Pretty Cornwall village that starred in ITV series is home to much-loved pub
IN CORNWALL is a pretty fishing village that made an appearance on television across 18 years in the hit ITV series Doc Martin.
Now, a pub that starred in the show and overlooks the seafront will reopen after it announced its sudden closure last month.
The postcard-worthy village of Port Isaac sits on the North coast of Cornwall.
It’s full of white-washed cottages and pubs including The Golden Lion which closed in February when the ‘local company running them ran out of money‘, according to Cornwall Live.
Just a few weeks later, the pub announced it was under new ownership of St Austell Brewery and would reopen on Friday 13 March with the same team.
When the news was revealed on Facebook, one local said: “So pleased to hear it will be reopening. It is the hub of the village. Will be in next week for a meal.”
Another added: “Wow that was a quick turnaround but really excellent news.”
While some might not have literally stepped into the pub, it has appeared on TV.
The Golden Lion doubled as the ‘Crab & Lobster‘ in the ITV series Doc Martin starring Martin Clunes which was on air between 2004 and 2022.
In fact, lots of Port Isaac was used in the TV show as it doubled as the fictional village of Portwenn.
Fans of the series will recognise the pretty harbour, beaches and the Grade-II Listed Fern Cottage which is perched high above the harbour.
The stone cottage once stood in as the doctor’s surgery and now fans of the show can rent it out as a two-bedroom self-catering holiday cottage.
The cosy cottage sleeps four, it also has a sun terrace, garden and a hot tub.
It’s not cheap though as the booking website estimates the cottage at £443 per night.
Fans of the show can take guided walking tours exploring locations like the cottage as well as Mrs. Tishell’s pharmacy, and the harbour.
A guided tour bookable with The Official Shop of the British Tourist Board starts from £17.
Port Isaac has roots dating back to the Middle Ages and later on was used as trading port for slate and then a pilchard fishing hub.
Fishing is still a popular activity in the village with daily catches of crab and lobster.
The village itself is full of pretty cottages, independent shops and narrow winding streets.
There’s even a street called Squeezy Belly Alley which is an 18th-century passageway that at its smallest point is just 18 inches in width.
Port Isaac is not the only location in Cornwall to appear on British TV shows.
The pretty village of Looe is famous for being the backdrop of Beyond Paradise.
Another is the Lizard peninsula which is set to be big this year when the the new HBO Harry Potter series airs.
Earlier this year, actor John Lithgow who plays Albus Dumbledore, was spotted filming on the beach.
One of the spots where Harry Potter has been filming is in Cadgwith Cove, a small fishing village and Kynance Cove, a tidal beach with white sand, turquoise sea and rock stacks.
For more on Cornwall, this pretty English town was once the ‘capital of Cornwall’ and here you might spot some royals.
And here are the Sun’s favourite hotels, holiday parks, cottages and campsites in Cornwall.