15 Best Things to Do in North Cornwall
Discover stunning natural moorland, dramatic coastlines, soft sandy beaches, and turquoise seas with these best things to do in...
by Rob Hayes / Things To Do
Made famous by the popular TV series Doc Martin, it’s one of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets and makes for a brilliant place to explore whilst holidaying here.
If you’re hoping to experience the best of this coastal hotspot on your next break, keep scrolling to find all the best must-see attractions in Port Isaac!
Known as the beating heart of this coastal town, Port Isaac Beach is easily one of the most recognisable must-see attractions in Port Isaac and a must-do for any visitor staying here! Tucked between the rocky coastal cliffs, this tidal beach makes for a great place to spend your time soaking up the sunshine and is strewn with coves and interesting rock formations on either side.
With a car park conveniently located at the entrance to the beach, you can walk straight onto the sand from here to enjoy your afternoon in the sun. Then, when you’re feeling a bit thirsty and peckish, why not stop off at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, next to the beach, to enjoy some delicious, locally-caught seafood? For a post-meal drink, hop across the road to The Golden Lion, a fantastic local pub that offers unforgettable views of the beach.
Postcode: PL29 3RQ
Situated just a 10-minute drive west along the coast and one of the top must-see attractions in Port Isaac is Port Quin, a quaint coastal village tucked between two rocky headlands. Once a thriving fishing port in the early 1800s, the village today is a quaint and peaceful place that’s great for keen walkers.
After parking up at the National Trust car park in the heart of the village, you can make your way up the road to join the South West Coastal Path, taking walkers around the headland towards Doyden Castle, a Victorian folly that can be rented as a holiday home from the Trust. With impeccable views of the sea from the top of the headland, it makes for an unforgettable place to catch a sunset!
Postcode: PL29 3SU
Nestled on the eastern side of the village in between the headland and Castle Rock, Port Gaverne Beach is easily one of the best Port Isaac attractions, being one of only two beaches in the area.
Flanked by dramatic cliffs and strewn with coves and outcrops, this beach is best to visit during low tide, as much of it disappears beneath the waves at high tide.
Not only does it make for a great spot to enjoy the Cornish sunshine, but there’s also a brilliant restaurant and bar housed in the hotel that overlooks the beach, making it a great place to stop off for a bite to eat whilst enjoying the views.
Postcode: PL29 3SG
Admission: N/A
Once written about by famous poet John Betjeman, the Church of St Endellion can be found tucked away in the Cornish countryside around a 10-minute drive from Port Isaac.
However, if you’re hoping to make the most out of this stunning region, embarking on the 40-minute walk from the village to the church makes for a wonderful day out. Built during the 15th century, it still stands as a place of spirituality for locals and hosts regular music events each summer, making it one of the best attractions in Port Isaac.
Postcode: PL29 3TP
Admission: N/A
Found in the small village of Boscastle, just a 30-minute drive up the coast from Port Isaac, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is home to the world’s largest collection of occult-related memorabilia.
Packed full of weird and wonderful artefacts, each with its unique significance, this museum is run completely independently and has done so since it opened. Spread over two floors and housed inside a quirky historical building, it makes for a brilliant place to consider visiting if you’re interested in the odd side of history!
Postcode: PL35 0HD
Admission: £7.00
Website: https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/
Tintagel Castle is one of our favourite day trips from Port Isaac.
As one of the most important sites in Arthurian Legend, Tintagel Castle is often considered the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur. Nestled on a rocky outcrop known as Tintagel Island, you can reach the castle from the town by navigating a series of steep walkways leading you right to the heart of the structure.
With a host of interesting ruins to explore here that date back to the early Middle Ages, you’ll also find the legendary Great Hall and the famous Gallos Statue right on the edge of the set, which makes for a brilliant photo opportunity to remember your visit from!
Postcode: PL34 0HE
Admission: £18.10 (without donation)
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/
Found on the beach beneath Tintagel Castle, Merlin’s Cave is a vast underground chasm formed out of the rocky coastal cliffs that the castle stands on, found by taking just a 20-minute drive north from Port Isaac.
Thought to be the home of the legendary wizard, it passes right underneath Tintagel Island, stretching around a hundred metres in length. To get here, you can take the steep steps down from the castle’s great hall until you reach the beach and the entrance to the cave. However, it’s worth noting that Merlin’s Cave is virtually inaccessible once the tide rolls in, so make sure you plan your visit at the right time if you plan on exploring this natural wonder.
Postcode: PL34 0DS
Admission: £18.10 (without donation)
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/
A beautiful Grade II-listed country house nestled in the heart of the beautiful Cornish countryside, Pencarrow House can be found by taking a 20-minute drive inland from Port Isaac. Built in the mid-1700s for the wealthy Molesworth family, the house remains in their possession and has been renovated in recent decades to make it a popular tourist attraction.
Inside, you’ll find ornately decorated rooms packed full of historic relics and family heirlooms, as well as luxurious features throughout each of its impressive rooms and halls. Some of their best artefacts are the family’s vast art collection, with many of their best works dotted around the building. With an impressive network of gardens to explore around the building too, it makes for a wonderful day out whilst staying in Port Isaac.
Postcode: PL30 3AG
Admission: £15.50 (Adults) – £5 (5-16yrs); Gardens Only: £8.75 (Adults) – Free for under 16s
Website: https://www.pencarrow.co.uk/opening-times-prices/
Often regarded as one of the best beaches in North Cornwall, Polzeath Beach can be found by taking a 15-minute drive from Port Isaac to the town of Polzeath, which gives the beach its name.
Often less visited by tourists than the neighbouring beach in Padstow, it’s a hotspot for surfers and water sports enthusiasts, it’s home to two excellent surf schools where you can take lessons or rent our equipment for the day.
After spending the afternoon soaking up the Cornish sunshine, why not head back up to the beachfront to enjoy one of the many fantastic bars and restaurants that call this place home?
With the excellent Surfside Polzeath Bar sitting right on the beachfront and amazing restaurants like The Waterfront and the Cracking Crab being situated a little further into the town, you can quite easily spend a full day here whilst staying in Port Isaac.
🛈 Read more about this wonderful beach in our Polzeath Beach Guide »
Postcode: PL27 6UE
Admission: Free
Nestled within a dense woodland area just outside Tintagel, St Nectan’s Glen is one of the most scenic spots on the North Cornwall coast and can be explored just a 30-minute drive from Port Isaac.
Regarded as one of the most spiritual sites in the United Kingdom, it draws in many visitors throughout the year to witness its beauty and significance. With an impressive waterfall here known as St Nectan’s Kieve, it stands over 60 feet tall and is an unforgettable place to stop off whilst exploring this wonderful region.
Postcode: PL34 0BE
Admission: £9.00 (Adults) – £5.00 (5-15yrs)
Website: https://www.st-nectansglen.co.uk/
Found in the heart of the North Cornwall countryside, Bodmin Moor is a gigantic area of moorland that stretches over 80 square miles. Found by taking just a 40-minute drive inland from Port Isaac, here you’ll find miles of endless countryside to roam across, home to a host of unique and interesting wildlife and ancient rock formations.
In the heart of the moor stands the Jamaica Inn, a famous waypoint that’s long been associated with the Cornish smugglers, active along the county’s coastline during the Age of Piracy. Here, you’ll also find the Museum of Smuggling, dedicated to the pub’s rich history, which is well worth checking out whilst visiting. Not far from here in the heart of the moorland, you’ll also find the remains of King Arthur’s Great Hall, another brilliant place to stop off if you have the time!
Postcode: PL15 7TY
Admission (Smuggling Museum): £3.95 (Adults) – £2.95 (Children/OAP)
Website: https://www.jamaicainn.co.uk/
Arguably the most famous house in the village and one of the most popular must-see attractions in Port Isaac is The Doc’s House, the home of fictional character Doc Martin from the hit BBC TV series, played by Martin Clunes.
Situated on the end of Roscarrock Hill overlooking the harbour, the house has now been bought and transformed into an independent holiday cottage! However, you can still make your way up the hill to take a picture in front of it, all whilst taking in the beautiful views of the village.
After making your way up the hill to see this iconic Port Isaac attraction, why not head back down towards the beach and stop off at one of the fantastic local restaurants situated nearby? With The Chapel Café and Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen being only a stone’s throw away, both make for great places to stop off for a bite to eat whilst staying in the village.
Sold on the idea of staying in Port Isaac for your next staycation? If so, then the next step is to take a look at this collection of all available Port Isaac holiday cottages!
by Rob Hayes / Things To Do
I'm Rob and I joined the Sykes team in February 2024. I am a passionate writer and have always enjoyed holidays in the UK, especia...
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