Port Isaac

Home to shanty singing legends The Fisherman’s Friends, the quaint and picturesque backdrop of Port Isaac also provides the iconic setting for longstanding TV series Doc Martin, which attracts fans from all over the world to this typically Cornish town.

The area itself is rich in fishing heritage and maritime history, with its two nearby ports (Port Quin and Port Gaverne) once having been busy coastal ports for shipping stone, coal, timber and pottery. These days, visitors can still head down to the harbour and watch local fishermen as they land their daily catch.

Port Isaac also runs a busy year-round events calendar, with St Endellion Church and St Endellion Hall both providing a worthy space for performances across a variety of genres. The hall hosts regular art exhibitions, workshops and meetings, and is also used for many local community events.

St Endellion Church, an important hub for art and culture lovers, stages concerts throughout the year. The venue has welcomed performers such as Helen Chadwick, a well-respected singer with a repertoire of haunting a cappella harmony songs, as well as much-loved touring groups such as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

The church also hosts two major festivals each year: the Summer Music Festival features Broadway classics, brass bands and classical music, and the Easter Music Festival combines a mix of both professional and amateur performances during this fantastic week-long celebration.

Abundant with cafes, art galleries and craft shops, a trip to Port Isaac promises an authentically Cornish experience like no other.