Cornwall’s traditional fishing villages are full of narrow streets, passageways, and delightful little nooks and crannies.
If you’ve ever watched the popular TV sitcom “Doc Martin”, you’ll have seen Dr Martin Ellingham struggling to squeeze his Lexus down the narrow streets of Port Isaac, otherwise known as “Portwenn“.
Lined with whitewashed cottages, or pastel shades like yellow ochre, the picturesque village dates back to the time of Henry VIII, although its centre is mostly from the 18th and 19th century when its prosperity depended on the shipping and fishing trades.
Fore Street in Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Bryan Ledgard
Meaning “corn port”, Port Isaac initially served the trade in corn grown on the surrounding arable lands.
Later, cargoes of coal, wood, stone, and pottery were hauled along its narrow streets to the harbour, then shipped out to sea for export.
Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
“Fore Street” is a name often used in the south west of England to mean the main street of a town or village.
Derived from the Cornish word “Forth”, meaning “Street”, and corrupted to “Fore” in English, there are over seventy examples in Cornwall alone.
English colonists from Cornwall are thought to have named Fore Street in Portland, Maine, in the United States.
Fore Street, Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Stroll the meandering narrow streets and you’ll pass traditional family-run butchers shops, tucked-away seafood restaurants, and confectionery shops with Cornwall’s famous fudge made from local cream.
Old cottages in Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Manfred Heyde
The narrow streets of Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Pride of Place confectionary shop in Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Nilfanion
Become a stowaway at the Stowaway Tea Shoppe where they also sell delicious Cornish ice cream that some say is the world’s best.
The Stowaway Tea Shoppe in Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
And no trip to Port Isaac is complete without a visit to the Doctor—that’s Doc Martin, naturally.
Famous for the film location of ITV’s Doc Martin comedy-drama series, Port Isaac also played host to the original 1970s version of the BBC’s Poldark series.
Doc Martin’s House, Port Isaac, Cornwall. Credit Nilfanion
Another delightful Cornish village lined with narrow streets is Polperro.
Misty day at Polperro, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Meaning “Pyra’s Cove” in the Cornish language, Polperro’s tightly-packed fishermen’s cottages, quaint harbour, and beautiful coastline make it a popular tourist destination in summer months.
Dating from the 1700s, a typical old fisherman’s cottage featured a fishing net store on the ground floor with steps leading up to the living accommodation above.
Quaintly named, the little fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced “Mowzle”) is laced with a maze of narrow streets.
Narrow street in Mousehole, Cornwall. Credit Nilfanion
Destroyed by the Spanish raid on Cornwall in the Anglo-Spanish war of 1585-1604, the only building to survive any damage was a pub owned by local resident Jenkyn Keigwin who died from a cannonball shot while defending it.
Mousehole, Cornwall. Credit Nilfinion
Ringed by lichened cottages and houses, the picturesque harbour reveals a sandy beach at low tide that’s popular with families.
Mousehole harbour, Cornwall. Credit Nilfanion
Reminding you of its delightful name and giving you another opportunity to practice how it’s pronounced, The Mousehole giftshop joins galleries, pubs, and restaurants along the harbour front.
The Mousehole gift shop in Mousehole, Cornwall. Credit Otto Domes
Over a thousand years old, the ancient town of Looe in south-east Cornwall straddles the Looe River.
Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Situated on the east side of the river, East Looe has numerous narrow streets and lanes, one of which is Fore Street—the main thoroughfare—teeming with shops, bakeries, pubs, and restaurants.
Fore Street, East Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Fore Street, East Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Formerly a 15th-century merchant’s house, the timber-framed and painted-stone “Ye Olde Cottage Restaurant” on the tiny alleyway of Middle Market Street features oak ceiling beams and an old oak fireplace lintel.
The narrow old streets of Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Only wide enough for single-file traffic, Buller Street joins Fore Street and both are dotted with coffeeshops, pubs, pasty shops, bakeries, and crêperies.
Buller Street, East Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Originally built in 1420 and featuring salvaged oak timbers from a wrecked galleon of the Spanish Armada, the Smugglers Cott is said to have a tunnel leading to the quayside that was used by smugglers bringing their loot ashore.
Now serving loot of the edible variety, the restaurant offers delicious local seafood, steaks, and rib roast carvery.
Medieval building in Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Just in case anyone is tempted to drive down such a narrow alleyway on Lower Chapel Street, the no-entry sign is a reminder that it’s not a good idea.
Lower Chapel Street, East Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Upstairs or downstairs? Many former fishermen’s cottages now offer holiday season lettings.
Old Cornish cottages in East Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Set in a quiet traffic-free passageway a few yards from the harbour, Sandpipers is a 150-year-old former fisherman’s cottage, refurbished to offer comfortable accommodations.
Former fisherman’s cottage in Looe, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
If Mevagissey‘s narrow streets were as busy as her little harbour, people might be stuck in traffic for hours!
Nestled in a small valley, tourism may have supplanted a once thriving fishing industry but Mevagissey manages to maintain 63 working fishing boats alongside dozens of pleasure vessels.
Rising up the steep slopes of the surrounding hillsides, the outer areas provide accomodations for local residents while the village centre is filled with eateries and shops aimed at tourists.
The narrow streets of Mevagissey, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Narrow street in Mevagissey, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Named after two saints —St Mevan and St Issey—in the late 1600s, the village thrived on pilchard fishing and smuggling and there were at least 10 inns, of which the Fountain Inn and Ship Inn remain to this day.
The 15th century Fountain Inn, Mevagissey, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Fore Street in Mevagissey, Cornwall. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
We hope you enjoyed a whirlwind tour of some of Cornwall’s narrow streets and feel inspired to visit one day in the not too distant future.
Rolling hills, sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, medieval towns, and moorland—the English county of Devon has it all.
Deriving its name from the ancient Dumnonii tribe of Brittonic Celts, Devon is thought to mean “deep valley dwellers”.
With so much to experience and enjoy, we’re convinced you’ll be dreaming of dwelling in Devon for your next vacation.
Landscape and Scenery
Devon is the only English county with two separate coastlines—the ruggedly beautiful rural north, with its dramatic cliffs rising 1000 ft from the sea, and the gentler rolling hills of the south, dotted with pretty towns and seaside resorts.
Lashed by the Atlantic ocean, North Devon’s coastal swells draw surfers from far and wide.
North Devon Coast at Watermouth Cove. Credit Andrew Bone, flickr
Bathed in the semi-tropical warmth carried on the Gulf Stream, South Devon experiences a milder climate, with seaside family resort towns and pretty fishing villages.
Kingswear on the tidal River Dart within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
South Devon countryside near Sidmouth. Credit Bob Radlinski
The River Tavy at Tavistock, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Branscombe, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
The Teign Gorge, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Bridge over the River Dart, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson
Seaside Towns and Beaches
The opening of Britain’s railways during the Victorian Era enabled ordinary folk to travel to seaside resorts all across Britain.
Comparing well with the French Riviera, Victorians began calling the outstanding 22-mile stretch of coastline centered on Torbay the “English Riviera”, and the name stuck.
Torquay in 1890
With its picturesque harbours, bustling towns, and family-friendly beaches, the English Riviera is perfect for either a day trip or a longer stay.
Torquay Marina. Credit Barry Lewis
Torquay Marina. Credit Barry Lewis
Peak Hill Road & Scenery. From the road looking back down towards Sidmouth and the Jurrasic Coast. Credit Lewis Clarke
Captivated by the beauty of the Georgian town of Sidmouth, the Poet Laureate John Betjeman called it “a town caught in a timeless charm”.
Torcross & Slapton Sands, South Devon. Credit Baz Richardson
Budleigh Salterton, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson
Brixham Harbour from King Street. Credit David Dixon
The harbour at Lynmouth, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Blackpool Sands, South Devon. Credit Matthew Hartley, flickr
Family fun and happy childhood memories are what a holiday in Devon is all about.
Good old-fashioned family fun in Devon. Credit Steve Johnson, flickr
National Parks
Encompassing two National Parks, two World Heritage Sites, and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), over half of Devon’s land is protected by law.
Sunset at Haytor, Dartmoor. Credit Simon Vogt, flickr
Known for its rounded boulder-like outcrops of granite called tors, over 160 hills include the word “tor” in their name.
Combestone Tor in the centre of Dartmoor. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Clapper Bridge on Dartmoor. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Hardy, and with excellent stamina and a kind temperament, Dartmoor ponies have lived in the south west of England for hundreds of years.
Used as a working animal by local quarries and tin mines, their numbers have fallen from around 25,000 in the 1930s to a few thousand today.
Inspiring Britain’s writers for centuries, Devon has featured in many famous works, including Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby, Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, RD Blackmore’s Lorna Doone, Charles Kingsley’s The Water Babies, and a host of Agatha Christie murder mysteries.
Stone enclosure on Dartmoor. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Wild and windswept, Dartmoor soaks up the warmth of the setting sun.
Early evening on Dartmoor. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Cathedrals, Abbeys, and Churches
Completed in around 1400 and dedicated to Saint Peter, Exeter Cathedral’s Decorated Gothic style replaced a much earlier Norman design, of which two massive towers remain.
Constructed entirely of local stone, notable features include the multi-ribbed ceiling, the Great East Window containing 14th-century stained glass, and Britain’s earliest complete set of fifty misericords (wooden carvings on seats designed to fold up and act as support during standing prayer).
Exeter Cathedral. Credit Joe Dunckley, flickr
Exeter Cathedral has the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in the world, at about 315 ft.
Exeter Cathedral Nave. Credit David Iliff
Buckfast Abbey is an active Benedictine monastery that was refounded in 1882 after the previous 12th-century abbey was destroyed during King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539.
fast Abbey, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Interior of Buckfast Abbey, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon princess Werburgh, the parish church at Wembury, in the hills above the beach, has commanding views across the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Church of St Werburgh at Wembury, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson
There are literally dozens of historically significant village churches to explore, many dating from Norman Britain.
St Andrew’s Church, Broadhembury. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
The Church of St Mary, Ottery St Mary, Devon. Credit Spencer Means, flickr
Named after a Roman centurion who converted to Christianity, the parish church at Tavistock is a “wool church”—financed primarily by rich wool merchants and farmers during the Middle Ages, hoping their largesse would ensure a place in heaven.
St Eustachius’ Church, Tavistock, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Castles and Country Houses
Powderham Castle is a fortified manor house and home to the Courtenay family, Earls of Devon.
The appellation “castle” was added in the 17th century and although never a true castle with a keep and moat, it had a protective curtain wall and yard on the east side.
Powderham Castle, Devon, east front
Featuring a mixture of medieval towers and fine 18th-century decoration, Powderham Castle is named from the ancient Dutch word “polder”, and means “the hamlet of the reclaimed marsh-land”.
Powderham Castle and Rose Garden, Devon. Credit Erin Brierley
The Staircase Hall has an impressive mahogany staircase decorated with carved heraldic beasts and intricate plasterwork.
Inside Powderham Castle. Credit Manfred Heyde
Used as the filming location for the highly-rated 1983 version of Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, Knightshayes Court is pure Victorian Gothic, complete with gargoyles, corbels, and a medieval-inspired great hall.
Renowned architectural scholar Nikolaus Pevsner called it “an eloquent expression of High Victorian ideals in a country house”.
Knightshayes Court, Tiverton, Devon. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
Knightshayes Court, Devon. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
Knightshayes Court Bedroom, Devon. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
Designed by Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam, the beautiful Georgian mansion of Saltram House was described by architectural scholar Pevsner as “the most impressive country house in Devon”.
Considered one of Adam’s finest interiors, the sumptuous drawing room features Rococo plasterwork, exceptional paintings, luxurious Axminster carpets, and the finest damask upholstered Thomas Chippendale furniture.
Derived from Devon county, the term “Devonshire Cream Tea” refers to a light meal taken in the afternoon at around 4 pm, consisting of a pot of tea with scones, clotted cream, and jam.
Anglo-Saxon texts from around the 8th century refer to “Defenascir”, meaning “Devonshire” after it changed from the Latin name “Dumnonia” following the fall of Roman rule in Britain.
A “chocolate box” Devonshire Cream Tea experience at Selworthy in Devon. Credit Heather Cowper, Flickr
Devon and Cornwall have different ideas over how to eat scones with cream tea.
Devonians prefer to add cream first followed by jam, whereas the Cornish way is to add the jam first.
Either way, Devonshire Cream Tea remains one of the most popular snacks ordered at countless tea shops and cafes in the region and across Britain.
Devon style scones with clotted cream and jam. Credit Linnie, flickr
Dairy farming has been important to Devon for centuries, with the 11th-century monks at Tavistock Abbey known to have offered bread with cream and jam to local workers who helped rebuild the Abbey after it was attacked by Vikings in 997 AD.
The best cream comes from happy cows, and Devon’s cows are among the happiest—churning out cream by the churnful!
Life on George Casely’s Farm, Devon, England, 1942
Watersmeet House is a beautiful former fishing lodge turned into a tea room and shop by the National Trust.
Surrounded by pristine countryside, it makes a perfect place to stop for afternoon tea for the whole family.
Watersmeet House near Lynmouth, Devon. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
The 18th-century 16-sided “A La Ronde” is a licensed award-winning tea-room offering delicious homemade cakes, afternoon tea, and light meals.
Sourced from local farms, specialties include the smoked chicken, the South Devon sweet chilli jam and, of course, the Devonshire clotted cream.
Eat inside the tea-room or out on the lawn taking in the estuary views with picnic rugs provided.
A La Ronde near Lympstone, Exmouth, seen from the south west. Credit Markfromexeter
Olde Corner Shoppe teas and lunches in Coylton, Devon. Credit Sludge G, flickr
Coastal Walks
Stretching for 630 miles along the coasts of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset, the South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked footpath and National Trail.
Originating as a path for coastguards to walk between lighthouses while patrolling for smugglers, the South West Coast Path covers both the north and south coasts of Devon.
The South West Coast Path above Pudcombe Cove. Credit Philip Halling
The South West Coast Path above Blackpool Sands. Credit Philip Halling
Valley of the Rocks, Devon. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
The Great Mewstone at Wembury Point, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Pretty Villages and Towns
Devon is dotted with dozens of pretty coastal and inland villages and towns.
Brightly-coloured fishing villages and quaint thatched cottages typify the beautiful settings—perfect for strolling among antique and gift shops, bookstores, and galleries.
The village of Beer, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Step back in time in the beautiful seaside village of Clovelly on Devon’s north coast.
Flanked by whitewashed houses—most of which are architecturally listed and protected as historically important—Clovelly’s steep cobbled main street descends 400 ft to the harbour below.
Clovelly Main Street. Credit Bob Radlinski, flickr
The village of Axmouth, East Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Branscombe Village, Devon. Credit Gary Turner, flickr
Pretty Devon cottages at Branscombe. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Dating back to 907 AD, Totnes was a thriving market town with many wealthy merchant’s houses from the 16th and 17th centuries lining the “Fore Street”—the name given to the main thoroughfare in many towns of south west England.
Fore Street, Totnes, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson
Operating over part of a converted railway branch line, the Tramway in the little seaside town of Seaton runs 13 half-scale replicas of classic British trams on a 3-mile route through East Devon’s beautiful Axe Valley.
The vintage tramway at Seaton, Devon. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr
Dartmouth Regatta. Credit Adam Court, flickr
With so much to offer, Devon is sure to have you dreaming of your next visit.
Sunset over Plymouth Sound. Credit Baz Richardson, flickr