Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol
About This Museum
Everyone comes to Looe for the harbour and the pasties, but you'd be missing out if you didn't duck into the Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol. Tucked away on Higher Market Street, this place is a wonderfully compact treasure chest of local history that feels a world away from the bustling seafront. You'll find everything from shipwrecks and smuggling tales to Victorian-era bathing costumes, all housed within ancient walls that have their own stories to tell. It’s the kind of spot where you can pop in for twenty minutes and come out feeling like you've had a genuine conversation with the town's past.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the old gaol cells downstairs—you can still see prisoners' graffiti carved into the wood! Upstairs, the massive 16th-century shark jawbone and the intricate Mayor's silver oar are real showstoppers that connect you directly to Looe's maritime heritage.
Visitor Information
It's a small, independent museum so check opening times before you go as they can be seasonal. The entry fee is very reasonable, making it a perfect rainy-day activity or a fascinating pit stop while exploring the town.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is a classic example of Tudor-style architecture, with its distinctive granite exterior and charmingly uneven floors that creak with every step, reminding you just how many centuries this structure has stood here.
