provided at the property, which includes important safety notes and the house rules.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
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The Old Vicarage is our home and we ask that you treat it with respect. Please read the manual at the property, which includes the house rules.
Strictly no pets, no smoking and no hen or stag parties.
Check in and check out times to be strictly adhered to so that the cottage can be fully serviced / deep cleaned between guests.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Frequently asked questions
Is The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history?
As of 8 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history on 1 May 2026 start from NZ$399, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history?
Checkout is at 9:00 AM.
Where is The Old Vicarage - a luxury seaside home steeped in Looe's history located?
Situated by the sea, this cottage is steps away from Old Guildhall Museum and Gaol and Looe Beach. Second Beach and Plaidy Beach are also within 15 minutes. Looe Station is 10 minutes by foot.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The house is well equipped and in a lovely situation. The beach is minutes away , as is the high street (for shops and pubs). The allocated parking space is a real bonus.
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 September 2023
Thank you for your review. I was delighted to host you and I hope to host you again in the future.
A cottage with character that would accommodate a large group. The lounge/diner is fabulous for everyone together eating or entertaining. Nicely fitted kitchen with lots of everything. Bedrooms and bathrooms of a high standard
Gordon J.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 August 2020
It was a pleasure hosting you and we are so glad you had lovely holiday. We hope to host you again in the future.
Excellent accommodation, old but very tastefully modernised without losing the character of the building. Stairs a bit awkward for the elderly, but Ok with care. Location is excellent & would certainly return. Thank you for a lovely stay.
Pat Dickinson & family.
Pat D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 September 2023
Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure hosting you. I hope to host you again in the future.
We loved our stay at The Old Vicarage. The house is very characterful - old charm mixed with tasteful, modern renovation. Due to its age, it has some uneven flooring and low beams etc.which adds to its appeal but I’d suggest not suitable for mobility issues.It’s really well equipped with 4 good-sized double bedrooms. The photos don’t really do it justice, as it was much more spacious than I expected. It also has a nice little outdoor area that’s a real sun-trap. Beds were really comfy and the showers were powerful and always hot. Good communication from hosts too. The location is the real winner. About 1 minute walk to the beach, and right in the heart of Looe’s amenities. The car parking space is perfectly located on the seafront, extremely close to the property. Parking is a nightmare in Looe, so the space is a huge bonus.Minor gripe was the late check-in of 5pm, as normally we have found that rentals have a 3pm check in. And we were a little disappointed that the parking space wasn’t even available until 5 either. Also, the jacuzzi bath looked very exciting to the kids so it was a shame this didn’t work.Those very minor things aside, it’s a wonderful property which we all loved returning to and I’d highly recommend it. Thank you!
Emma J.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 September 2025
Thank you for your review; we are so glad that you enjoyed your stay with us!
The jacuzzi bath has an electrical switch outside of the bathroom on the wall by the door, which needs to be turned on for it to work. We are sorry that you did not get to use the jacuzzi aspect of the bath as it is very relaxing at the end of a busy day. We are happy to take any questions during guests’ stays and we also have a local caretaker on hand (his details were shared before check in) who is happy to pop over to help with anything that might arise, including advising upon the operation of fixtures and fittings. It is a pity that we were not informed of the issue as we would have liked your family to enjoy the bath during your stay.
The 5pm check in was advised upon by our caretaker and cleaning team post COVID- 19. The cottage is large and when we have back to back stays the time in between guests leaving and the next guests arriving is needed to fully service the cottage to ensure high cleanliness standards. During quieter times, we are happy to accommodate an earlier check if the cottage is able to be cleaned before the day of arrival. Whilst we cannot guarantee (when we have back to back bookings) that our parking space will be available before 5pm, it usually is available as guests tend to want to start their journey home after checking out.
On the flooring and beams point, the cottage is not suitable for wheelchair users. There are also a couple of low level steps. There are a couple of low beams in the cottage (upon entering the living room and upon using the staircase that leads to the top floor) but these are signposted for guests. All of the rooms have ample head height. We have successfully hosted many elderly guests without issue and one of the owners also has severe arthritis as well as joint degeneration uses the cottage from time to time.
Thank you for choosing the Old Vicarage. We very much hope to host you again in the future.
Just stayed at the Old Vicarage in looe and what can I say, it was a stunning property set right in the heart of the town with the beach a stones throw away! Me and my family had such a fun week with lots to do without even having to leave Looe itself. Thanks so much to Claire and Amil for a lovely stay. The cottage itself is beautiful and the pictures don't do it justice. I do hope to return in the future.
Rachel C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 September 2023
Thank you for your review. I was delighted to host you. I hope to host you again in the future.
Fantastic week in Looe. House was excellent, better then the pictures suggest. Really comfortable beds. Small outside area but the massive beach was 1 minute away. Loads to do in the area.
Claire H.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 14 September 2023
Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure hosting you. I hope to host you again in the future.
If anything the pictures don't do the property justice. It's exceptionally well set up, with everything you need, and done to a very high standard throughout. It's literally yards (well, maybe 100 yards) from the beach and easy walking distance to everything. Claire, the owner, is very responsive too. All in all, we had a great stay.
Kevin T.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 August 2021
It was a pleasure to host you! I’m glad you had a lovely holiday and I hope to host you again in the future.
The description of The Old Vicarage did not do it justice. It is a wonderful, welcoming and historical house which is so near the beach. The spacious hall with room for all of our coats and shoes was most surprising. The house was very well equipped and our family holiday with three generations staying together was a total success. We hope to return!
Jane J.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 25 August 2020
It was a pleasure to host you and we are so glad you and your family had a lovely holiday. We hope to host you in the future.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Trevor W.
16 August 2020
Perfect property perfect location
For a Family of 3 generations The Old Vicarage was perfect. Very well equipped and the location couldn't be better with beach, shops and other amenities on the doorstep. Only issue Wi-fi not good!
Trevor W.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 17 August 2020
It was a pleasure hosting you and your family. We are so glad you had a lovely holiday and we hope to host you again at The Old Vicarage. We are sorry that you experienced an issue with the WiFi. It usually works really well as we have a number of boosters throughout the cottage (given the thick walls) so one or more might have been turned off. If a similar issue arises on a future visit then please do not hesitate to contact us or our caretaker and we will happily help to troubleshoot.
The Old Vicarage is a wonderful, comfy house in a very convenient, central location.
Communication with the owners was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.
Louise C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 17 August 2020
It was a pleasure hosting you and we are so glad you had an enjoyable stay. We hope to host you again at The Old Vicarage.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Clare E.
11 September 2018
The vicarage in looe is a fantastic location, ideal for families
Vicarage was a fabulous place to stay, full of character and really homely and comfortable. It has a lovely feeling as soon as your walk in the door. Highly recommend staying there.
Clare E.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 6 March 2020
Thank you for your lovely review! I’m so glad you had an enjoyable holiday and I very much hope to host you and your party again in the future.
Verified
8/10 Good
Catherine S.
2 September 2018
Wonderfully spacious property in the middle of Looe
The Old Vicarage is a very spacious property right in the heart of Looe and particularly close to the beautiful beach. We enjoyed a lovely sunny holiday with a mixed generation group of 7 whose ages ranged from 20 to 89. Everyone enjoyed the beach and went swimming in the sea (even the 89 year old). The property is well equipped and we ate many nice meals around the large table in the living room, including entertaining some other family members who were staying on the other coast of Cornwall but came over for the day. The one large room with sofas and dining table made for a very sociable holiday as we all spent time together in the room, chatting and playing games. The weather was so nice we hardly resorted to the television at all but had we wanted to we could have watched lots of films from the huge store of DVDs in the property. There is enough to do in Looe itself to fill a week, especially with good weather so we hardly used our car. There are boat trips, fishing trips, coastal path walks and a place in the town where you can go and paint a pot, which we did. Also quite a few shops and nice restaurants. There was a small problem with the property whilst we were there, not at all the fault of the owners, Claire and Amil, but relating to a neighbouring restaurant whose drainage needed some attention. This was dealt with with the greatest of concern by Dilly, the caretaker and Claire herself who kept in touch by email. Their attitude of care about our continued enjoyment of our holiday minimised the impact on us and we all had a very enjoyable week.
Catherine S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 6 March 2020
Many thanks for your review. It was a pleasure to host you at The Old Vicarage. We are glad that you had an enjoyable stay and are so sorry for the unforeseen issue that arose with our neighbour’s property. We worked with them whilst they were away, arranging the relevant engineer to visit their property in order to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible. We hope that the partial refund we issued to you went some way to compensate you for any inconvenience. We very much hope to host you again in the future and that you have a 5* stay next time
Married couple (both professionals) living in the heart of London but hankering after Cornwall. Both animal and nature lovers with two young boys, we love travelling and spending time with our family and friends (at The Old Vicarage whenever time permits!). We both enjoy hosting and contact with our guests so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about The Old Vicarage or Looe more generally. We look forward to hearing from you and hope that you, your families and friends will love The Old Vicarage as much as we do.
Why they chose this property
My husband and I bought the Old Vicarage in March 2016, having fallen in love with East Looe’s beautiful beaches, cliffs, excellent amenities, warm climate and friendliness. After months of house hunting, we were lucky enough to secure our dream home (having admired The Old Vicarage on many occasions en route to the beach). Due to family and work commitments in London, we are unable to live at the cottage full-time so, after spending some time lovingly renovating it, we decided to let our beautiful and historic home for other families to enjoy and create holidays to remember.
What makes this property unique
Built in the 1600s, The Old Vicarage is a Grade II listed building with the English Heritage. The cottage retains many of its original, characterful features including a flagstone hallway and beams. As its name suggests, the cottage started its life as a vicarage for the clergy. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the late Victorian engineer Joseph Thomas lived in The Old Vicarage while he created the road to Hannafore, the Banjo Pier and the railway line to Liskeard.