Port Isaac - discover the perfect fishing village


And above the seagulls bleat with glee!


The secret is out, this once little known historic fishing village has now entered the living rooms of homes from Scotland to Australia in the idyllic creation of the perfect fishing village that is Port Wenn inhabited by the Grumpy Doc Martin and his somewhat mundane tales!


However is that all that this village has to offer, the answer is not by a long shot. Port Isaac is a real living working village with families, business, history and tales of its own which leave Doc Martin in the shade.


Before the village became the tourist stop, TV and film location it is today it catered very much for the community with many shops including two butchers a bakers, a green grocery a cobblers and even a cinema.


There were many more boats in the harbour and fisherman to take them out. The primary school was well attended and in the heart of the community now the location of the Old School Hotel built precariously on the cliff edge it was designed by Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail who won a prize for it in a Chicago exhibition. It remained the village school until 1976.


The Golden Lion also well attended was the locals bar built in 1715 at that time one of the largest buildings in the village and was possibly erected on an old quay. It was used by the men of the village for drinking, singing and unwinding.


The small passageway next to the pub know as the ‘Ope’ which leads to the ‘Bloody Bones Yard’ (a body was once found in a wheelbarrow here but the murderer was


never detected). It is said pirates used to use the tunnel for smuggling from. A salvaged WW2 navel gun now stands guard here.


Another interesting passage is Temple Bar nick named Squeeze-ee-belly Alley as its only 18 inches across at its narrowest point and was in the Book of Records as the world’s narrowest thoroughfare.


Market squares in Cornish towns are often called the ‘Platt’ and it is here that much of the village gathered for social occasions. John Wesley on his final visit to the village in 1789 preached here to almost all the inhabitants.


Although the village is now known as a crab and lobster fishing village it was the humble pilchard that brought the Port true prosperity.


Boat building also thrived in the village during the 1800 with at least two boat yards in the village.


In the 1900s, as the fish shoals declined, Port Isaac’s fortune and way of life began to change.


Its isolation became the attraction to an ‘upwardly mobile society’ and so it evolved into a holiday village. Today 70% of the old centre has been bought up as second homes.


Despite this change Port Isaac is still a working harbour and fishermen ply their trade, harvesting the seas in all weathers, as their predecessors before them.


The village trail can be obtained from Tintagel Visitors Centre as well as other local walks and information.


Dramatic coastal walks


and breathtaking scenery St. Agnes is a picturesque village on the north coast of Cornwall.


Steeped in mining history, the village still retains a traditional friendly Cornish atmosphere and makes a wonderful base for your holiday, with four varied beaches and a central location for touring the rest of Cornwall.


You are greeted with dramatic coastal walks and breathtaking scenery filled with relics from the past as well as friendly hotels serving good food in a warm atmosphere.


St Agnes is a thriving community with a variety of shops.


There are several pubs, cafes and restaurants, serving food and drink to cater for all tastes and pockets.


St Agnes offers a variety of year-round activities for all the family.


Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes.


Sample the beautiful scenic coastline, fantastic beaches, arts and craft shops and mining heritage.


For further information please visit www.st-agnes.com


Sunset over Wheal Coates mine, St Agnes


Picture courtesy of Richard Selby - www.stagnes-traders.com


Visit Trevathan Farm for a taste sensation


Open daily from 9.30am, at Trevathan Farm Shop you will find both seasonal fruit and vegetables taken straight from the field available in the shop.


Alternatively, you can pick you own (please phone to check what is in season).


Browse through the farm shop packed full of goodies, including homemade cakes and jams, home produced meat and eggs, local cheeses, ice cream, wine, beer and Cornish Scrumpy, bread, fudge, pickles, clotted cream plus a selection of gifts and cards.


Stay a while and enjoy the home made food served in the restaurant including breakfast, coffee, lunch or why not treat yourself to one of Trevathan’s homemade cakes or cream teas.


Traditional Sunday lunch is served with home produced beef (bookings essential).


You can relax and let the children enjoy the play area (with motorized diggers and tractors) plus pets corner.


Farm Shop and Restaurant


Open Daily from 9.30am


PYO Fruit and Vegetables Cakes, cream teas, ice creams


Children’s play area and pets corner Find us in the B3314 at St Endellion nr Port Isaac Tel: 01208 880164 www.trevathanfarm.com


Trevathan Farm play area. Cornish Visitor Guide - spring / summer 2011 57


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