Day Trips from Port Isaac

Situated in the middle of the North Cornwall coast, there’s no shortage of wonderful day trips from Port Isaac!

With great connections to the rest of the county and a short drive away from some of Cornwall’s best landmarks and attractions, you’ll have no trouble packing your itinerary full of exciting ideas and adventures during your next stay in Port Isaac.

Keep scrolling to uncover all the best places to go on day trips from Port Isaac…

1. Visit the Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor

Found on the beautiful Bodmin Moor in the heart of Cornwall, the historic Jamaica Inn is arguably one of the most well-known pubs anywhere in the country and makes for a wonderful place to visit when it comes to day trips from Port Isaac!

Built in 1750, it served as a coaching inn for most of this period and was best-known for harbouring goods and contraband that were smuggled at sea by pirates and sailors.

Today, the pub still remains, making it a great place to stop off for a local pint. However, there’s also a fantastic restaurant here that draws in punters from near and far, as well as a fantastic museum dedicated to the building’s rich history and the history of smuggling in Cornwall.

So, whether you’re simply looking to go for a mouthwatering meal or hoping to learn all about its past, a trip to the Jamaica Inn is a must-do when staying in Port Isaac!

Distance: 40-minute drive
Opening Times: 7:30am – 9pm (Everyday)
Admission: £3.95 (Adults) | £2.95 (Children/OAPs)
Postcode: PL15 7TS
Website: https://www.jamaicainn.co.uk/

2. Spend the day at Polzeath Beach

Found just down the coast from Port Isaac and only a 15-minute drive away, Polzeath Beach is often regarded as one of the best in the county because of its golden sands and popularity with surfers.

A brilliant location to include when planning your day trips from Port Isaac, especially during the summer, you can quite easily spend the whole day soaking up the sunshine, swimming in the sea or even having a go at surfing!

What’s best is that this bustling beach is situated right next to the town of Polzeath, where you’ll find a host of great places to stop off for a drink and a bite to eat. Some of the best places can be found right next to the beach, including the Cracking Crab for seafood, The Waterfront grill and the Surfside Polzeath bar.

Distance: 15-minute drive
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 10am – 6pm (15th May to 30th September)
Postcode: PL27 6UE
Website: https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/beaches/polzeath-beach

3. Explore the historic Tintagel Castle

Famously associated with the legend of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle is arguably one of the most visited tourist attractions in the North Cornwall and a fantastic place to visit for the day whilst staying in Port Isaac. Found just a 30-minute drive away, this impressive ruin stands on a rocky headland and is open to visitors every day of the year.

When you arrive here, head over to the award-winning cliff bridge that’ll take you straight into the heart of the castle’s ruins. At the top of the headland, you’ll also find the famous Gallos statue that overlooks the sea, as well as the legendary Merlin’s Cave down in the cove next to the rocks.

Owned and protected by English Heritage, the attraction has plenty of space to park, as well as an on-site café and a souvenir shop where you can buy mementoes to remember your trip from, making it a wonderful place to go during one of your day trips from Port Isaac.

Distance: 30-minute drive
Opening Times: 10am – 6pm (Everyday)
Admission: £16.30 (Adults) | £10.00 (Children)
Postcode: PL34 0HE
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/

4. Visit Camel Creek Adventure Park

One of the biggest and best family attractions in the county and winner of a Cornish Tourism Award, Camel Creek Adventure Park makes for a wonderful place to go for the day, especially for the kids!

Here, you’ll find something fun to do for all ages. This includes a massive indoor play area, a handful of thrilling roller coasters and over a hundred animals from furry mammals to exotic reptiles.

Whilst opening days and times vary depending on the time of year, this brilliant attraction is best to visit during the spring and summer, when it’s open pretty much every day of the week.

Distance: 30-minute drive
Opening Times: 10:30am – 5pm (Depending on season)
Admission: £18.00
Postcode: PL27 7RA
Website: https://www.camelcreek.co.uk/opening-times/

5. Experience the Royal Cornwall Show

Often believed to be the biggest annual event hosted in the county, the Royal Cornwall Show makes for a fantastic place to go for a day trip from Port Isaac. Situated just a 20-minute drive away, this exciting event showcases all the charms of rural life and has plenty of stuff to see and do for visitors of all ages.

Hosted over three days in the middle of summer, the event features everything from live entertainment to horse jumping. Not only that, but it’s also a hotspot for local and independent traders, perfect if you’re hoping to do plenty of shopping!

Distance: 20-minute drive
Dates: 5th – 7th June 2025 (8:30am – 6:30pm)
Admission: TBC
Postcode: PL27 7JE
Website: https://www.royalcornwallshow.org/

6. Visit Pencarrow House & Gardens

Nestled in the heart of the Cornish countryside, the Grade II-listed Pencarrow House and Gardens is a wonderful place to include in your day trips from Port Isaac. With a rich history spanning over 500 years, visiting this impressive country house will ensure you have a day to remember.

Situated less than half an hour’s drive from the village, this popular attraction is great for visitors of all ages, and even allows you to bring your dogs to the gardens! Featuring well-maintained gardens that are home to plant species from all across the globe, the house itself also boasts an impressive collection of artwork sourced by the resident Molesworth family.

Distance: 25-minute drive
Opening Times: 10am – 5pm
Admission: £15.50 (Adults) | £5.00 (Children)
Postcode: PL30 3AG
Website: https://www.pencarrow.co.uk/

7. Tour the Bodmin Jail Attraction

Built in 1779 and once one of the most fearsome jails in Cornwall, Bodmin Jail is now a highly-regarded hotel and tourist attraction, and a place that’s well worth visiting on a day trip from Port Isaac!

Here, you can embark either on a historic heritage tour of the building or if you’re feeling brave enough, a spooky paranormal tour that explores the ghostly legends associated with the jail.

Whichever tour you decide to go on, we’d highly recommend stopping off at the on-site Moor Café, where you can enjoy a host of tasty treats including scones, sandwiches, cakes, coffee and more.

Distance: 25-minute drive
Opening Times: 9:30am – 6pm
Admission: £19.50
Postcode: PL31 2NR
Website: https://www.bodminjail.org/

8. Visit the National Lobster Hatchery

Found on Padstow’s historic South Quay, the National Lobster Hatchery is a marine conservation charity and tourist attraction that’s arguably one of the most visited in the town. Winner of a “Best Family Attraction” award, it makes for a fantastic place to visit on a day trip from Port Isaac.

Here, you’ll see everything from rarely-seen baby lobsters to unique and interesting sea creatures, as well as plenty of information on how their conservation work helps to protect the lobster population, both around the Cornish coast and further afield.

Afterwards, as you’ll be right in the heart of the town, we’d recommend going for a wander down the quayside to enjoy one of the town’s many fantastic pubs and restaurants, some of the best being Stein’s Fish & Chips and the Old Custom House.

Distance: 35-minute drive
Opening Times: 10am – 4pm
Admission: £8 (Adults) | £5 (Children)
Postcode: PL28 8BL
Website: https://nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/

9. Take a trip to Newquay Zoo

Founded in 1969, Newquay Zoo remains to be one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions, winning awards like “Visitor Attraction of the Year” on multiple occasions. Covering around 16 acres, this fantastic zoo is a must-visit when it comes to planning your day trips from Port Isaac. Found just under an hour’s drive away, this exciting attraction makes for a wonderful place to spend the entire day.

Home to over 130 different species of animals including lemurs, Humboldt penguins, red pandas and more, the zoo also offers feeding experiences for those of you hoping to get up close and personal with some of their furry residents. Not only that but here you’ll also find plenty of play areas for the kids to enjoy, as well as an exciting ‘Tarzan Trail’, a fantastic walking route around the park.

Distance: 50-minute drive
Opening Times: 10am – 5pm
Admission: £19 (Adults) | £14.25 (Children)
Postcode: TR7 2NL
Website: https://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/

10. Hop on the Lappa Valley Steam Railway

Nestled within a former mining region of the county and surrounded by lush forests, Lappa Valley is a well-renowned, family-friendly attraction that’s been a favourite for locals and visitors to the county for over 50 years. Not only will you find the fantastic steam railway which runs at various times throughout the day, but you’ll also find a host of other family-friendly activities to suit visitors of all ages.

With an adventure golf course, trampolines, a giant tube slide and even an exercise park for dogs to enjoy during your visit, there’s also a great cafe and indoor play area called ‘The Engine Shed’ where you can stop off for a drink and a bite to eat when you’re all finished up for the day. So, if you’re looking to visit somewhere unique to visit for the day with the whole family, then Lappa Valley is a must-visit!

Distance: 50-minute drive
Opening Times: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: £17 (Adults) | £15 (Children)
Postcode: TR8 5LX
Website: https://www.lappavalley.co.uk/

Feeling inspired? If you’re thinking about staying near these wonderful attractions for your next break, be sure to take a look at this vast collection of cottages in Port Isaac!

When staying here, why not check out one of these attractions in Port Isaac before stopping off at one of these popular Port Isaac restaurants and cafés?