A tiny, picture-perfect fishing village on Cornwall's north coast, famous from Doc Martin and home to sea shanties, fresh crab and dramatic cliff walks.
Port Isaac is the kind of place people imagine when they think of Cornwall: whitewashed cottages tumbling down a steep valley to a small harbour, where fishing boats rest on the sand at low tide. Its fame grew enormously as "Portwenn" in the TV series Doc Martin, but it has been a working fishing village for centuries and still lands crab and lobster today.
Things to do in Port Isaac
- Wander the lanes. The streets are narrow – one alley is famously called Squeeze-ee-belly Alley – and full of old fishermen's cottages, small galleries and gift shops.
- Spot the filming locations. Fans of Doc Martin will recognise the harbour, the school and the doctor's surgery on the hill.
- Hear the Fisherman's Friends. The village's famous shanty group often perform on the Platt, the harbourside, on summer evenings. Check locally for dates.
- Visit Port Gaverne. A short walk east, this quiet cove is a peaceful alternative to the busier main harbour.
Beaches
The harbour beach is small and best enjoyed at low tide, when you can explore rock pools. Port Gaverne is sheltered and good for paddling. For bigger sandy beaches, head to Polzeath and Daymer Bay, around 20 minutes' drive away.
Walks
The coast path west to Port Quin is one of the most dramatic stretches in north Cornwall – steep, rugged and rewarding, with Port Quin's abandoned-feeling cove at the end. It's a challenging walk, so wear proper footwear. East, the path leads to Port Gaverne and on towards Tintagel.
Food and drink
Seafood is the thing to try: crab from the harbour, fish and chips and a pint in one of the village pubs. Port Isaac has also gained a reputation for fine dining, with acclaimed seafood restaurants in and around the village – book well ahead in summer.
Getting there and parking
Port Isaac is about 10 miles north of Wadebridge. There is no railway; the nearest station is Bodmin Parkway. Cars can't realistically get into the old village, so park in the large car park at the top of the hill and walk down. Be careful not to drive onto the harbour beach, which floods at high tide.
When to visit
Port Isaac gets very busy in summer and on sunny weekends. Early mornings, evenings and the spring and autumn months show the village at its most peaceful.
Approximate · next 3 days
Reading the sea…
