Polperro was at one time, an isolated fishing community, where smuggling was a traditional occupation. The Props Cottage of those days boasted a secret staircase leading from the river and is rumoured to have been party to much of the illegal goings on.
Crushana Northcott, one of many local characters lived in “The Props”. It is said that she used to warn smugglers of the approach of “Preventive Men” by adding a doll dressed as an Englishman to those in her shop window.
There were times when Smuggling was as much an industry in Polperro as the fishing; so much so that, early in the last century, King George III found it necessary to station a crew of customs officers on an old boat in the harbour – perhaps the first regular unit of the preventive service. It has been said that the ingenuity of the people of Polperro exceeded that of the revenue men, and a few minutes spent wandering around the streets near the harbour will lead the visitor to think of those good old days.
The beams and masts in the ‘Props’ restaurant came from the Maverine which foundered in circa 1700.
From either side of Polperro Harbour, footpaths climb to the coastal path. Chapel (pronounced ‘Chaypel’) Cliff to the west provides fine terraced walks, framed for their wild flowers, as does the Warren, on the eastern side. Looking back from the coastal path there is a delightful birds eye view of the most photographed haven in the country.
Until the last century, Polperro was so isolated that supplies came on a weekly sailing ship from Plymouth - as you can imagine a visit to The House on the Props really is a chance to get away from it all. |
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