Port Isaac
"It appears to be secluded from the rest of the world"
About the village
Once a busy coastal port where trading in coal, timber and pottery dominated from the Middle Ages up to the nineteenth century. The village is lined with traditional Cornish buildings, many of them grade II listed, constructed of granite with slate roofs connected by narrow streets.
Further around the coast to the East is Port Gaverne, a pretty cove with safe beaches and crystal clear water. To the West is Port Quinn. For the walkers amongst you the coastal path extends all around the south west coast, some 630 miles!
Port Isaac Heritage has a wealth of information on the history of the village.
Tours
For tours of the village, Port Isaac tours
- Port Isaac Tours – Guided tours of Port Isaac taking in Doc Martin locations, historical buildings, fishing, past and present.
- Cornwall Discovery – Guided sightseeing tours covering Cornwall. Incorporating film and TV locations, the finest of Cornish wine, beer and locally sourced food; all with Barry as your driver and guide, tailor-made for you. Doc Martin tours are increasingly popular, along with the always enjoyable Poldark sightseeing tour.
Adventure Seekers
- Cornish Coast Adventures – Sea kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and coasteering trips around the rugged coastline, based in Port Quinn
- Cornish Rock Tors – Sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and sea swimming based in Port Gaverne
- Wavehunters – Surfing and boat trips from Rock & Polzeath
- Boaty – Port Isaac’s Speedboat service combines adrenalin and a wealth of trivia about the local area. You may even be lucky enough to see local wildlife in their natural habitats including seals and dolphins.
Walking & Cycling
The coastal path runs through the village, providing walkers with spectacular views of the Cornish coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. Head over to www.southwestcoastpath.com for lots of information about the coastal path along with recommendations on routes and places to see.
For a family day out by bike, head over to the Camel trail. There are several bike hire places in Wadebridge if you haven’t brought your own. The trail is mostly level and traffic free, so is ideal for children.