Destination Port Isaac

Explore this glorious and typically Cornish fishing village from your John Bray Cornish Holidays cottage.

This picturesque fishing village exudes charm from every corner, remaining unchanged from its days of fishing, slate export and smuggling.

For more than 50 years now, John Bray Cornish Holidays has been providing self-catering holidays in Porth Isaac and the surrounding areas in north Cornwall, with more than 70 charming holiday homes in Port Isaac alone! Indeed, there isn’t much the team doesn’t know about maximising your stay on this rugged stretch of Cornish coastline.

“The port remains a hub for local fishermen and you can watch the daily catch arrive before purchasing a lobster for your evening meal…”

Port Isaac is known and loved for its 18th and 19th Century whitewashed cottages, many of which are listed for architectural or historic importance and found in the rabbit-warren-like streets, and narrow, steep windy alleys that funnel down towards the quayside.

The village has seen a number of popular film and TV crews hauling equipment and filming in the village and on the coastal paths above the village, and in the current drama, Doc Martin, the village is known as Port Wenn.

The port remains a hub for local fishermen and you can watch the daily catch arrive before purchasing a lobster for your evening meal, right there on the quay! What’s more, there are plenty of local shops, boutiques and galleries to explore, with pubs and restaurants each offering something different, whether you’re looking for a relaxed bite after a long day’s walking, or a formal meal in double Michelin star chef Nathan Outlaw’s Restaurant Nathan Outlaw or Fish Kitchen.

A short walk to the neighbouring ports Port Gaverne or Port Quinn is well worth your while, especially on sunny afternoons. Port Quinn is popular for coasteering, canoeing and kayaking,
while Port Gaverne at low tide offers a small, sheltered sandy beach with plenty of walks, rockpools and caves for exploring. It’s also a fantastic diving beach at high tide!

John Bray Cornish Holidays has a wealth of stylish accommodation for you to make the most of this fantastic part of north Cornwall, whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat for two, or hoping to bring the whole extended family down for a milestone celebration. If you need any assistance with choosing your ideal cottage, or with organising your holiday agenda, the team can ensure that you get the most out of your north Cornish retreat.