A picturesque seaside village, which was previously voted the coolest place to live in the UK and the most beautiful in the world, is bustling in the summertime. It's one of Cornwall's prettiest villages with several independent shops and restaurants clustered around the stunning harbour, and those who live there "absolutely love it".

While it's home to just over 2,000 residents, Polperro, tucked into an enclave on the south Cornish coast, attracts tens of thousands of people every year. However, in a few months' time, "all the lights will go out," one resident, Nigel Dilley explained.

Nigel, who used to run a pub in the Somerset city of Bath, used to holiday in Polperro, but decided to move to the Cornish village a few years ago where he opened his business The Cornish Chilli Factory.

He said: "Polperro is quirky and it's completely different living here compared to being on holiday, it has a cool community, but in January and February it goes desolate.

"The village is so far away from everything and a trip to the nearest supermarket is a day trip, but that's also a reason why we love it here.

"But, after New Year's, it's like someone's turned the lights out, until March or April when the tourists pick up again."

A family relaxing on the sand of the quaint Polperro Beach are regular visitors to the village and they describe wintertime here as having a "different dynamic" - but with some positives.

Kay Palmer, Christian Axsel and Sam Riley, tourists from the neighbouring county of Devon, often visit Polperro as they have relatives living in the village, and visit in all seasons.

Christian said: "We usually come here out of season because you can actually get into the pubs then, it's got a different dynamic in winter.

"It's super friendly, chilled and fun with great food, including fresh fish - and it's like stepping back in time as everything has always been here for centuries and there is no room for expansion around the village's edges."

Another family, Georgie Charman, Phil Williams and Babs Williams, who were visiting Polperro for the first time, felt totally charmed - and relieved - to be in a "calming" spot as they say their nearest beach to home, Lulworth Cove in Dorset has been "ruined by tourism".

Georgie said: "It's a quiet pace here, just nice, it's friendly and calm, just like stepping back in time, and the water is so clear.

"We live in Lulworth Cove, which has been ruined by tourism, but here it is absolutely beautiful, and everyone is so polite and not rushing about - everyone says good morning.

"The old world charm of this fishing village has a unique vibe and it's like you're waiting for Ross Poldark to sail in."

Polperro was crowned the prettiest in the world by Travel and Leisure last year.

And long-term resident Dave Adams agrees - and described the village as "absolutely lovely and gorgeous".

Dave runs boat trips from the harbour to nearby Fowey, Looe, and other beauty spots.

"Who wouldn't want to live here", he mused. "It's always been busy, Polperro is a little bit different and recent new businesses have changed it up even more.

"It's just a fabulous village, there's often nowhere to park, but we absolutely love it."