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Looe Island, Looe

4.7

#3 of 17 in Things to do in Looe

Landmark Tourist Spot

Looe Island, also known as St George's Island, and historically St Michael's Island is a small island a mile from the mainland town of Looe off Cornwall, England.According to local legend, Joseph of Arimathea landed here with the child Christ. Some scholars, including Glyn Lewis, suggest the island could be as Ictis, the location described by Diodorus Siculus as a centre for the tin trade in pre-Roman Britain.The island is now owned and managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust charity where access is carefully managed for the benefit of wildlife and landing is only possible via the Cornwall Wildlife Trust authorized boatman. The waters around the island are a marine nature reserve and form part of the Looe Voluntary Marine Conservation Area . First established in 1995, the Looe VCMA covers nearly 5 km of coastline and aims to protect the coastal and marine wildlife around Looe.HistoryPeople have been living on Looe Island since the Iron Age. Evidence of early habitation includes pieces of Roman amphorae as well as stone boat anchors and Roman coins. In the Dark Ages, the island was used a seat of early Christian settlement. The child Jesus was believed to have visited the Island with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, who traded with the Cornish tin traders. Therefore, Looe Island became a place of pilgrimage for early Christians and a small thatched roofed chapel was built there during this time.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

119 reviews

588Lighthouse

If you go to Looe, then go here. It's beautiful. It is so well run, in the sense of being devoted to nature. The history of the place is both fascinating and in some ways mystical. The people who live... more »
Cheryl B

Second time we have been and we love this little island! First time we were lucky enough to see a seal. The two people who run the reserve are really welcoming and friendly. You get plenty of time to ... more »
cynthiaAllen2017

Great little bay around the corner from main beach. I believe you can go on a boat trip from Looe Harbour. more »

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