Local Towns, sites, and activities, North Cornwall.

 

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his wife Jackie, who have a house and shop nearby.

LINKS


ROCK:


PADSTOW:


TINTAGEL:


WADEBRIDGE:


BUDE:


RESTAURANTS:


SITES AND ACTIVITIES


WEATHER


BEACHES

   An extremely attractive fishing village where Squeeze-ee-belly alley weaves down a harbour hemmed in by fish cellars.  Port Isaac is a delightful place to visit with a wonderful harbour restaurants and shops.  The narrow winding streets and “opes” are lined with old white-washed cottages and traditional granite slate-fronted Cornish Houses.  Here Poldark has been filmed and presently the series Doc Martin. Port Isaac was a busy port handling stone, coal timber and pottery up until the 18th and 19th centuries. After the arrival of the railway it became principally a fishing port. Today as well as fishing tourism plays an increasing important  role.

Squeeze-ee-belly alley


    Visitors are advised to use the large car park at the top of the hill and walk down to the village. Every Day including summer Sundays Western national buses run between Bude and Newquay – via Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Trelights, Polzeath, Rock, Wadebridge and Padstow.


    There are wonderful coastal footpaths . Nearby beaches of Polzeath and Crackington are great for surfing.   Dogs are not permitted on these beaches from April to September. However at Daymer Bay there is a pet friendly beach.


    During the main season you can book fishing or scenic trips from the harbour.  Homer Park offers horse riding in the region.  Cycling along the Camel Trail where cycles can be hired.  The nearest golf course is an 18 hole Bowood near Camelford and the classic St Enodoc and Trevose.  Camelford has a Sports Centre as does Wadebridge and Bodmin a Leisure Centre. There are also two steam Railways in the area, one at Launceston, narrow gauge and the second at Bodmin.

Doc Martin

        This British Television comedy drama starred Martin Clunes as a doctor, (Martin Ellingham), whose career is cut short when he develops a phobia about operating.  His  tactless manner causes mayhem in the small Cornish community.  Created by Dominic Minghella the series was filmed in location in the village of Port Isaac with many of the interior scenes carried out in a converted barn on a local farm. 

Saving Grace


    This comedy/crime film starred Brenda Blethyn, Craig Ferguson and Martin Clunes and was filmed in 2000.  The main character, Grace Trevethyn, finds herself penniless when her husband  commits suicide.  Grace faces loosing her house.  Together with her gardener she uses her plant cultivation skills to grow marijuana.

Amy Foster


    Or Swept from the Sea, as it is also known, is a 1997 movie based on the story of Amy Foster, by Joseph Conrad. It stars Rachel Weisz, Vincent Perez, Ian McKellen, Kathy Bates and Zoe Wanamaker and was directed by Beeban Kidron.  The story is about a Russian unable to speak English but able to play chess, shipwrecked on the coast of Cornwall on his way to America. The film is set in 1907. 

    In recent years the village has become home for part of the year to many celebrities including Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (who’s wife has a shop near the port), actress Julie Peasgood and presenter Lorne Spicer.

Nearby attractions It is advisable to use the large car park at the top of the hill as trying to negotiate the narrow streets can be difficult. From here it is possible also to see Port Gaverne. Being an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Heritage Coastal Area there are many lovely walks along the coast and inland. Port Isaac has an RNLI lifeboat station with a Class D inshore lifeboat. The port was originally known as Port Izzard and in earlier times as Portissyk . In Cornish it is pronounces Porthusek. Dating from Saxon times it has a long history, The pier was constructed in the reign of Henry VIII and is still visible. PORT GAVERNE This is still a very pretty unspoilt cove close to Port Isaac. Wonderful rock pools with a sheltered sandy beach ideal for small children. Many of the buildings are now accommodation and there is also an old Inn. PORT QUIN This port is owned mainly by the National Trust. After a storm a large proportion of the men were killed and the village was deserted. It is now a peaceful place with only one commercial outlet, a small food trailer that has tea coffee and snacks during the summer. ST ENDELLION Here classical musical festivals are held in the Parish Church at Easter and Midsummer. Here also is the Long Cross on Doyden’s Head and Port Quin Bay LONG CROSS VICTORIAN GARDEN These large original Victorian gardens are cover over 2 acres and feature a maze, small lake, dovecote an area for children to play together with a pets corner.shapeimage_19_link_0shapeimage_19_link_1

Long Cross Gardens