Looe Walking Tours - Smugglers and Skullduggery
Overview
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Tales of smugglers haunts, press gangs & skulduggery along the quaysides….as you join Mark on the tour that explores the exploits of old amongst the medieval drinking houses.
The tour commences outside of the 15th century Old Guildhall, on Higher Market Street in East Looe.
From the seafront, you’ll learn tales of the wreckers who lured boats onto the rocks, shipwrecks around Looe’s coastlines…. to royal navy pressgangs rounding up recruits, it is the Looe you never knew!
From ghostly tales of the white hare of West Looe Hill & hauntings at the Jolly Sailor - to trapped souls in the cells of the Old Guildhall… the tour will discover tales of the Town’s darker days.
During the tour, you hear about Amran & Jochabed, who lived on Looe Island & used it as a stopping point for their contraband… as well as ‘Battling Billy’ and his kegs of illicit liquor hidden inside coffins.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The tour is on flat, paved surfaces with a gentle slope over the bridge. We go at a slow pace and make plenty of stops
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Looe
Exploring the streets and haunts of East and West Looe, you will discover tales of the characters who lived here, the history of the smuggling trade and the families who controlled the shores. We spend 90 minutes exploring and discovering the hidden gems and hideouts of our beautiful harbour town. Hear tales of Ghosts, Smugglers, and some Skullduggery! Some of the attractions are listed below, but many are hidden away that only we will discover!!
Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol
Here we set the scene and talk about how smuggling came about and what influenced the people of Looe to start smuggling. We will discover some tales of court cases that took place here at the Guildhall, and of the ghost who resides within!
What‘s Included
Your fun and entertaining Guide
You will have opportunity after the tour to explore the many eateries and offerings in the Town
Options
Looe Walking Tours - Smugglers and Skullduggery
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Smugglers & Skullduggery tour
simonhH7245KR,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant, Mark really knows his stuff and great to see someone so invested in what they do, really recommend this tour. Back in September and will definitely be booking the historical walking tour 👍🏻
Excellent tour led by a fab guide!
skybluedude,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the Smugglers and Skulduggery tour with Looe Walking Tours after it was recommended by family members, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. Mark was an excellent guide - really friendly, engaging, and full of fascinating facts and stories. He offered the tour at very short notice over the festive period, which was much appreciated. The tour ran slightly over time, but we didn’t mind at all because we were enjoying it so much. We’ve been visiting Looe for many years, yet still discovered so many new stories and bits of local history. We’d definitely book one of Mark’s other tours the next time we are in the area and recommend as a "must do" to anyone visiting.
Just book it!
CarlyMA01,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant tour. We had friends and family down to stay and thought it would be a nice thing to do with them. It was excellent. We all loved it. Informative, funny and interesting. We have lived in Looe for six years and still learned a lot. Very much recommended!
Great WalkingTour
custard0072019,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great walking tour with Mark, he is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic , good to know facts about Looe that you would never find elsewhere.
Very informative and...
John D,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative and gives good insight to the history of the town from past to present. It shows you little streets and buildings you would not normally notice.
A stroll of discovery!!
Dream00747422403,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fantastic leisurely stroll around Looe hearing about the history of smuggling & interesting characters whose descendants are still around today! with a great enthusiastic amicable guide! We all wish we did the tour at the beginning of our holiday as we saw Looe in a different way afterwards and discovered the best pub in Looe with history, great food, very amicable landlord and staff also very family & dog friendly....clue...it's in West Looe but you'll have to do the tour to discover!!
From £20.00
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Operated by Looe Walking Tours