RSS Feed

Related Articles

Related Categories

Discover Doc Martin's idyllic Cornish coast

16th September 2015 Print
Cornwall

Stunning coastline, idyllic fishing villages and fresh, local food.  You can be forgiven for craving a visit to Cornwall as curmudgeonly GP Doc Martin returns to our screens.

Follow in the footsteps of Martin Clunes – and special guests Sigourney Weaver and Caroline Quentin who promise to make an appearance in the seventh series – with a trip to the North Cornish fishing village of Port Isaac, aka Portwenn, the stunning setting for the TV sitcom.

Bathed in golden, lingering sunlight and offering a plethora of autumnal colour, not to mention fewer crowds, this time of year can be perfect for a picturesque break.

To do:  For a Doc Martin-inspired tour of Port Isaac you'll be in good hands with tour guide John Brown.  As well as having a long and deep rooted family history in Port Isaac he has starred as an extra in Doc Martin (as well as for Poldark) and is a member of the internationally renowned sea shanty singing group, The Fisherman's Friends.  Join John for an hour long insider's walking tour which costs £10 and you'll see many of the buildings that lead a double life as residents of Portwenn and hear interesting titbits about the filming of the series. The tour starts and ends at John's shop and café, May Contain Nuts, where you'll find a bounty of Doc Martin memorabilia. http://www.portisaactours.com.

The tiny hamlets of Port Gaverne and Port Quin are just along the coast from Port Isaac and see their fair share of camera action.  Managed by the National Trust they were vibrant village ports in the 19th Century but now live a peaceful existence and are well loved for their classic Cornish scenery, walking and wildlife. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/polzeath-to-port-quin/things-to-see-and-do/view-page/item1033133/

Follow Martin Clune's lead by stepping out on the South West Coast Path and take on the rollercoaster walk to Port Quin.  A favourite of the much-loved actor when he took a break from filming, this walk is just over four miles long and enjoys breath-taking views along the rocky coastline, which make the challenge of the steep ups and downs more than worth it. 

southwestcoastpath.com/walksdb/678/

Eat:  You are spoilt for choice when it comes to great places to eat in Port Isaac.  For to-die-for seafood tasting menus which cost from £99pp, the two Michelin star Restaurant Nathan Outlaw is seriously special. It's open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday, 7pm – 9pm and for lunch Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 2pm.  Alternatively try the relaxed Outlaw's Fish Kitchen which also boasts it very own, and well-deserved, shiny Michelin star.  Renowned for its small and original seafood plates this is where you can try a little bit of everything without it being heavy on the purse, with dishes costing from £8.50.  From October until May, it's open from Tuesday until Saturday.

Or take a seat at Fresh From The Sea run by husband and wife team, Calum and Tracey Greenhaigh.  The duo are quiet heroes of the local food scene with Calum catching crab and lobster aboard his boat 'Mary D' before hauling it through the village to the café and fish shop where Tracey awaits ready to hand pick and cook the seafood to perfection.  Rest assured the quality is a lot higher than at Bert Large's onscreen restaurant!

Sleep: Get cosy in the comfort of Dr Ellingham's surgery as the evenings draw in.  Fern Cottage is where Doc Martin dishes out his brusque bedside manner.  When cameras aren't rolling, it is available for fans to hire as a beautiful two-bedroom holiday cottage.  Open the curtains in this double-fronted property and you'll be treated to far-reaching views across Port Isaac – it's more than a little idyllic.  

For more information and to make an enquiry about prices visit docmartinhouse.co.uk.

Try The Slipway Hotel and Restaurant with its familiar views. It's where many of the long shots through the village are taken for the show.  From £110 per night, swap places with the camera and enjoy this 10 bedroom hotel which, in true Port Isaac fashion, also has a gallery style seafood restaurant complete with oak beams and the freshest of locally caught seafood. 

portisaachotel.com

Between September and December The Slipway Hotel and Restaurant is offering three nights of bed and breakfast for the price of two, excluding Friday and Saturday.  Two night's dinner, bed and breakfast is available from £199 from Sunday to Thursday in January and February.

For more information, visit visitcornwall.com.

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

Cornwall