4 bed detached house for sale

The Warren, Polperro, Looe PL13

Occupying one of the most distinctive positions in Polperro, set just a few metres from the harbour entrance and enjoying panoramic views across the harbour, village and open sea beyond, Island House & Island Cottage is a detached Grade II Listed house arranged as two separate properties. Rich in local history and recognised as one of the village’s landmark buildings, it is believed to date back to the 16th century, having originally served as a lookout against pirates before later becoming the Customs House during Polperro’s smuggling years.

Today, the property is arranged as two separate holiday lets, creating a rare opportunity to acquire one of Polperro’s most recognisable waterfront buildings with both lifestyle appeal and income potential. It would suit a range of uses, whether as an ongoing holiday letting investment property, a highly individual coastal home with ancillary accommodation, or a home with a separate letting unit.

Island House

Island House occupies the upper three storeys and provides the larger part of the accommodation. The entrance hall opens into an attractive open-plan living space arranged as sitting room, dining area and kitchen. The sitting room is centred around a feature fireplace, while the dining area and kitchen are positioned to make the most of the views and the character of the house. There is also a separate utility area.

The upper two floors provide three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The first floor is taken up entirely by the principal bedroom, which enjoys particularly fine views across the harbour and out to sea, together with an en suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC. Above are two further bedrooms, including a good-sized double and a smaller third bedroom, and the family shower room.

Island Cottage

Island Cottage occupies the lower two storeys and has its own distinct identity. Accessed via an external flight of steps, leading to a covered outside terrace, which in-turn opens into at the spacious open-plan kitchen / dining / living room, with shaker-style kitchen units. A spiral staircase leads down to the generous double bedroom with en suite bathroom and roll-top bath, while a further terrace overlooks the harbour.

Together, Island House & Island Cottage offers a rare combination of history, flexibility and an exceptional waterfront setting, making it one of Polperro’s most memorable harbour-side buildings.

Outside

There is a covered terrace to the side providing access into Island Cottage, together with a useful separate small secure storage area, used for housing the dustbins.

While not within the ownership, the property also enjoys immediate access to the area between the building and the harbour, which provides a valuable additional amenity space from which to sit and enjoy the outlook.

Location

Polperro is one of Cornwall’s most attractive and best-known fishing villages, centred around its historic harbour and surrounded by the dramatic coastline of the south east Cornish coast. Its narrow, winding streets, working harbour, galleries, pubs and restaurants give the village a character that remains both deeply rooted and instantly recognisable.

The harbour has been home to a fishing fleet since medieval times and remains at the centre of village life today. Polperro is equally well known for its long association with smuggling, a history which still shapes much of its atmosphere and appeal. The village attracts a mix of full-time residents, second-home owners and holidaymakers, creating a lively and well-supported community throughout the year.

With the South West Coast Path passing close by, the property enjoys an unusually direct relationship with both the harbour and the surrounding coastline, giving immediate access to some of the finest coastal walking in Cornwall. This stretch of coastline is notably unspoilt, with rugged scenery, hidden coves and far-reaching sea views, and is widely regarded as one of the most scenic parts of the county.

For day-to-day needs, nearby Looe provides a wider range of amenities, while Fowey and Plymouth are both within reach for further sailing, dining, shopping and transport connections. The wider south Cornish coast has enduring appeal for buyers seeking somewhere more characterful and less overtly busy than some of Cornwall’s better-known hotspots, while still offering excellent access to the water and surrounding coastline.

Services

Mains electric, water and drainage. Electric heating.