Two Cornish fishing villages named among the UK’s most beautiful
Two villages in Cornwall have made it into The Telegraph’s 2025 list of the 20 most beautiful seaside villages in Britain – a ranking that celebrates traditional coastal charm, local character, and a strong sense of place.
Polperro and Kingsand & Cawsand were singled out for their unique atmospheres, working harbour settings, and the way they’ve held on to their fishing heritage even as tourism has grown around them.
Both are located on Cornwall’s quieter south coast -although Polperro, and even Cawsand and Kingsand in peak summer, do get busy.
Still, both deliver the kind of scenery and nostalgia that still draws people to the British seaside – even with cheap flights and overseas alternatives in easy reach!
Polperro: narrow lanes, smugglers’ tales and coastal drama
The Telegraph praised Polperro’s “smuggler vibes” – alluding to the village’s past in a roundabout way – and ability to feel authentic despite its popularity.
The Telegraph noted how the cottages appear barely changed since the 18th century, when the harbour was a hotspot for contraband and daring night-time runs.
Today, some of those same buildings house pubs, shops and small guesthouses, but the working harbour remains the centrepiece.
The article also highlighted Chapel Pool, a natural tidal swimming spot just beyond the main village, and recommended walking the three-mile Harbour and Headlands Trail for views that take in the cliffs, coves and slate-roofed harbour from above.
Despite the crowds in high season, Polperro keeps a lived-in feel.
You won’t find glossy newbuilds or overdone seaside clichés.
The streets are still too narrow for cars, and the best way to arrive is on foot – whether from the main car park above the village or via the South West Coast Path from Looe.
Pro tip: Polperro’s especially magic in winter. Visit then and have the village nearly to yourself!
See my guide to Polperro here.
Kingsand and Cawsand: twin villages in Cornwall’s quieter corner
Described as “off the beaten path (relatively speaking)”, the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand were chosen for offering a more peaceful corner of Cornwall without losing the classic seaside ingredients.
Together, they sit on the Rame Peninsula, with pastel cottages leaning into narrow lanes and small boats bobbing offshore.
Both villages have their own beaches — good for rockpooling and paddling – and are backed by the wooded hillsides of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. The Telegraph noted the Cawsand Ferry, a seasonal boat to and from Plymouth’s historic Barbican, as one of the best ways to approach the village – a short crossing that replaces the usual traffic with sea views and fresh air!
In summer, kayakers and paddleboarders launch from the beaches, while walkers head inland to explore the gardens, viewpoints and follies of the country park. There’s no through-traffic here, and the slower pace means it feels more like a place to live than a holiday complex.
Pubs like the Devonport Inn in Kingsand and the Bay Bar in Cawsand were both mentioned as places where you can sit outside, watch the tide shift, and get a proper pint or seafood dish without a queue of 40 people waiting behind you!
The Telegraph commends these villages for their uncommercial charm and strong culture.
