Anyone who’s followed my blog or read my books will know I’m besotted with film locations.
I’ve been waiting for a chance to visit Cornwall ever since the seventies, when I watched the Poldark series, with its ragged cliffs, waves crashing into coves where smugglers plied their trade, windswept moors, tin and copper mines and, let’s face it, its leading man. This was my chance.
Apart from the Poldark locations I was hoping to find, my main aim was to stay in my most-loved film set of all – Port Isaac, used as Portwenn of the Doc Martin series. Port Isaac is on the north-west coast, in what Australians would call, ‘the back of beyond’. It took me two trains and two buses to get there from Salisbury but it was worth it.
I ploughed down an almost perpendicular hill from the bus stop to my accommodation at The Old School Hotel, used as the actual school in the show.
Walking out of my little room, attached to the side of the hotel, I looked directly across the harbour to the Doc’s surgery. I was in heaven. Childish, you ask? And I continued to be childish for the three days I was there.
The walk down to the harbour from my room was steep; even steeper coming up. There’s hardly a flat surface in Cornwall, it seems. I felt very fit by the time I left.
The village is unbelievably pretty.
Other than the change in a few signs, the village is pretty much as it is in the show.
The property is a private home but people were still rude enough to invade the front patio. One man even stood with his hand on the door knob for a photo.
I nearly killed myself climbing the cliffs that overlook the town but that’s a story for next time.
Planning to the Nth 
Wonderful! I just love Doc Martin and I’m sad that there will be only one more series. I’ve not visited Port Isaac but I recognised your photos from the series. Would love to go there sometime.
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Thanks so much. I didn’t realise this would be the last series. I suppose they have to do that otherwise they’ll all be getting around in wheelchairs. I remember watching it with my grandson when he was five; he’s now 14.
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As usual stunning/ How lucky that you have the memories to keep now that the series is finished
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Lucky timing, Penny. I just loved that place. I could have spent a week just wandering around.
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What a charming place and straight out of a movie set, how wonderful.
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I’m not a fan of the characters in the series but do admit to watching it “for the scenery” ha ha! Your photos are wonderful, and it’s nice to see that the buildings are real working buildings 🙂
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Thanks so much, Suzanne. It’s pretty easy to take good photos around there, especially when the sun comes out for you. So pleased I went there.
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What a great experience to visit the Doc’s home! I would love to do that.
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Like being in a movie, Darlene. Cheers, Coral.
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Yes such a beautiful place, didn’t realize the series was filmed here..
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A wonderful tour and photos, thank you! I may have visited when I was a boy – but ABAB certainly hasn’t!
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Thanks so much. I love checking out movie sets and this was the real thing. I was in heaven. Cheers.
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