Port Isaac: Doc Martin Village, Walks & Tips
Port Isaac is a picture-perfect fishing village of whitewashed cottages tumbling down to a tiny harbour. Millions know it as Portwenn from the TV series Doc Martin, and it's home to the sea-shanty singers Fisherman's Friends.
Top things to do in Port Isaac
- Explore the lanes. Squeeze through the narrow alleys, including the famous Squeeze-ee-belly Alley, one of the narrowest streets in Britain.
- Doc Martin spotting: fans can find the Doc's surgery (Fern Cottage, on the hill above the harbour), the school and other locations around the village. Remember these are people's homes.
- The Platt and the harbour: at low tide you can walk out on the harbour beach and explore the rock pools.
- Fisherman's Friends often sing on the Platt on summer evenings. Check their website for dates.
Walks from Port Isaac
- To Port Gaverne: a short, easy stroll east to the neighbouring cove.
- To Port Quin: about three miles west on a strenuous but stunning stretch of coast path, with lots of steep ups and downs. Port Quin is a tiny National Trust inlet, said to have been abandoned when its fishermen were lost at sea.
Places in this guide
Where to eat and drink
The village has cafés, a fish shop, pasties and a couple of pubs around the harbour, but opening hours vary through the year, so check ahead out of season. A short drive away, the Port William at Trebarwith Strand and Rick Stein's Cornish Arms at St Merryn are both worth the trip.
Getting there and parking
Don't drive down into the village. The lanes are tiny and there's nowhere to turn. Use the large car park at the top of the village and walk down. It's steep, so allow time for the climb back. Port Isaac is about 20 minutes from Tintagel and half an hour from Padstow via the Rock road.
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