The Old Net Loft

Looking out from the Old Net Loft, Polperro

The Net Loft is a Grade II listed building thought to have been built in the early nineteenth century.

The building is believed to have been a Chapel. By the fourteenth century Polperro was a busy port, and the village fishermen became rich enough to build their own chapel in 1391, dedicated to St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. The chapel initially stood on Chapel Point above the harbour (in the grounds of the property 'Mont St Pierre'), but it is believed that it was moved some 200 years ago to Peak Rock, the site of the Net Loft today. 

 
In more recent years, before it was abandoned, the ground floor was used for boat building and the top for storing sails and pilchard nets. The building may also have been a lighthouse, as it is ideally situated for a beacon. It has seen its fair share of weather and stormy seas, battered by huge waves in recent winters.
 
Built onto the rock at the mouth of Polperro harbour
The Net Loft at Polperro
Built onto the rock at the mouth of Polperro harbour
Re-pointing with traditional lime mortar
Net Loft repointing
Re-pointing with traditional lime mortar

In 2015/16 the Trust's in-house building team undertook to restore the Net Loft. Over the course of around 12 months they worked to stabilise the building and make it watertight again, insuring against the effects of the weather on this very exposed site. The entire refurbishment used a kilometre of wooden batten, 2500 roof slates, nine tonnes of sand, stone and lime, 40 light fittings and seven new windows, all transported by hand along 100m of coast path out to site. It is entirely off-grid; the roof is integrated with 45 solar PV tiles, there is low energy LED light throughout.

This building, that once stood empty at the edge of the harbour, is now be available for the community and we welcome ideas from everyone for its use.

Solar panels generate electricity for low energy lighting inside
Solar panels on the roof of the renovated Net Loft in Polperro
Solar panels generate electricity for low energy lighting inside

Since the renovation was completed we have had a series of art exhibitions. You can get a taste of what has been going on with these videos made by artists Sue and Philip Bennetta.

...and the building was the perfect setting to show off up and coming artist, Amie Scott's glass work.

Amie Scott exhibition 2016, Polperro Net Loft
Amie Scott exhibition 2016, Polperro Net Loft
Amie Scott exhibition 2016, Polperro Net Loft