Private Doc Martin Tour of Cornwall and Port Isaac
Full Day Tour, 1-4 guests £425 additional passengers £50 per person per day.
Where is Doc Martin filmed?
Doc Martin was filmed mainly in Port Isaac, the real Cornish fishing village used as the fictional village of Portwenn. On this private full-day Doc Martin tour of North Cornwall, local guide Barry Pengelly will show you many of the best-known filming locations, including the harbour, Fern Cottage and the narrow village lanes seen throughout the series.
The tour also explores some of the most dramatic places along the North Cornwall coast, including Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Quin, Polzeath and Padstow. It is a varied sightseeing tour, with time to enjoy Cornwall’s coastal scenery and historic villages as well as its familiar television locations.
Boscastle and Tintagel
The day begins with collection from your accommodation before travelling along the North Cornwall coast to the unspoilt fishing village of Boscastle. Here you can explore the historic harbour and, if you wish, visit the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.
From Boscastle, the route continues past buildings and landscapes used in Doc Martin and other productions filmed in this part of Cornwall. You can discover more about the county’s screen connections in our guide to film and television locations in Cornwall.
The next stop is Tintagel, home to the 14th-century Old Post Office and the dramatic clifftop ruins of Tintagel Castle. The village and surrounding coastline are closely associated with the legends of King Arthur and offer some of the finest views in North Cornwall.
Doc Martin filming locations in Port Isaac
A scenic coastal drive then leads to Port Isaac, the real Portwenn and the principal filming location for Doc Martin. You can wander through its narrow alleyways, known locally as opes, between whitewashed fishermen’s cottages and down towards the historic harbour.
Among the recognisable locations is Fern Cottage, used as the exterior of Doc Martin’s home and surgery. You can also see the Old School, which appeared as Portwenn’s primary school and Louisa’s workplace, and visit other familiar locations connected with Mrs Tishell and the residents of Portwenn.
After time to explore Port Isaac, the tour continues to the quiet natural harbour of Port Quin. From here, you can walk towards Doyden Castle, which appeared in Doc Martin as Pentire Castle, and hear about the hard lives of former residents and why Port Quin became known as the ‘village that died’.
Polzeath, Padstow and the Camel Estuary
Travelling farther along the coast, the route passes the popular surfing beach of Polzeath before continuing towards Padstow. You can remain with the vehicle for the journey or, where practical, take the foot ferry across the Camel Estuary.
In Padstow, there will be time to explore the working fishing harbour, with its boats, shops, galleries and restaurants. It provides a relaxed conclusion to a day combining Doc Martin filming locations with some of the highlights of North Cornwall.
As this is a private tour, the day can be paced around your interests. If there are particular Doc Martin locations or places in North Cornwall that you would especially like to see, mention them when you enquire and Barry can advise on the best route.
