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by Steph Boal / Day Out Guides
Spring has most definitely sprung and to celebrate we’ve put together a comprehensive and fun-filled itinerary for Port Isaac, the top-voted short break destination as voted by you, the Great British public!
We aren’t surprised that this charming fishing village in Cornwall came out on top! There are plenty of amazing things to do in Port Isaac and it’s perfectly placed to explore some of Cornwall’s most famous towns and villages.
Whether you’re looking for a guide on how to make the most of your time in Port Isaac or you’re still undecided where to visit this Spring, our guide has you covered.
Read on to learn which other locations made our list of the best spring short breaks and how to spend a fun-filled 48 hours in Port Isaac…
Here at Sykes, our latest Staycation Index shows a growing rise in weekend breaks, with 22% of Brits looking to take shorter, more frequent breaks to make the most of their annual leave. In response, we commissioned research to understand which places and activities are the most popular.
Port Isaac came out on top, with 29% of Brits choosing it as one of the top three locations they’d most like to visit during a spring short break. We aren’t surprised by these results, as our research also found that 18% of Brits most like seeing the seaside during a weekend break in the UK.
Also featuring in the top 5 were Canterbury with 20%, Helmsley with 16%, Haworth with 16% and Harlech with 15% of votes. This aligns with the 23% of Brits who want to find picturesque towns and villages during their UK short break.
Narrowly missing out on the top five were the bustling cities of Portsmouth and Newcastle, perfect for the 26% of Brits who would like to experience a city break in Spring.
With our research into the best places for a spring short break in mind, we’ve decided to compile the ultimate list of the best things to do in Port Isaac into a handy 48-hour guide!
From where to stay, places to eat and incredible things to do, our guide has all you need to plan an unforgettable break in one of the UK’s best seaside spots.
But don’t just take our word for it! We wanted to put our itinerary to the test, to make sure that it was full of the very best Port Isaac and the surrounding area has to offer.
So, we sent Charlotte, the winner of our UK short break tester competition, and her family away to Port Isaac in March to test it out! You can read all about what they got up to, hear their thoughts, and see their beautiful holiday pictures – alongside our handy itinerary made up of the very best things to do in Port Isaac.
Read on to plan your short break to Port Isaac today…
After making the journey, whether by train, bus or car, settle into your accommodation, unwind, unpack and make yourself at home!
Take some time to appreciate your surroundings and get acquainted with your new home away from home for the next couple of days.
Once you’ve had a moment to relax, you’ll likely be ready for a bite to eat. You can choose to cook up a storm in the kitchen or venture out to experience some of Port Isaac’s delicious, local food!
We’d recommend heading to The Golden Lion on Fore Street. This fantastic pub not only serves mouth-watering food, it also boasts mesmerising views across the beach and harbour. Round off your evening by watching the sun set behind the horizon.
Wake up feeling refreshed and excited about all of the amazing things to do in Port Isaac. But first, breakfast, to fuel you for the adventures that lie ahead. You can either prepare something delicious in your new home away from home or head out early to grab a bite to eat.
Port Isaac is dotted with delightful cafés and coffee shops, all full of tempting treats. We’d recommend Fee’s or Noah’s on Fore Street, or The Chapel on Rosecarrock Hill.
Port Isaac is arguably most famous for being the setting of the beloved series Doc Martin. With filming locations peppered across the village, one of the best ways to see them all is to join a guided tour.
Not only will you see iconic locations including Dr Ellingham’s surgery and Louisa’s primary school, but you’ll learn all the secrets to how Port Isaac transformed into Portwenn. The tour runs for up to an hour and a half and begins at Harbour Treats on Church Hill.
This is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Port Isaac and we’d recommend booking here.
Another of the best things to do in Port Isaac is sample delicious local food. No trip to the village would be complete without visiting Nicki B’s Pasty Shop. This award-winning pasty shop serves traditional Cornish Pasties as well as steak, steak and stilton, cheese and onion, and vegetable pasties. You may also be tempted to try one of their fresh, Cornish crab sandwiches.
There’s no better way to see the beauty of Cornwall‘s coast than from the water, and Port Isaac is home to countless activities where you can merge fun and sightseeing on one of the best beaches in Cornwall.
Why not try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding? Either bring your own along and experience the beautiful Cornish waters, or book with Cornish Rock Tors, who operate in Port Isaac. Whether you’re a beginner or a paddleboard pro, there’s something for everyone!
Begin your training in the shallow waters of Port Gaverne, famous for being one of the best sea glass beaches in the UK. Here you can master the basics before enjoying a guided paddle around the cove. Don’t fret if you don’t have all of the kit, as for £45 for 2.5 hours, Cornish Rock Tors include everything you’ll need!
If you’ve worked up an appetite after an afternoon on the water, then you’re in luck with the next element of our 48-hour guide to Port Isaac.
We’d recommend stopping at The Angry Anchovy, one of the best restaurants in Cornwall. Here, you can indulge in delicious pizza with an array of toppings as well as a whole host of delicious sides. While dining in, look forward to reminiscing with your loved ones about the day’s adventures.
However, we suggest grabbing your pizzas to go so you can experience the next unforgettable thing in Port Isaac.
Food in hand, take a short walk along New Road to join the South West Coastal Path, where you can follow the path past the beach, up Roscarrock Hill and past Bert’s Large Chair to a delightful green space overlooking Port Isaac and the sea.
Set up here and dig into your pizzas while you marvel at the sun setting over Port Isaac. Look forward to the hues of purple, pink and orange that adorn the sky; the perfect end to a perfect day in Port Isaac.
Wake up feeling rested, ready for another day of hunting out the best things to do near Port Isaac! After checking out of your accommodation, don’t worry, the fun doesn’t stop here.
Take a 20-minute drive to Rock where you can park in Rock Road Car Park, PL27 6LD before hopping onto the Ferry from Rock to Padstow.
Not only is this a quick way to reach Padstow, but it also offers beautiful views of the River Camel. The ferry only accepts card payments; they charge £3 per adult and £1.50 per child. The ferry runs every 20 minutes throughout the year, although there are no Sunday crossings between mid-November and mid-February. Check out the full Rock to Padstow ferry timetable here.
Once you’ve arrived in the charming town of Padstow enjoy a refreshing walk along the harbour, marvelling at the boats moored before you reach the National Lobster Hatchery.
This friendly and educational conservation centre is undoubtedly one of the best things to do while in Port Isaac. This fantastic attraction aims to support the growth of the lobster population by rearing and then releasing them into the wild.
Spend time exploring the centre where you can get up close with lobster babies, pregnant lobsters, giant lobsters and an array of other exciting coastal wildlife. The most exciting part is that each ticket is valid for 12 months, meaning you can come back at any time! Perfect for those of you who choose to adopt a lobster during your visit.
No trip to Padstow or the surrounding area would be complete without a trip to Rick Stein’s! Offering both sit-in and takeaway options, this award-winning fish and chip restaurant boasts a mouthwatering menu.
Whether you’re craving classic fish and chips or you’d rather sink your teeth into salt and pepper squid or scallops, there’s something delicious waiting for you.
Savour this scrumptious food inside or outside, while the sound of the sea in the harbour acts as the perfect soundtrack to your lunch.
After a fun-filled jaunt in Padstow, head back to the Padstow Ferry terminal where you can catch the ferry back to Rock ready to experience another of the best things to do near Port Isaac.
Once in the car, drive east to Tintagel, home to the final instalment of this guide to the best Port Isaac attractions, Tintagel Castle. There are a handful of pay and display car parks available in the village, including The Castle Car Park, PL34 0DD and King Arthur’s Car Park, PL34 0DA .
Next, walk up to the footbridge to begin exploring Arthurian myth and legend. After roaming the dramatic ruins, head down to Tintagel Haven, the beach below, where you can admire views across the rugged landscape and Merlin’s Cave, where it’s rumoured you can see his face in the rocks.
If this 48 hour itinerary jam packed with the best things to do in Port Isaac has inspired you to book your next getaway, we have you covered.
With over 500 cottages within five miles of Port Isaac, you’re sure to find your perfect holiday amongst this collection.
Port Isaac is an idyllic fishing village on the coast in the North of Cornwall. Situated between Tintagel and Polzeath, it’s well placed to explore all North Cornwall has to offer.
If you’re looking to travel to this idyllic village by car then you’ll need a postcode to plug into your handy Sat-Nav. The postcode covering the village of Port Isaac is PL29.
The compact nature and charming winding streets in this idyllic village make parking a little difficult. However, Port Isaac has two main cars parks to choose from.
Park in Port Isaac’s Main Car Park (Trewetha), PL29 3TR. This car park has nearly 150 spaces and is easy to spot as you approach the village. You can purchase tickets for up to 24 hours in this car park and you can pay via the JustPark App.
If you’re looking to park in the centre of Port Isaac then New Road Car Park, PL29 3SG, is your best bet. There are 99 spaces here for cars and motorcycles and you can buy tickets for up to 24 hours. You can also purchase weekly tickets; perfect for those holidaying in Port Isaac.
Although summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Port Isaac, we’d recommend visiting during spring or autumn as the majority of vendors, attractions and eateries are still open and the village is less busy; giving the best chance to explore.
Visiting during spring and autumn also promises the chance to experience Cornwall while the weather is milder. Check out the weather in Port Isaac for the next 7 days below…
With all this to see and do, it’s no surprise that Port Isaac such a popular destination. If you’re looking to tick off some of these activities then you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of holiday cottages in Port Isaac for you to choose from!
From delightful cottages in the heart of all the action to idyllic boltholes within reach of this fantastic village; you’re sure to find your perfect accommodation in Port Isaac with us!
Check out some of our favourites below…
A delightful two-bedroom holiday cottage just a short walk away from all Port Isaac has to offer. This dog-friendly cottage sleeps four guests in two bedrooms with one bathroom, and is surrounded by the breathtaking coast and countryside.
Perched on the cliff overlooking Port Isaac and the sea, The Old Coastguard Lookout is a dog-friendly cottage perfect for families. This reverse-level property has three beautiful bedrooms and an open-plan living space with some of the best views in Port Isaac.
Gulland is a mesmerising first-floor apartment with beautiful views across the sea. Sleeping three guests in two bedrooms this property is just a short walk away from these fabulous activities in Port Isaac.
Use our handy map, which showcases everything in our guide to the best things to do in Port Isaac. Click the button in the top left to view the activities by day.
If this guide to the best things to do in Post Isaac has inspired you, book your next getaway today with these Port Isaac cottages. You can also plan more adventures in Cornwall with the help of our Cornwall Travel Guide.
by Steph Boal / Day Out Guides
Hi, I'm Steph and I joined the Sykes team in 2022. I grew up in the North East of England so unsurprisingly I love exploring the w...
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