Holiday rentals in Port Isaac

Sheltered by high cliffs, the fishing village of Port Isaac sits on the north coast of Cornwall in the southwest of England, and has provided a harbour for the area for hundreds of years. A popular meeting place in Port Isaac is the Platt, a small open area by the slipway where fishermen store their equipment. This is also where you’ll notice the colourful boat at the lifeboat station, ready to leap into action along the north Cornish coast. As you stand here, you can see the whitewashed cottages winding their way up the steep hillside.

Many of the buildings in Port Isaac are from the 18th and 19th centuries, and walking the streets here can sometimes feel like stepping back in time. It’s easy to understand why television shows and movies use the village as a filming location. When you walk up the narrow alleyways (or “opes,” as they’re called in Cornwall), you can see that Port Isaac’s footprint was designed long before the invention of cars. It even features one of the narrowest alleyways in the country, often referred to as Squeeze Belly Avenue.

If you want to relax on the beaches, the summer is the best time to come, when temperatures are high and sunshine is abundant. This is also when Cornwall and Port Isaac see the highest number of visitors. Surfers may wish to come back in the winter months, particularly in February when the waves are at their strongest. The signposted South West Coast Path that follows the coast of Cornwall can be explored at any time of the year, and especially bracing walks can be experienced during the quieter months when it is generally darker, wetter, windier, and colder. One of the busiest times of the year is in the middle of September, when the village hosts its three-day Shanty Festival, where you can hear the folk songs that sailors and fishermen sing when they are out at sea.

Tintagel Castle

One of the most breathtaking sights on the north coast of Cornwall is Tintagel Castle, which is around a 30-minute drive from Port Isaac. A new 70-metre footbridge, reaching 58 metres above the sea, takes you to the dramatic location of the ruins of this 13th-century castle on Tintagel Island, with its high cliffs and rocks. Its most famous stories are closely linked with the legends of King Arthur.

Polzeath Beach

When the tide goes out at Port Isaac, locals take advantage of the small beach next to the fishing boats. But if you’re looking to stretch out on a wide swathe of golden sand, Polzeath Beach is only six kilometres away with lifeguards in the summer and surfers riding the waves.

Pencarrow House and Gardens

Set among 50 acres of parkland, Pencarrow House and Gardens provide a green oasis about eight miles from Port Isaac. Walking trails take you around the lake and through the woodland, which boasts camellias and rhododendrons. The imposing Pencarrow House itself dates back to the 18th century and is filled with stories of the family who still live here to this day.