Port Isaac And The Coastal Path to Port Quin

Yesterday morning we slept in until about 9am and then got up and headed down the street to the Chapel Cafe for breakfast.

The cafe is just a few doors down from the Doc Martin Surgery and it has been a real treat not only staying here, but knowing everything is within a short {albeit hilly} walking distance. 

Cafe downstairs, gift shop upstairs. We loved it. 

After filling our bellies we headed down to the harbor to look for shells. We ended up finding a few cuttle bones and limpet shells {which we put in The Girl’s backpack to bring home}.

We also couldn’t resist climbing the breakwater to get a better view of the village and beyond. 

After exploring the beach a bit we stopped by the pay toilets and paid 20p to check them out. Because seriously, how many times in your life do you get to do that?

After that we walked back up to the surgery and picked up The Girl’s backpack and giant water bottle she insisted on bringing and headed out on our walk along the coastal path. 

There were a lot of cows. 

So we stopped and said hello. 

See that little path carved out on the hillside?

Before we left for the trip I had told The Girl we should think about doing a “walking holiday”.  I told her I thought it would be a fun challenge to walk the entire path along the English coast and that we could take multiple trips and break it up into sections.

And then I found out it was something like 2,800 miles long. 

And that there were a LOT of hills.

And then I was like umm…. you know, I think this is good. I think this is all we need to do. 🙂 

If you squint real hard you can just make out the town of Port Isaac. It may not look that hilly…. but oh my goodness. It was! 

When we finally made it to the next “village” we immediately filled The Girl’s water bottle at the first fountain {maybe the only one?} we saw.

Mrs. HB was there in spirit. 

The original plan was to start in Port Isaac and walk along the coastal path to the town of Polzeath {9.4 miles} and either walk back or take an Uber back to Port Isaac.

But after walking {climbing!} 3.8 miles along the hilly roller coaster-like path and arriving in the village of Port Quin, we spotted a sign for an inland {less hilly} route back to Port Isaac and quickly decided to do that instead.

Or rather I decided. 🙂 The Girl would have kept going. 

Public footpaths are a big deal here. And although it feels like you’re trespassing on someone else’s land {which you are} it’s what they do here.

And it’s a great way to take in the scenery {from someone else’s land}.

And to get a little exercise! 🙂

A view of Port Isaac from the inland footpath. 

The coastal path goes right by the Doc Martin Surgery {where we’re staying} and since there were so many people out in front of the house taking pictures, we decided to head down to the village for an ice cream.

If you’re a fan of the show Doc Martin then you’ll recognize this storefront as the Portwenn chemist shop run by Sally Tishell.

But inside it’s really a sweet shop. They just changed the signs out front and pulled out all the merchandise for filming.

Biscoff ice cream. If you’ve never tried it before OH MY GOODNESS it’s wonderful.

We also spotted the Portween Primary school.

And Louisa’s cottage. 

All that walking around made us hungry so we picked up some fish and chips for linner. 

And then while we were up at the cottage eating {look up, you can see the cottage!} we heard some singing down on the platt so we ran down to see what it was all about.

We never really figured out exactly what was going on, but it was still fun being down there and being a part of it. 

I love it here in Port Isaac!!!! I think I could stay here forever. 

~Mavis