Top 10 things to do in Port Isaac

The village of Port Isaac, on the north coast between Padstow and Tintagel, is one of the prettiest in Cornwall. Whitewashed cottages spill down the hillside towards the scenic harbour, where local fishermen still land their daily catch. Lovers of poetry may recall that Sir John Betjeman, former Poet Laureate, is buried in St Enodoc church nearby, while more recently the small seaside village achieved fame as the filming location for the BBC series Doc Martin, and then as a result of the phenomenal success of local sea shanty group, the Fisherman’s Friends.  

Our guide outlines a selection of things to do in Port Isaac to suit all ages and interests. Why not get active on or in the water, or take a boat trip and spot some seals? You could play golf at one of the best courses in the UK, or sit back and enjoy some live music. Or walk the coast path, hire a bike or head out of town just a few miles and tour a castle full of myths and magic. 

Now that you’re feeling inspired to visit Port Isaac, discover our great selection of holiday cottages nearby. Just click on the button below and start planning your Cornish getaway. 

Skip to:

• Explore the town’s winding streets
• Hang out at the beach
• Indulge in exceptional seafood
• Walk the ‘roller coaster’ coastal path 
• Spot dolphins, seals and puffins on a sea safari
• Try a thrilling water sport
• Listen to some live music
• Cycle the Camel Trail
• Play a round of golf
• Visit a magical castle

Explore the town’s historic streets

As you wander through Port Isaac’s narrow, steep and winding streets you can really feel its history, dating back to an early 14^th-century fishing settlement and beyond. Don’t worry about getting lost – everything leads back to the harbour in the end, possibly via the infamous ‘Squeezy Belly Alley’, just 46cm wide! Among the charming historic buildings, many of them listed, you’ll discover a variety of enticing shops and galleries, perfect for picking up a gift, a work of art or a new outfit. 

Fans of the TV series Doc Martin will want to book a tour of the filming locations, run by Brit Movie Tours. As well as exploring iconic filming locations, the tour also delves into the village’s history, culture and culinary delights. 

Hang out at the beach

Port Isaac’s harbour, known by locals as the Platt, is still home to a working fishing community. The picturesque small boats become grounded at low tide, when you’ll be able to venture onto the sheltered, sandy beach (which is also used for parking). 

A stream runs down the beach and there are rock pools at the sides – perfect for little ones to explore. It’s a lovely place for an ice cream and to get a fantastic viewpoint of the village. If you want to swim, kayak or paddleboard in clear, calm waters, however, head to Port Gaverne, a small sand-and-shingle cove around 0.5 miles east along the coast path. 

Indulge in exceptional seafood 

Set within a 15^th-century fisherman’s cottage on the harbourside in Port Isaac, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is a superb restaurant (one of two in the village run by chef Nathan Outlaw) which has earned a Michelin star for its high-quality cooking. 

The focus is on sustainable seafood, much of which is landed in Port Isaac, or else from boats across Cornwall. Each plate is cooked and served when ready, and the menu changes daily, dictated not only by the seasons but also by the weather. Diners praise not only the creative and delicious flavours, but also the attentiveness of the staff.  

Walk the ‘roller coaster’ coastal path 

Stretch your legs – and raise your heart rate – with an exhilarating walk along the coast path from Port Isaac to the sheltered inlet of Port Quin, and back via the inland route. It’s just under 5 miles in total but may feel like more as the coast path rises and falls dramatically, and there are plenty of winding flights of steps to ensure you keep up your fitness levels. 

You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views, sea birds and birds of prey wheeling above, and possibly the sight of seals in the water. From Port Quin, you can see across the headland to the small fortress of Doyden Castle, a folly built by a Victorian bon viveur to entertain his friends. 

Spot dolphins, seals and puffins on a sea safari

Book a trip on a 12-seater RIB and explore the stunning coastline around Port Isaac from a different viewpoint with local experts Wavehunters. You’re likely to see seabirds, seals, porpoises, dolphins and possibly even a whale, accompanied by fascinating information and stories from your expert skipper. Trips last 90 minutes, one hour or three hours.

Try a thrilling water sport

From a sea kayak or a stand-up paddleboard, you can get to know the beautiful coast around Port Isaac, exploring remote beaches and unspoilt coves and enjoying the wildlife away from the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or already confident with a paddle, Cornish Rock Tors can instruct and take you out on a tour, or simply hire you the equipment. 

For the even more adventurous, they also offer small-group coasteering – scrambling up rocky cliffs, swimming into coves and safely jumping off cliffs. 

Listen to live music 

Choirs and music are an important part of the Cornish identity, and Port Isaac is now famous as the birthplace of the Fisherman’s Friends. If you’re extremely lucky you might be in the village to hear one of their rare, unannounced gigs at the harbour, but otherwise there is still a thriving music scene locally. The village’s popular sea shanty festival is taking a temporary break, but the Golden Lion pub, right by the harbour, hosts live music every Friday and Sunday. 

For the more classically minded, St Endellion Church, nestled among the sand dunes of the golf club, hosts two music festivals each year, at Easter and in summer, bringing musicians from around the world to perform at the church and nearby. 

Cycle the Camel Trail

Head to Wadebridge (7.5 miles) and hire a bike, then wheel off on the Camel Trail towards Padstow or Bodmin. Following an old railway line, each route is about 5.5 miles, family-friendly, largely flat, and both have lovely scenery to enjoy – but the Padstow route follows the River Camel as it widens to an estuary and has gorgeous views of the river. 

Once in Padstow, lock up your bike and explore the many shops and places to eat. Top tip: takeaway fish and chips from Stein’s Fish & Chips on the quayside is a great option. 

Play a round of golf 

Pack your putters and get your drivers at the ready. Keen golfers are well served when staying in Port Isaac, as there are no less than five clubs within 20 miles. 

One of the best is the renowned St Enodoc Golf Club, where you’ll find not one but two scenic links courses: the Church course and the shorter Holywell course. The former is among the top 100 in the world, varied and challenging, including the famous ‘Himalayas’ bunker on the sixth hole and St Enodoc Church beside the tenth. Please note due to the difficulty of the Church course, there are handicap limits of 21.4 (men) and 22.7 (women).

Visit a magical castle

Legends surround Tintagel Castle, once the seat of Cornish kings and said to be the place where King Arthur was conceived. The atmospheric ruins, situated on the coast just 9 miles from Port Isaac, are set partly on the mainland and partly on an island, connected by a jaw-dropping footbridge. 

Explore the remains of the 13^th-century castle and enjoy incredible views from the dramatic headland before scrambling down the cliff path for a walk on the beach below. When the tide’s out you can even venture into the mystical Merlin’s Cave. 

Please note there are steep slopes, sheer drops and uneven surfaces throughout the site. Visitors are asked to follow a one-way route, which means leaving via 140 steep steps.

Stay with us in Port Isaac

With such a great choice of things to do in Port Isaac, we think you won’t be able to resist booking a holiday here soon. Why not take a look at our selection of high-quality cottages? We have Cornish getaways to suit couples, families and large groups, and many are dog friendly, too. Click the link below to find out more.