I've stayed in Polperro in July, crowded with day-trippers but quiet at night. The crowds were tolerable.

Looe was much more crowded and frankly I thought it was dirty and tacky. Fairly junky shops and food stalls, seagulls tearing through over-flowing rubbish bins. Polperro has some of the same, just not quite as bad and much cleaner.

Both have beautiful natural settings, shame about all the c--p..

An advantage in June is that UK school holidays don't start until mid-July so crowds should be lighter.

No, Polperro and Looe aren't excessively crowded at that time. The hoards of tourists don't invade these little gems along the coast until two weeks later. I always suggest that people go there either in June or the beginning of September, so you are in luck

I'm actually looking for a small town in that area to base myself to jump on an off the Southwest Coast Path. Any other town suggestions??

My favorite place along that stretch of coast is Fowey. Here's a good description of walks, including the South Coastal Path, using Fowey as a base.

http://www.fowey.co.uk/activities-and-attractions/walking

Thanks! I'll check into Fowey. I'm not too excited about dirty and tacky

It's been 3-4 years since I've been to Looe and Polperro so who knows, Looe, in particular, could have cleaned up its act. A very pretty place, right on the path, is the Talland Bay Hotel, between Loie nd Polperro. Pricey but lovely.m They will pack lunches

Posted too soon.

between Looe and Polperro. Pricey but lovely. They will pack lunches for you however both Looe and Polperro and most certainly Fowey have some decent pubs, tearooms, etc.