Step into Portwenn: Exploring Doc Martin's Charming Port Isaac

For fans of the beloved British comedy-drama "Doc Martin," the picturesque fishing village of Port Isaac in Cornwall, England, is more than just a stunning location - it's Doc Martin's village, known as Portwenn in the hit television series. Nan and I visited Port Isaac in late January, with our dear friend Annalisa, who lives in Cornwall. We parked in a lot above the village and from there, we could see the ocean and the spectacular cliffs of Cornwall in the distance. 

We walked for about 15 minutes or so and then the road narrowed. We entered the steep and winding lanes of the village, and suddenly, we saw the whitewashed cottages clinging to the steep hillsides and the glistening harbor below. It felt like we were walking directly onto the set of the show.  

Even though the final episode aired in 2022, the magic of "Doc Martin" lingers in the salty air and the friendly faces of the locals. We wandered through the village, and recognized all the iconic spots like Fern Cottage, aka Dr. Ellingham's surgery, perched just above the harbor, Louisa's schoolhouse, and the Golden Lion pub, a familiar spot to many fans. 

Port Isaac is a gem in its own right, long before "Doc Martin" appeared on TV screens. The show was a smashing success in Britain, and soon after in the States. It is still a traditional fishing village with a rich maritime history. Most of the stores were closed in late January during our visit, and many touchups and renovations were underway.  

We arrived in Portwenn during low tide and couldn't resist walking down to the exposed shore. Just like in the series, we saw several cars parked at the bottom of the boat ramp near the water. There, people were intently searching for the perfect seashell while their dogs frolicked about chasing one another.

We all laughed, as we remembered the scene in one hectic episode, where the unsuspecting tourist parks his car, very close to where we were standing. In the episode, while the tourist is in town attending business, the tide comes in and when he returns, much to his dismay, his car is floating in the harbor. Conveniently located across the street from the boat ramp is the lifeguard station. I’m sure you can remember an episode or two involving a rescue or an occasional floating vehicle, where the lifeguards, and Joe the goofy policeman came to the rescue.

We the started the climb up the lane towards Doc Martin’s house and surgery. After a short walk we came to Halwyn House, Bert Large’s restaurant on Roscarrock Hill. There were many scenes filmed at Bert’s restaurant, where his son Al waited tables, on the narrow outdoor patio overlooking the harbor. We were told that all the indoor kitchen scenes were filmed a short drive away at Roscarrock Farm. In the village, we walked by an alleyway and a sign advertising lobsters for sale. We recognized it as the place where Bert bought the lobsters for his special dinner, and everyone got food poisoning. It took Bert and his customers quite a while to recover.

Another much loved character in the series was Mrs. Tischell, who owned the pharmacy in Portwenn. She had a long-time crush on Doc Martin and initiated many funny schemes to capture his attention. Today, the pharmacy is a popular ice cream shop.

Perched at the top of the hill, sat Doc Martin’s house and surgery. It was easily recognizable and what a spectacular view of the harbor and beyond. Do you remember Morweena, who worked for the Doc at the surgery for several seasons? We stood and admired the view, and we could see Louisa’s schoolhouse standing tall on the hill directly across the harbor.

The popularity of "Doc Martin" has undeniably boosted tourism in Port Isaac. Fans from all over the world flock to experience the real Portwenn, supporting local businesses and creating a vibrant atmosphere. We noticed many cottages in the village that were beautifully remodeled, like the Fisherman's Cottage, with a rental advertisement posted out front. Even Fern Cottage, Doc Martin’s surgery and 2 bed, 1 bath house is now a rental on VRBO. One week’s rental in June 2025 will set you back a whopping 3,716 pounds or $4755.90. After settling your bill, you may need a treatment in Doc's surgery! 

After exploring Portween we had worked up an appetite and decided to look for a spot to eat. We walked back down the hill and found a lovely pub and restaurant. We warmed up with several cups of tea and enjoyed a lovely meal of Port Isaac's authentic British fish and chips.

After lunch, we still had one more climb, up to Louisa's schoolhouse which is actually a hotel and restaurant. The outside of the building was used in the series and all indoor scenes were filmed at Roscarrock Manor Farm.

It was an exciting day meandering the streets of Port Isaac and stepping into the fictional world of a much-loved television show. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply seeking a beautiful Cornish escape, Port Isaac is a destination that will capture your heart.  If you visit Port Isaac in the summer, the South West Coast Path is a winding trailway through and around Port Isaac, offering breathtaking views of the rugged Cornish coastline. 

And, if you’re lucky, while visiting Port Isaac, you may catch a concert by the famous “Fisherman’s Friends.” They are a long-time group of friends who often gathered at the Golden Lion after a long day of fishing. They hit it big, singing folk music and local Cornish sea shanties and received a record deal in 2009. The group went on to receive widespread success, including a movie in 2019, followed by a sequel in 2022. 

So, on your next trip to the UK, be sure to visit Cornwall and the lovely coastal village of Port Isaac, known around the world, as Doc Martin’s Portwenn! Whether it’s retracing the Doc’s footsteps, shopping, fishing, hiking, or hanging out at the pub…you’ll have a splendid and memorable day, just like we did!