Port Isaac Area Guide

A small fishing village on the north Cornwall Atlantic coast, Port Isaac is well known in popular culture via the sea shanty group Fisherman's Friends and the Doc Martin TV series. A pier was built during the reign of Henry VIII and breakwaters later. It was a busy port for hundreds of years before the advent of the railways.

Fishing was always an important part of its economy and continues in a reduced way today. Boats for local coastal goods and fishing were built in the village and there were four fish cellars where the pilchard catch was processed.

The original characterful village, with about 90 Grade II listed buildings, clusters around the harbour which is overlooked by the Golden Lion pub. It is the only one in the village but there is also the Port Gaverne pub less than a mile to the east in the hamlet of that name.

Port Isaac does not attract beach lovers or sailors as the Padstow area to the west is much more appropriate for this, and out of season it is a very tranquil and peaceful place. There is a small D-class lifeboat in case of need.

The Southwest Coast Path passes through Port Isaac and reaches the hamlet of Port Quin about two miles to the west. This is partly owned by the National Trust, including the tiny one-bedroom Doyden Castle, a Regency folly.

Although there are only a few dwellings left today, Port Quin was once a thriving small village of about 100 inhabitants. It declined in the 19th century as the fishing dwindled, with the population moving locally or in some cases emigrating to Canada.