Hidden amidst towering clifftops and the Atlantic coastline of North Cornwall, Port Isaac has become a major tourist destination in the region. The village’s success can be attributed to its beauty, its famous restaurants, its time as a filming location for Doc Martin, and its associations with the popular Fisherman’s Friends band.
Characterised by its whitewashed houses on narrow lanes that cascade down to the harbour, it’s a place full of Cornish charm. Port Isaac is also well-placed for visiting North Cornwall highlights such as Tintagel Castle, Bodmin Moor, Padstow, Rock, Polzeath, and the Camel Trail.
We have put together a handy guide to Port Isaac for you, so you can plan your holiday cottage break in advance. Why not visit our collection of Port Isaac accommodation by clicking on the button below?
Yes, Port Isaac does have a handful of shops, many of which are around the harbour. These include handy shops to buy food and drink, as well as craft shops and galleries.
Yes, at low tide there is a beach at Port Isaac. It stretches out from the twin harbour arms and is accessible via a slipway opposite The Slipway Hotel. Although it is a working beach for fishermen, we thoroughly recommend nearby Polzeath (6.5 miles) for a larger leisure-focused beach with surf hire shops.
Port Isaac is very famous indeed. Everybody has heard of the acapella singing group, Fisherman’s Friends, for their LPs and the popular movies about their rise to success. Port Isaac was also used as a filming location for the Martin Clunes-starring Doc Martin, along with the nineties comedy film Saving Grace.
Port Isaac also has a good reputation as a foodie destination. Read on to find out about the village’s best places to eat.
Port Isaac is a village. The closest large town for provisions is Wadebridge.

About Port Isaac
Port Isaac boasts a rich history that dates back to the mid-1300s when it was recorded as a fishing and trading village. The village’s name derives from the Cornish word for corn, ‘Yzack,’ which reflects the village's former role in grain exports.
Port Isaac became a thriving port when the harbour was dredged during the Tudor era. Even later, in the 19th century, Port Isaac found success as a vibrant pilchard fishing hub, with up to 50 fishing boats registered in the harbour. Boat building also became a notable activity during this period, adding to the village's maritime significance.
In recognition of its historical and cultural value, the historic core of Port Isaac became a designated Conservation Area in 1971. This status helps preserve the unique character of the village, allowing visitors and residents to enjoy the picturesque setting and its rich heritage. Today it is a vibrant holiday destination with access to the South West Coast Path, and some lovely coastal views. There is lots of parking in Port Isaac to cater for the large influx of visitors every summer. Read on to discover its many highlights.
Things to do in Port Isaac
Enjoy your stay in Port Isaac by visiting the village’s and local area’s top visitor attractions. Read on to discover our favourite Port Isaac attractions.

Discover Port Isaac Harbour
The village centres around the picture-perfect harbour of Port Isaac. Gone are the days of a fifty-boat-strong herring fishing fleet, but you can still see a decent number of colourful fishing craft bobbing on the water. You can enjoy the views of the harbour from the short promenade and from the cliffs and hillsides that encircle it.
Good to know:
- Location: Port Isaac Harbour, Port Isaac, PL29 3SG
- Opening times: Always open
- Entry fee: Free entry
- Stay nearby: Seacroft | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Explore the beaches around Port Isaac
Port Isaac has some great beaches within a 10-mile radius. From surfing hotspots to family-friendly hangouts, read on to find out more.

Daymer Bay
Daymer Bay (7 miles) is located near the Camel River Estuary and the upmarket village of Rock. Made unique by the large humpbacked Brea Hill which towers above Daymer Bay’s sands, this beach is a popular choice with young families. With shallow waters on calm weather days, great views and rock pools galore, Daymer Bay should be on your list of places to visit when on holiday in Port Isaac.
Polzeath Beach
Just 6.5 miles away from Port Isaac, Polzeath Beach is popular with surfers and sunbathers (when the weather is right). It is also home to some nice cafes and pubs for well-earned refreshments. When the tide goes out, a long, flat and sandy beach is revealed between the low headlands to its north and south.
Good to know:
- Daymer Bay: Sand and rock pools | dog-friendly all year round | parking and WCs | ice cream van in the summer
- Polzeath Beach: Sand | dog-friendly (with restrictions) | parking and WCs | pubs and cafes nearby
- Stay nearby: Bars House | Sleeps 9 + 2 dogs

Explore Port Isaac’s museum
Visit St Peter’s Church, which is home to a series of travelling and permanent exhibitions that focus on Port Isaac’s history of fishing, and The Fisherman’s Friends. You can also find out about the village’s lifeboat, schooldays and the lives of refugees who made Port Isaac their home during the World Wars of the early 20th century.
Good to know:
- Location: St Peter’s Church, Fore Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RF
- Opening times: Daily from 10am–4pm
- Entry fee: Free (donations welcome)
- Stay nearby: Delphi Cottage | Sleeps 3 + 2 dogs

Book a tour of Doc Martin filming locations
As you may know by now, Port Isaac has been used as a filming location for Doc Martin. You can book a 90-minute Doc Martin tour run by Brit Movie Tours that stays within the village. The tour takes in all the major locations from the series.
Good to know:
- Location: The half-day tour will collect you from your holiday residence; the 90-minute tour sets off from Harbour Treats, 4 Church Hill, Port Isaac, PL29 3RQ
- Prices: Brit Movie Tours – £15.00 per person
- Opening times: 12pm tours – daily (November to January) | 11am and 1pm tours – daily (February to October)
- Stay nearby: Bumblebee Cottage | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

Shopping in Port Isaac
Port Isaac is a superb place to buy art as there are three galleries here: Secrets, Cliffside, and Martyn Dempsey. Here you can find all kinds of art from paintings to sculptures, and bespoke gifts to remind you of your holiday in North Cornwall. You can pick up some pottery and crafted goods from Port Isaac Pottery too, which is very popular with locals and visitors.
Good to know:
- Cliffside: 2 The Terrace, Port Isaac, PL29 3LG
- Martyn Dempsey: 42 Fore Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RD
- Secrets: Billings Row Gallery, Fore Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RD
- Port Isaac Pottery: Roscarrock Hill, Port Isaac, PL29 3RG
- Stay nearby: The Bearoak Shippon | Sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Restaurants and pubs in Port Isaac
One thing is for sure on your trip to Port Isaac, you won’t go hungry, given the culinary delights on offer from a cohort of well-regarded chefs. The village may be small, but its reputation for quality food and drink is rarely matched in the South West. Even if you prefer something low key like a cream tea at the harbour or some fish and chips, those who like a spot of fine dining are also well-catered for in Port Isaac.
As with most Cornish seaside villages, there are some excellent pubs to choose from. While away an afternoon and some evenings and partake in some Cornish ales and West Country cider. Read below to learn more about our Port Isaac favourites.

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw and Fish Kitchen – best for seafood
Chef Nathan Outlaw has two restaurants in Port Isaac, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw and Fish Kitchen. The former is slightly more upmarket, so dress to kill and tuck into some of the best seafood dishes on Cornwall's North Coast. The latter is situated in Port Isaac’s old building where you can enjoy harbour views as you dine.
For seafood, also try out The Mote, and Pilchards in nearby Port Gaverne.
Good to know:
- Location: Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, 6 New Road, Port Isaac, PL29 3RB | Fish Kitchen, 1 Middle Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RH
- Opening times: Restaurant Nathan Outlaw – Tuesday 6pm–9pm, Wednesday to Saturday 12–3pm and 6pm–9pm (closed Sunday and Monday) | Fish Kitchen – Monday 6pm–9pm, Tuesday to Saturday 12–3pm and 6pm–9pm (closed Sunday)
- Why not try: The seafood tasting menu is not to be missed
- Stay nearby: Jobes Cottage | Sleeps 4

The Golden Lion – great pub food
Looking for a wonderful pub with views and good old-fashioned pub food? Well, The Golden Lion is a big favourite with locals and visitors to Port Isaac alike. With open fires and a terrace to drink and dine out on, this is a welcoming place to relax in between touring the countryside around Port Isaac. All of the meals are sourced from local produce where possible, and the ales come from St Austell Brewery. Also, try out The Slipway Inn, which is at the harbour’s edge.
Good to know:
- Location: The Golden Lion, 10 Fore Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RB
- Opening times: Daily 10am–11pm
- Why not try: Sunday roast
- Stay nearby: Helstone Sunnyside | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

The Delibox – best for lunches
The Delibox is the place to go for a light lunch to eat in or take away as you rest on the beach or walk the harbour arm. It’s a delightful little place where you can buy Cornish food products from local brands and enjoy an authentic slice of West Country life. It’s a friendly place, and you won’t leave without something delicious to eat.
Good to know:
- Location: Delibox, New Road, Port Isaac, PL29 3RB
- Opening times: Opening hours are not available online at present (The Delibox is closed from November to February)
- Why not try: Crab sandwiches
- Stay nearby: Rosemayne | Sleeps 8 + 1 dog

Pengelly’s Fish and Chips – best for takeaway treats
Everybody loves a cheeky bag of fish and chips on their seaside holidays, don’t they? Well, Port Isaac has a few chippies to pick from, but we’d single Pengelly’s out as our favourite. Look out for seagulls as you walk around the harbour – they love Pengelly’s fish and chips too.
Good to know:
- Location: Pengelly’s Fish and Chips, 60 Fore Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RB
- Opening times: Daily 12–2.30pm and 4pm–8pm
- Why not try? Fishcakes and chips
- Stay nearby: Pebble Cottage | Sleeps 4
Map of Port Isaac
Use our handy map to track down all the places mentioned in this guide.
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Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Port Isaac
Treat yourself and your loved ones to a stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages in Port Isaac. We hope we have inspired your next break to the North Cornwall coast. Browse our collection of properties for your Port Isaac holiday today by clicking on the button below.
Holiday cottages in Port Isaac