Lowenna Merritt
29 January 2016
Immerse yourself in the Doc Martin TV set, tuck into freshly landed fish from celeb chef Nathan Outlaw’s kitchen, or simply sit by the harbour wall to take in the sublime views from the 700-year-old village of Port Isaac. It's the perfect destination for a romantic getaway.
All about Port Isaac
Tucked away on North Cornwall’s dramatic coast, Port Isaac has become synonymous with the Doc Martin series and now the Hollywood blockbuster, Fishermen’s Friends.
It’s just a 0.5-mile walk along the South West Coast Path from Port Gaverne, once a thriving port for landing slate, coal, and pilchards. This sheltered narrow cove has remained pretty much unchanged for hundreds of years. Now owned by the National Trust, it’s become a popular spot for coasteering, paddleboarding, and sea swimming. There’s plenty of space for dogs to play at low tide, and you can make a pit stop for a pint or a snack at Pilchards Café – part of The Port Gaverne Hotel.
Follow the coast path into pretty Port Isaac, which really is one of Cornwall’s most picturesque villages, with its narrow lanes and 18th century fishermen’s cottages tumbling to the water’s edge. Browse the art and craft galleries, gaze out to the big blue abyss, and soak up the historic vibe as you wander through this characterful village.
Fancy looking at other areas of the North Coast? Port Isaac is just a short drive away from Rock and Padstow.
Port Isaac food and drink
Fishing boats putter in and out of the harbour, landing the freshest of the ocean’s bounty that you’ll find plated up in a scattering of waterside cafés and restaurants. As well divine seafood served by one of Cornwall’s best-known chefs, Nathan Outlaw, there are various cafés and eateries serving everything from haut cuisine to Cornish cream teas.
If you’re a fan of Doc Martin, it’s just 200 metres to the other side of the harbour to spot his home in the fictional coastal village ‘Portwenn’. The Old School Hotel & Restaurant also features in the series, and makes a great pit stop for a steaming bowl of mussels or a slap-up dinner of seasonal produce.
If you fancy tucking into one of the best crab sandwiches in Cornwall (in our opinion), make a beeline for Fresh from the Sea. Owner Calum heads out on his fishing boat daily to bring in the succulent local crabs hand-picked and served in home-baked wholemeal bread. As well as crab, you can also tuck into lobster, fresh fish, and Porthilly Oysters, all plucked from local waters.
Explore Port Isaac
Situated on Roscarrok Hill, the local Methodist chapel – now the family-run Port Isaac Pottery and Chapel Café, makes a good coffee stop. If you’re lucky, you might even hear the popular sea shanty of the group of Fisherman’s Friends stretching their vocal chords there over a crate of ale – as Billy Hawkins, a baritone player, now owns it.
If you’re up for a more challenging stomp along this staggering section of the coast, head out of Port Isaac and tackle the undulating South West Coast Path to Port Quin. This narrow cleft flanked by cliffs is a stunning and safe location for sea swimming or kayaking, and as the tide ebbs, it’s a haven for rock pooling. The beauty of this rugged inlet attracted the original Poldark film crew, and a pod of dolphins regularly comes to play.
Stay in Port Isaac
If you'd like to experience this Cornish coastal gem for yourself, browse our self-catering cottages in Port Isaac by clicking the button below.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.