On the 23rd of October 2017 The family and I decided to visit Port Issac, the fictional name of "Portwenn" where the TV Series Doc Martin is filmed.
The car park near the village was full so I needed to park further away and walk down.
Since the 1980s the village has served as backdrop to various television productions, including the ITV series Doc Martin, and is home to the group Fisherman's Friends, sea-shanty singers.
Port Isaac's pier was constructed during the reign of Henry VIII.
"...Tudor pier and breakwater have now yielded to a strong new sea-wall
balanced by an arm on the opposite side of the cove, and we do not
doubt that the fishermen sleep more soundly in their beds on stormy
nights." (Arthur Mee: Cornwall; The King's England;
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1937, p. 184.) The village centre dates
from the 18th and 19th centuries, from a time when its prosperity was
tied to local coastal freight and fishing. The port handled cargoes of
coal, wood, stone, ores, limestone, salt, pottery and heavy goods which
were conveyed along its narrow streets. Small coastal sailing vessels
were built below Roscarrock Hill.The pilchard fishery began here before the 16th century and in 1850 there were 49 registered fishing boats and four fish cellars.
Fishermen still work from the Platt, landing their catches of fish,
crab and lobsters. The historic core of the village was designated a Conservation Area
in 1971 and North Cornwall District Council reviewed this in 2008 with
the endorsement of detailed Port Isaac Conservation Area Appraisal
document and a related Conservation Area Management Plan. The village
has around 90 Listed buildings (all Grade II).
Locations in and around the village have been used for a number of films and television series, including:
- Poldark (1975–77), a BBC television series, used locations in the area.
- Tarry-Dan Tarry-Dan Scarey Old Spooky Man (1978), BBC supernatural play.
- The Nightmare Man (1981), BBC drama serial, filmed in and around the village – which doubled for a Scottish island.
- Oscar and Lucinda (1997), film.
- Saving Grace (2000), a comedy film, was filmed in and around the village.
- DIY SOS (2001), featured the village hall being decorated.
- Doc Martin (2004–present), ITV series, seven series filmed in the port (using the fictional name of "Portwenn"; also used in the Sky Pictures movies Doc Martin and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie under its true name, "Port Isaac").
- The Shell Seekers (2005), a television production with Vanessa Redgrave, where the village was used as the backdrop and many scenes were shot in the main street.
 |
| Fern Cottage (Doc Martins Surgery) |
Alongside
the village of Port Isaac itself,Fern Cottage is one of the most
recognisable Doc Martin locations and draws fans from all over the world
keen to get a shot of Doctor Ellingham’s surgery. It is easily found in
Port Isaac by walking 100 metres past the harbour and up the hill
towards the coast path for Port Quin, and as well as the kudos of
welcoming the blood phobic doctor, Fern Cottage enjoys impressive views
over the village and natural harbour. When cameras aren’t rolling,
die-hard fans of the series can rent the cottage as a perfect holiday
idyll.
 |
| Fern Cottage |
Whilst many of the interior scenes are shot at Roscarrock Manor Farm
which is just outside Port Isaac and home to a number of sets, most
notably the doctors surgery, there are still a number of star studded
spots to visit (or view from afar) in Port Isaac. Stop by the Liberal
Club which is the village shop in the series and stand in Martin Clunes’
shoes by enjoying a pint in the Golden Lion Pub which has been used
sociably by the cast and crew as well as for filming. There are also a
handful of private residences that double as locations such as Mrs
Tishell’s chemist shop which is a house called Little Dolphins in Middle
Street, Louisa’s home on Fore Street and Bert’s Restaurant which is a
stone’s throw from the doctors surgery.
 |
| Dolphin Street and just up the hill No. 26 (Aunt Ruth's House) a double fronted house faces out. |
 |
Bert Large's Restaurant with the Doc's House above right
|
 |
| The Harbour slipway called The Platt |
 |
| Add caption |
Portwenn School where Louise is headmistress lives everyday life as The Old School House Hotel.
Call in for a bite to eat and a chance to sample Port Isaac’s legendary
seafood. The interior school scenes are filmed at nearby Delable
School.
