England – Cornwall – Port Isaac (En)

Port Isaac is a truly picturesque village, with narrow, winding streets lined with whitewashed cottages overlooking a small harbour. Set amidst rugged and magnificent coastal scenery, you can understand why it has become a filming location for movies and TV shows.

What to see

The comedy Saving Grace about a widow growing marijuana in a small Cornish village was filmed here, featuring actor Martin Clunes playing a doctor, leading to the popular television series Doc Martin, filmed mainly in and around Port Isaac, which became a huge ratings hit. Visitors to the village can wander around and discover the locations where scenes were filmed, from Dr Ellingham’s house on the west side of the harbour to Mrs Tishell’s pharmacy in Middle Street.

Port Isaac has one of the narrowest alleyways in the UK, some say the world! Known both as Temple Bar and Squeezy Belly Alley, at its narrowest point it is only 18 inches wide. It runs from the Platt on the harbour up into the village.

We went to Just Shellfish where we got crab, lobster and a crayfish and shrimp sandwich. I have to say it was the best lobster I have ever had!

We walked up the narrow alley to where we had parked our car at a hotel and took some amazing photos of the harbour and surrounding area.

Our next stop is Looe, a picturesque harbour where colourful fishing boats bob on the water, where the BBC mystery drama Beyond Paradise takes place, which you can watch in the next blog!