Port Isaac, the charming Cornish village known worldwide as the setting for ITV’s hit series Doc Martin, is facing a challenging transformation. Once a quiet fishing community, it has become inundated with tourists, radically altering its character and daily life.
Famous for its whitewashed cottages perched above a picturesque harbour, the village also gained recognition as home to the sea-shanty group Fisherman’s Friends. Yet, despite its appeal, the influx of visitors, especially in summer, has driven down the resident population. During the off-peak spring and autumn months, only about 30 locals remain in the lower village, highlighting a stark decline.
Port Isaac’s allure stems largely from its frequent appearances in film and television, from the original 1970s Poldark series to the 2000 comedy thriller Saving Grace, in addition to Doc Martin starring Martin Clunes. However, this fame has brought both benefits and burdens.
Local fisherman Tom Brown told the Telegraph that while visitor numbers have surged, the financial contribution from tourists has diminished compared to the past. He shared that many elderly residents “hate it” and avoid the lower village altogether, feeling it has been “ruined.” Despite these grievances, Mr. Brown believes that, at its core, Port Isaac remains unspoiled.
Housing affordability is another critical issue. Rising property prices, driven largely by second-home buyers, place local families at a disadvantage. Over the past year, the average property price in Port Isaac hit £425,140 according to Rightmove. Detached homes averaged nearly £490,000, terraced houses around £406,250, and flats £333,200 — all significantly higher than the UK average of approximately £299,000.
This steep rise is forcing many longtime residents to leave. Those who remain face a high cost of living compounded by seasonal fluctuations in tourism. Local businesses, too, find themselves under strain — striving to meet the demands of peak visitor months but struggling to sustain through quieter seasons.
In the wider context, Cornwall as a whole is grappling with a housing crisis. Councillor Olly Munk from Cornwall Council highlights that over 24,000 people are on the waiting list for local authority housing. While 775 “affordable” homes were added in 2024 and 600 housing sites have approval, the county faces a government mandate to build more than 4,000 new houses annually to tackle the shortage.
Port Isaac’s story reflects a common dilemma for many picturesque tourist villages: how to balance preserving local life and community with the economic forces that tourism and property demand create. The challenge now lies in finding a sustainable future where residents can thrive without losing the very essence that makes Port Isaac special.