Situated on a rocky cliff of the northern shores of Cornwall, the quaint fishing village of Port Isaac features narrow alleyways dotted with beautiful white-washed cottages and many historic listed buildings. Holiday-makers can enjoy a truly relaxing atmosphere with many coastal paths to enjoy a stroll along. With a relatively warm climate, amazing scenery and a long coastline, Cornwall is one of the UK’s most scenic and desirable places to visit. Port Isaac is a convenient base from which to visit the many bustling towns, excellent beaches and other picturesque hillside villages of the region. Although Port Isaac only has a tiny shingle beach, lots of other attractive beaches are nearby and many offer excellent surfing conditions.
Where to Stay
Holiday cottages in Port Isaac are a welcome place to enjoy peace and quiet as well as the freedom to come and go as you please. Port Isaac cottages range from traditional stone cottages or more luxurious accommodation, some even boast their own private swimming pool! If a self-catering holiday in Port Isaac is not for you, then why not stay at a friendly bed and breakfast instead? Have a good nights sleep in a cosy bed, then start the day well with a delicious home-cooked breakfast. A bed and breakfast is a perfect choice for a short trip because you don’t need to worry about stocking up on supplies. At a bed and breakfast, the host will also be able to give you lots of tips about the top sights to visit. Self-catering accommodation in Port Isaac is more suitable for visitors wanting to stay for at least a long weekend or even a couple of weeks so you can really feel at home.
Fun Facts
- The name “Port Isaac” comes from the Cornish “Porth Izzick” which means 'corn port'.
- Port Isaac featured as the fictional village of Port Wenn in the TV series “Doc Martin”.
- The village has one of the narrowest thoroughfares in Britain called ‘Squeezy Belly Alley’!
- Port Isaac was an important coastal port from the Middle Ages to the mid 19th century.
- Cornwall is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which is recognised for its influential mining tradition.
Things to See and Do
The village has a long history of trade where regular cargoes of stone, timber and pottery were imported and exported right up till the mid 19th century. When the harbour was too small to receive the new commercial vessels, the village became a fishing port. Today, aside from fishing, tourism plays an increasing role in the towns livelihood. Regular fishing trips or scenic boat tours leave from Port Isaac Harbour throughout the summer. Both Port Isaac and the nearby hamlet of Port Gaverne offer lovely walking paths which lead along the coast as well as inland.There are many events and attractions that you can see in the surrounding region. The nearby town of Wadebridge is just a 20-minute drive away where you can go shopping, sailing or bike riding. It also hosts the annual Cornwall Folk Festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend with lots of home-grown musical talent as well as international folk artists performing every year.The closest golf course is located just 8 kilometres away in St Kew, and there are many more well-known golf courses within easy reach by car. If a day of 18-hole golf doesn’t relax you enough, then you can take a scenic and leisurely journey on the Bodmin Steam Railway or whisk the family away for a daytrip to the sandy beach at Daymer Bay.One of the best surfing beaches in North Cornwall is located just 10 minutes' drive away at Polzeath Beach. However, if surfing is your passion, you’ll want to take a trip to Newquay which boasts the honor of being the surf capital of the UK! Further along the coast to the south is the town of St Ives where you will be greeted by clear turquoise water and beautiful white sandy beaches. For a more cultural opportunity, St Ives also hosts a branch of the Tate Gallery.
Getting Around
It is easy and quick to get around the village on foot and there are many paths you can follow which will provide panoramic sea and cliff views. In fact, there is a large car park at the top of the hill in town where you can admire the stunning views of the coastline. The hamlet of Port Gaverne is just 500 metres from the centre of the village and it has a cute shingle beach and a little beach shop.The area is well-serviced by Western National Buses which connect to the towns of Bude, Newquay and many other towns and villages along the way. Bus services run every day, including on Sundays in the summer. For those with a car, Newquay can be reached within around 45 minutes and has the main airport in Cornwall. St Ives is about an hour and 20 minutes’ drive away.