Port Isaac

Port Gaverne is one of those Cornish places that works both as a base and as an attraction in its own right, with enough character to justify a detour near Port Isaac. Harbour life, local food, sea air and the surrounding walks usually matter as much as any single sight.

Port Isaac Cliff Walk is a worthwhile natural stop near Port Isaac, valued for open views, sea air and the kind of landscape that gives Cornwall much of its identity. It rewards slow exploration, whether that means a clifftop walk, a pause at a viewpoint or simply taking in the changing weather and light.

A working fishing village of narrow lanes, whitewashed cottages, and a harbour where crab boats still land their catch — Port Isaac has changed little since the nineteenth century, which is precisely why television producers keep using it. The BBC series Doc Martin has made it famous worldwide, but the village's authentic character predates and outlasts any filming. The smell of fish and seaweed is very much part of the experience.