A day out in Port Isaac from Rock
Port Isaac is a short drive up the coast from Rock, and it is one of the best day trips in North Cornwall: a working fishing harbour, steep whitewashed lanes, a coast path starting at the door and, for many visitors, the Port Wenn of Doc Martin.
We look after TREALLEN ROCK, a luxury holiday house in Rock, Cornwall, UK that sleeps six, and Port Isaac is where we send guests who want a change from the estuary and the beaches. This guide is a plan for the day, built from the places we would take a friend. It is a starting point, not a timetable.
A note on the details: opening hours, parking charges and seasons change, and some places close or cut back in winter. Please check each place before you set off, and arrive early in summer and the school holidays.
Getting to Port Isaac from Rock
By car: the easiest way. It is a short drive from TREALLEN ROCK, with a drive time of 15 minutes. Leave the car at the top of the village and walk down.
Parking: use the Main Car Park or the New Road Car Park, both at the top of the village. It is roughly a 5 to 10 minute walk down to the harbour. Driving into the village is discouraged because the lanes are narrow. Check the machine for current charges, and arrive early in summer.
On foot: about 12 miles on the South West Coast Path, with steep climbs and some tide-dependent beach sections, so we would treat it as a drive and walk locally. See our three coastal walks straight from Rock for walks that start at the door.
The hill home: the lanes are steep, so wear good shoes and allow time for the climb back up to the car park.
What to do in Port Isaac
Walk the harbour and the Platt
Start at the harbour, where local boats still land their catch. The slipway leads down to the beach, which is best at low tide, with large rock pools to explore. Check the tide times before you go.
Find the Doc Martin locations
Port Isaac stands in for Port Wenn in Doc Martin, and the village also featured in the film Fisherman's Friends. A guided filming-location tour starts near the harbour if you want the full tour, or you can simply wander the lanes and see what you recognise.
Browse the shops and galleries
The lanes above the harbour have small galleries, craft shops and gift shops, including the Cliffside Gallery and The Boathouse. Opening times vary, so check before you go.
Walk to Port Gaverne
Port Gaverne is a sheltered cove about half a mile east along the South West Coast Path, with rock pools and a restaurant and café. It is an easy way to add a short coast walk to the day. The path is steep in places, so wear sturdy shoes.
Try the water
Local operators offer coasteering, kayaking and paddleboarding. Book ahead and check the conditions before you plan on it. For something tamer nearer to Rock, see our guide to the best beaches near Rock.
Where to eat and drink
Port Isaac is known for seafood, and most places are small, so book ahead for dinner and in the school holidays.
Seafood: Outlaw's Fish Kitchen is in the village, and there are other fish and seafood places around the harbour. For more seafood restaurants in the county, see our guide to celebrity restaurants in Cornwall.
A pub with a view: The Golden Lion looks over the harbour, and The Slipway is close to the beach.
Lunch at Port Gaverne: the restaurant and café at the cove are a good stop on the walk.
Cream tea: the Cornish Cove serves cream teas you can take down to the harbour.
Back near Rock: see our guides to gastro pubs in North Cornwall and eating out in Polzeath.
Where to stay
TREALLEN ROCK is a luxury holiday house in Rock that sleeps six across three double bedrooms, a good base for a day in Port Isaac and a day on the beach. It has a games room and a west-facing garden, Rock beach is a short walk or a 3 minute drive away, and every stay includes a Cornish welcome hamper. It is a pet free property, and the hot tub runs in July and August. For more ideas, see our guides to the best beaches near Rock and 10 rainy day activities near Rock.
To check dates, book direct.
FAQs
How far is Port Isaac from Rock? It is a short drive up the coast. On foot it is about 12 miles on the South West Coast Path, which is a long, hilly walk, so most visitors drive.
Where do I park in Port Isaac? At the Main Car Park or the New Road Car Park at the top of the village, then walk down to the harbour. Driving into the village is discouraged.
Is Port Isaac the Doc Martin village? Yes. It stands in for Port Wenn in Doc Martin, and a filming-location tour starts near the harbour.
Is it suitable for a wet day? Parts of it are, with galleries, shops and a pub or café stop, but the lanes are steep and slippery in the rain. Our rainy day guide has other ideas.
How many guests does TREALLEN ROCK sleep? Six, across three double bedrooms, one with an en-suite.
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