Doc Marten in Port Isaac
Port Isaac has become a popular destination for TV and films over the years, the village has probably had more cameras on it than anywhere in Cornwall and Port Isaac is best known as the fictional Portwenn from Doc Martin. The name from the hit TV series Port Wen comes from the old name of a nearby Port Quin. Saving Grace, a 2000 comedy-thriller, was also filmed in the village as it was swept from the Sea in 1997. The village has been seeing camera crews since the 1970s as the first TV series of Poldark was filmed here.
Just around the corner from Port Isaac is the untouched cove of Port Gaverne, with a sheltered sandy beach, rock pools, and probably one of the safest shores in North Cornwall. Port Gaverne has a history of shipbuilding, old buildings in the quay were once home to many shipbuilders and it was actually a working port back in the 19th century with the port handling ores from mining like coal, limestone, and slate. Now the old buildings have been converted to holiday accommodation with a nearby 17th-century inn doing the same as well as offering food.
West of Port Isaac is the small Port Quin, once called Port Wen which is no longer a working port and is also largely owned by The Nation Trust. This port was deserted after a huge storm had a devastating impact on the community as it took many men with it and that left the women with great hardship, all the cottages fell into disrepair then they eventually moved away from this port. Still to this date, you can see the fish cellars, the Port is now a tourist spot with thousands coming to see this beautiful port every year.
Nearby is St Endellion, in Easter and mid-summer there are live classical music festivals held within the parish church. Just around the corner are Long Cross Victorian Gardens which are the only public gardens in North Cornwall. The gardens feature an old beautiful Victorian layout and were constructed primarily to overcome the difficult climate, this beautiful garden stretches over 2 acres and features a maze, lake, dovecote, and a play area for the children.
In Port Isaac, there is a small shingle beach which isn’t ideal for sunbathing or days out with the family. Other beaches in the area are a short drive towards Padstow there are around 5 beaches in this area, all golden sandy with turquoise sea. One of the beaches in the area is Polzeath is a favorite for surfers, the Atlantic coast always brings in the big swells, and where the big swells are the surfers aren’t far behind, but this is a great family beach with lots of room to do activities and a great part of this beach is there is parking…on the beach!
