'Quirky' British village with a beach that belongs in the Mediterranean

Soaking up the sun in the Mediterranean sounds hugely appealing to many Brits, but the cost of heading abroad can skyrocket, particularly during the school holidays.

Luckily for us, we have our own slice of Greece right here in the UK. Tucked away in Cornwall, a secret treasure of a village offers bright blue seas and picturesque backdrops.

The historic fishing village of Polperro boasts a distinctive combination of allure and tranquillity that resembles Greece more than a conventional Cornish fishing settlement.

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According to specialists at Park Holidays: "With whitewashed cottages and boats bobbing in the tiny harbour, Polperro feels more like a tucked-away Greek island than a Cornish fishing village."

The village is surrounded by towering cliffs and abundant vegetation, creating a breathtaking setting for the peaceful waters of its cove.

Yet what truly distinguishes Polperro is its unspoilt shoreline, which on bright days appears to reflect the hues of the Aegean Sea, transforming it into an "Aegean shade of turquoise".

It's this flawless combination of landscape and calm that makes Polperro a coveted destination for those seeking a taste of the Mediterranean without boarding a plane.

As the specialists describe it: "Narrow, winding streets lead to cafés and shops with serious Santorini charm."

Whilst you won't discover souvlaki or baklava on offer, the village's selection of fish and chip establishments and ice cream parlours provides a delightful, regional substitute for Greece's celebrated tavernas, reports the Express.

For visitors who appreciate both heritage and the natural world, Polperro delivers. With its rich seafaring legacy evident in its thriving port, where traditional vessels continue to moor just as they have for generations, there's plenty to discover.

TripAdvisor users have praised the village, with one saying: "It's like going back in time. This is one of our favourite villages in Cornwall."

Another said: "It's a bit a bit of a walk from the car park into town, but it’s well worth it when you get there, with quirky little alleyways, cute smugglers cottages, a working harbour offering boat trips and plenty of traditional Cornish pubs."

It was a bustling hub for pilchard fishing and smuggling during the 18th and 19th centuries, according to Holiday Cottages Polperro.

They say: "Pilchards were caught in huge numbers by Polperro Gaffers, large gaff-rigged boats of which there were once 40 operating out of the harbour.

"The fish once caught were processed in the village and this provided work for many women and children. There were three factories by the harbour involved in this and here the pilchards were salted and then cured."

Multiple walking routes along the nearby clifftops offer breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean beneath, with the South West Coast Path winding directly through the village.

What enhances Polperro's charm further is its closeness to other Cornish locations. Just a brief journey from well-known spots such as Fowey and Looe, it serves as an ideal starting point for discovering the area.

And at a fraction of the cost of an all-inclusive trip to Santorini, there's plenty to love about the prospect of visiting here.