Y’all, my mom introduced me to the Doc Martin series on Netflix while I was visiting her last weekend, and I am officially smitten with Port Wenn! It’s really called Port Isaac, and it’s located in Cornwall, England about 4 hours west of London. I couldn’t add it to my bucket list quick enough!
It’s the inlet on the right in the photo below:
(Source)
The timeless village, which clusters around a centuries-old fishing harbor, has been a conservation area since 1969.
The stunning, natural coastline, is speckled with whitewashed granite cottages, and has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, most of which is in the care of the National Trust. The harbor still accommodates an active fleet of crab and lobster boats and that area inside those sea walls (in the distance in the photo below) is known as the Platt:
When the tide is out, they use it as a seating area for concerts…
…and throughout the day it’s used as a parking lot:
Cars must be moved by 7 o’clock though, because if they’re not, they’ll float out to sea:
Most of the village center consists of old pubs, gift shops, galleries, restaurants, tea rooms and pastry shops. Oh how I’d love to spend a day just roaming around all those skinny streets!
The narrowest one is called Squeeze Belly Alley, and it measures just 18 inches wide in certain spots:
(There is an incredible old photo of some folks pulling a large boat through town at this link: Port Isaac Lifeboat if you’d like to see it!)
And speaking of walking around, The Slipway Hotel wrote this about the village, “Narrow ways thread down the hillside giving glimpses of colourful gardens and delightful views over the roof tops to the harbour. It is best viewed from the well-maintained coastal footpath – the riot of colour from the wild flowers in spring must be seen to be believed“.
(Photo by Paul Moulton at Southwest Coast Path)
Isn’t that path spectacular!? I loved looking through all the photos of it at SouthwestCoastPath.com! This one, taken at sunset by David Carvey, is especially breathtaking:
(Photo by David Carvey at SouthwestCoastPath.com)
I did some searching around online and found a list of places to stay called 30 Best Port Isaac Rentals, but the place I’d really like to stay in wasn’t on that list. It’s called Sea Cove Cottage:
(Photos: Sea Cove Cottage)
(Doc Martin watchers, you will recognize it as Louisa’s cottage on the show!)
Kildare looks like a cute one, too:
And of course, we would have to visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan:
(Barn Owl Tower)
…and The Eden Project:
(Mom, you must visit that link!)
Their site says the Top 10 reasons to visit are:
- the world’s largest rainforest in captivity with steamy jungles and waterfalls
- cutting-edge architecture and buildings
- stunning garden displays all year round
- world-class sculpture and art
- evening gigs, concerts and an ice rink in the winter
- educational centre and demonstrations to inspire all ages
- brilliant local, fairly-traded food in the restaurants and cafes
- a Rainforest Canopy Walkway, where you can take a stunning walk among the treetops
- living example of regeneration and sustainable living
- free ride on our land train, often pulled by a tractor.
Sounds pretty awesome to me! 😀
I’d also love to bike The Camel Trail.
It’s listed as one of the top 5 bike trails in England, and RoughGuides.com says this about the ride:
“Following eighteen miles of blissfully level, mostly traffic-free disused railway track from pretty-as-a-picture Padstow to the foot of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall’s Camel Trail is about as perfect a cycle route for families as it’s possible to imagine. Families flock here because it’s easy-going for little legs, and for even littler passengers in bike seats, trailers or on tag-alongs, all of which are available from cycle hire outlets. It’s not just the accessibility that’s inviting; this is a stunning trail along which the landscape changes character continuously as you roll from the sandbanks and rocky shores (Betjeman called the route “the most beautiful train journey I know”), through wooded valley thickets to granite-studded moorland. Peer out to creeks and sandbanks to see egrets, herons and oystercatchers; wow at water skiers on the Camel Estuary; stop for a Cornish ice cream; and take a detour to Camel Valley Vineyard for an award-winning tipple.”
And don’t even get me started on the food in Port Isaac.
Crab on sourdough toast at Outlaws Fish Kitchen…YUM!
I loved what The Food Tourist wrote about this next Outlaw dish, too: “Their smoked haddock scotch egg was just delicious. The egg had a runny centre and the curry sauce was light and totally delicious. We had to quickly order some bread so we could wipe the plate clean. Full marks!”
I’d love to sit at table #10 at The Mote, too…
(Doc Martin watchers, that’s Bert Large’s restaurant across the way!)
…and eat a piece of whatever this is:
I peeked at the menu and I *think* it’s their honeycomb, meringue & ice cream layer cake with raspberry coulis. Mmmmmmm!
Off to find something sweet…or seafood-y. 🙂
PS- I also found this link VERY inspiring while I was researching Port Isaac the other day: 15 Amazing Places To Visit In the U.K., and if you’d like to check out an absolutely stunning blog post by a photographer that visited Port Isaac, click here: Victoria Phipps. It’s incredible!
Florin
Hi Layla!
What a great article and amazing pictures. Thanks for mention our blog in your article. I’ve been in UK for 3 months (2010 – in Plymouth) and I never saw a country like that so so clean and beautiful. Of course I’ve been to Tintagel and to Eden Project. There at Eden Project I spent 1 day and I can say that it’s a unique place. Ofcourse I’ve visited the Cornwall Region and I had so great pictures but I need to make some time to create some articles about that. On our blog we had several articles about the gardens from UK, all that content it’s unique and so beautiful gardens images. We are writing 1 article with UK gardens and parks per week.
Many many thanks!
Let’s keep in touch 🙂
Lisa
I’d like to begin watching the series. Could you please advise which program to start with? It looks confusing with all the different series and features. Thanks!
Lorraine
Yes please!!!! That place looks absolutely charming and breathtaking and wonderful and all kinds of glorious!!! I’ll have to check out Doc Martin haven heard of it before!!
Carole Wood
Have spent many holidays in Cornwall – exploring Heligan, Eden Project, St Ives, Land’s end etc and stayed in many pretty cottages as that is our favourite type of holiday. There are many properties and areas protected by the National Trust which are always worth a visit. Glad to hear that the UK TV programs travel well – we are currently watching Poldark – also set in Cornwall – so watch out for that in the future.
caroline
I love Doc Martin, amd Port Isaac has been on my bucket list for a few years. I didn’t know about the Lost Gardens, though – now I really want to go. Great photos- thanks for sharing!
Laura McDaniel
OMG Layla,
This is amazing – a very must bucket list location! Thank you for sharing. I am a huge cottage fan (which is also why I love your blog) and this even further cements that. 🙂
I’m adding some photos to my blog of Cannon Beach, Oregon cottages – but by no means are they as fabulous as this. But CB is a great beach drive for us from Seattle and I’m hoping that it never becomes one of ‘those’ communities as well that ends up with ugly sky scraping condos (Kirkland, WA) where I live has now become that ugly style – rather sad.
L Jones
We have watched the entire series and loved it. You really need to start with episode 1. Netfilx did have a couple of movies, but you do not have to see them to understand what’s going on with the characters. You do want to start the series from the beginning to learn all of the character quirks!
Elizabeth
I have watched the Doc Martin series two or three times already. For the beauty of the area, the kooky community, the love story, the accents….I’m ready to move there. If I can’t do that, then I will for sure visit. Boy it’s beautiful. What fun you must have had digging up these photos to share with us!!
Kathleen W.
I love the Doc Martin series and Cornwall is high on my bucket list ! I first read about Cornwall in several of Rosamunde Pilcher’s books (Coming Home, The Shell Seeker’s) about 20 years ago. I was entranced by her descriptions of the area and once I saw Doc Martin I knew that I must go and explore….hopefully one of these days I will see it in person ! Great post 🙂
Betsy
Hi Layla,
I currently live in England recognize that last photo to be a scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream. It’s one of my favorites here in this country! I would bet that everything on that plate is home made. We haven’t been to Cornwall yet, but after reading your blog, I will definitely make a point of it.
mattie
wow!!!! makes me want to go so much more now .I am part Irish and have always wanted to go to Ireland .the beautiful greenery they have because of so much rain, is breath taking .your pics ,made me salivate .lol. I could just picture me walking those streets ,visiting those places ,staying in that cottage. awwwww ,if only in my dreams .thank you so much for posting .made my day a little more relaxing .
Karen
Sea Cove Cottage was in one of the Country Living issues years ago. From the pictures it still looks the same. I recognized it immediately, such a lovely place.
Nicole
I love Doc Martin and now want to visit the town even more! thanks for sharing 🙂
Maria
Layla-
I’m there! (not literally, of course)
This place is filled with whimsey and adventure! Thanks for helping me to Nag my husband to go here!
Warmly,
Maria
Catherine
Our son new this was one of my all time favorite shows and bought me the DVD set for Christmas. I love painting to my favorite shows!
Catherine
I can’t seem to spell today. I meant “knew”.
leslie
Hi Layla,
Thank you so much for the breathtaking tour of Port Isaac/ Port Wenn!! I, too, love Doc Martin! Your pictures made everything come to life!! I sure hope you get to experience this lovely trip on your bucket list someday!!
Love your blog and keeping up with your sweet pea!! Blessings!
Thanks!
Nell
I love that show! Thanks for a great post. You made my day and made me want to visit there.
Katrina
I love Doc Martin and my goal is to visit Port Issac too – my bestie actually lives in England and was just there last weekend, I’m visiting her in Sept and this is on my to do list while there!!
Grace
I’m from Devon, which is pretty close to Cornwall – port Isaac is a really pretty town to visit, and plenty of lovely beaches to see around too.
If you do get to visit, the Eden project do concerts, which are just incredible – the domes all light up in different colours, one of the best venues I have ever been to.
Hope you get a chance to make a visit!!
B Folk
I used to watch Doc Martin, too…until, one episode, there was quite the storyline about a May-December romance that had inappropriate scenes. Why they felt it necessary to burn my eyeballs with that stuff was beyond me. Also, there were children wandering in and out of the room while I was watching (at a relative’s home). I have never watched it again, not knowing what surprise would be next. A shame, it was a fun show to watch. If you have never watched the show, be forewarned.
That said, the countryside is beautiful!
Sunny
How charming..we couldn’t afford to get away and reading your blog felt like a little holiday..even with highlights on the food. You could write a travel blog..you know.
Anyway, God does give us the desires of our heart, and I hope you, Kevin. Sweet P, and your mom will get the chance to visit one day :}
Margaret
Layla! You have such a talent for tracking down the best! What a gorgeous village, and thank you for sharing.
There are many lovely little villages in country England; we were there many years ago and stumbled over only some of them (sadly, not this one). Some don’t allow cars into the village, which has always appealed to me – whenever I watch Doc Martin I’m disappointed to see the cars.
Have to tell you, I think the last picture is of scones with jam and clotted cream. In Australia we have something similar but call it ‘Devonshire Tea’, in Devon they are called ‘Cream Teas’. The clotted cream is very particular, and only possible in Devon – it’s worth going just for that!
xx
MM
Amy Strauss
Layla, you need to watch BBC’s new show “Poldark”, based on the book series. It was filmed here! The show is fantastic….I’m watching online and will air on PBS soon. The scenery is incredible! Thanks for sharing this!
Jess
One of my fondest memories is watching this series in the evening with my grandparents. I think the quirky characters are great and love the humor of the show. I smiled seeing this here. 🙂
Alethea
Layla, I have been a long time fan of your site and I can’t tell you how happy I was to see this post! I moved to Canada from Cornwall 5 years ago and everything you say is true. The scenery is incredibly beautiful, there are the most gorgeous beaches and tint villages and the smuggling history there is so interesting! We also have the best food 🙂 go visit, and you will come back witha restful soul!
Rose L.
I would have been forever wandering through the town and those gardens!!!!
Rebecca
I got hooked on Doc Martin too. By myself, I sat one day….or two and watched a marathon of it on Netflix. I have to agree with B Folk. There was one show with a very crude scene that no doubt was meant to be funny…..to somebody. Awkward!!
Anywho, love the quaint little village. And how about those cars speeding through their little village on those narrow winding roads? Amazing!!
Suzanne B.
Hi Layla
I have been to Port Wenn. You will not feel disappointed if you ever go. 🙂 It is lovely. We have gone to Cornwall on vacation for three summers in a row. It is my favorite place in the whole world. We stay in St Ives and then take day tours with a small family-owned company called Western Discoveries. Russ is really nice, down-to-earth, and very knowledgable about western Cornwall. He has become a family friend.
If you do go up to Port Wenn, you will also need to go a bit farther up the coast to Tintagel. I feel happy just thinking about lovely Cornwall.
(ps I echo a previous comment to beware the one, random gross Doc Martin episode 18 in series 3. It is called The Admirer or The GP Always Rings Twice. It is worth skipping.)
Suzanne B.
I should have typed “Port Isaac,” not “Port Wenn.” 🙂
Suzanne B.
ps I mean I’ve been to Port Isaac, not to Port Wenn. LOL. Sorry. I got caught up in the excitement of Doc Martin!
Steve
I LOVE Doc Martin! I watch the show as much for the location shots as for the show itself. I love Cornwall, although I have never been to Port Isaac. It was not nearly as famous when I was last in England as it has become now.
If (when) you get there, another wonderful village to visit is Clovelly, very close to Cornwall, just over the line in Devon. You’d love it.
Happy Homemaker UK
I am American who lived in England for the last 4 years. We fell in LOVE with Cornwall and visited it when we could. I love that you have spotlighted this area, as so many Americans typically don’t travel that far from London. I’d also add adorable artsy St Ives and Watergate Bay for gentle surfing for beginners. Really, just anywhere is Cornwall is absolutely fab!
beth
We love Doc Martin so much! Can’t wait for the next season to come out on Netflix. We binge watched the entire series so far, and I miss it. 🙁
Wouldn’t it be lovely to visit Port Isaac someday, and to stay in Louisa’s cottage. Aaagh! That would be awesome! 🙂
Thanks for finding all the great picks. I pinned a bunch!
Beth.
sharon hermens
Doc Martin is one of my favorite shows. We have to wait till late this year before we get to see him again. I’m having withdrawal symptoms!
Linda
Whatever that dessert is, its topped off with clotted cream. I live in Devon, the next county over, and we love clotted cream too!
Diana
Absolutely in love!
Will check out Doc Martin!
phyllis
Thank you for telling me about this series! I found it on Hulu and am having a blast. Sure would be fun to go there!
Cindy Young
Layla! Doug and I have watched Doc Martin for long time! I’m glad you like the show too. I’ve often said to Doug we need to visit that place. So glad you provided more info. We’ll definitely have to visit. Miss the neighborhood! Tell everyone hello.
Sara K.
Great timing! Just got the hubs to start watching Doc with me this past weekend… And mentioned last night that the little village from the show is now on my bucket list!
you’ve done all the research for us!
Sweet surprises every time I stop into your blog:)!
Jan
oooooh, been needing a new series to watch and started Doc Martin last night – thanks!
The Shell Seekers has long been a favorite novel and the scenery on Doc Martin is similar to what I’ve imagined when reading it…dreamy!
sara
Hi! I holiday in Cornwall every year, we have been to Port Issac- quaint lovely place. If I could tell you what the sweet is in your last picture, it is called a cream tea which consists of scone jam and clotted cream. Wonderful!
Mary Spring
I, too, am smitten with Doc Martin. I was just recently introduced to it. I think I like it so much because Doc reminds me of my 33 year old son who is in his second year of medical school. Out of our four sons, our Adam is by far, the grumpiest but he has a huge heart that shows in the most tender and strange ways like Doc Martin. I left my heart in London a few years ago and really feel the need to go back and reclaim it and when I do I must go to doc martins place also! I pray for your family often as we too experienced the heartaches and utter JOY of adopting a granddaughter from Guatemala. Blessings to you.
Sarah W
If you haven’t seen it, you must watch “Saving Grace” the wonderfully funny British film in which the Doc Martin character is created. The film was written by Craig Ferguson (who also stars in it) and contains much beautiful scenery of Port Isaac as well as well as the beautiful Cornwall home and gardens of the title character.
Talitha
If you like looking at houses in the U.K., you might enjoy the program ‘Escape to the country’, on Youtube. They have episodes from all over the country, you could give in Cornwall for that specific area.
Annette
Hi. I love your blog. I stumbled upon it while researching what to do with our horrid closet space in our master bedroom. We are definitely stealing your idea of gluing mirrors and trim to the doors. Then, I found your love for Port Isaac and Doc Marten. I became obsessed with the show about a year and a half ago. Sadly my in-laws (who raised my husband and his brother in London) have emigrated to the States, so I am not sure if we will ever make it to Port Wen/Isaac in the foreseeable future but It is definitely on my bucket list.