Tiny UK fishing village where cars are banned in the summer has Victorian tidal pool and sandy beach

THERE’S a village in the UK where cars are banned and holidaymakers feel like they’ve stepped back in time.

The picturesque fishing village is home to a small harbour, cobbled streets, a sandy beach and a tidal pool.

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Alamy

Polperro, which is set in south Cornwall, is a maze of white stone cottages and narrow streets.

Cars are banned in Polperro during the summer, with the village remaining largely traffic-free.

All vehicles will need to be parked at the top of the village, meaning holidaymakers can walk around unimpeded, with Toad Hall Cottages writing: “Arriving in the unspoilt fishing village of Polperro is like stepping back in time.”

Visitors who want to make the most of the traffic-free streets should follow the Harbour and Headlands Walk – a walking trail that winds through the village and inner harbour before reaching the headlands.

Before becoming a magnet for British holidaymakers, Polperro was a thriving centre for spirit and tobacco smugglers in the 18^th century.

The smuggling died out in the 19^th century when revenue officers started to patrol the coast via the South West Coast path.

Holidaymakers can learn more about the history of the village at the Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing.

The small museum houses a vast array of exhibitions and displays depicting the history of the village, including the illegal trading that took place.

To this day, fishing still plays an important role in the local industry, with 14 boats fishing for seafood.

Travel website Cornish Horizons wrote: “The village is still famous for its wonderful seafood and nearby restaurants and cafes serve local catch with an unrivalled view.”

Lying near the harbour wall is Polperro Beach – a largely sandy beach that disappears at high tide.

The sheltered beach sits underneath the cliffs because of its tiny size it’s recommended that holidaymakers arrive early if they want a spot on the sand.

Anyone who fancies a swim should visit Chapel Rock, a Victorian tidal pool that can be accessed via a set of narrow steps.

Free to enter, Chapel Rock is an ideal wild swimming spot for families with smaller children.

Another attraction in the Cornish village is Polperro Model Village.

Polperro Model Village has been part of the English village for over 60 years.

The model is a miniature replica in miniature of the village, depicting what life would’ve been like in Polperro in the 20^th century. 

There are plenty of other fishing villages in the UK where cars are banned, including Clovelly.

Other UK villages where cars are banned

Set in north Devon, Clovelly is a privately owned fishing village that was largely unknown to the outside world until the mid-19^th Century.

The small English village was originally owned by William the Conqueror who then gifted Clovelly to his wife.

But in 1884, Christine Hamlyn inherited the village and set about renovating the cottages.

The estate is now owned by Christine’s great grand-nephew The Hon. John Rous, and tourists are very much welcomed.

Holidaymakers need to pay to enter the village, with tickets costing £8.75 per adult during the summer months.

The ticket includes entry into the village, parking as well at the entrance into Clovelly Court Gardens, and the Fisherman’s Cottage.

Meanwhile, travel experts have revealed the best seaside town in England.

And this Victorian seaside town is tipped to be big in 2024.

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