Doc Martin
“I’ve got 99 problems and Portwenn is all of them.”
“My diagnosis: you’re an idiot.”
The British TV series Doc Martin rose to become a global phenomenon. Martin Clunes stared as Dr Martin Ellingham, the curmudgeonly but brilliant surgeon assigned to the local surgery (doctor’s office) in the sleepy fishing village of Portwenn after suddenly developing a blood phobia. His lack of social skills makes him unpopular with the locals. Martin’s wife Philippa Braithwaite produced every episode of all 10 series. (Another great show that Martin starred in and Philippa produced was Manhunt.)
The fictional Portwenn is in fact Port Isaac on the north coast of Cornwall and it was such a privilege today to walk through the streets that have long endeared us, along with millions of others worldwide, since 2004.
It rained hard all last night so we were optimistic that would result in a lovely cloud-filled day today. Gratefully, that ended up being the case. Other than the chilly breeze, it was a picture-perfect day.
The school where Louisa (or “Louiser” as they say) works.
Overlooking the slipway and the balcony of The Golden Lion pub.
The harbor
The town as seen from the harbor
On the pathway to the breakwater.
Standing on the breakwater.
Just below Doc Martin’s surgery is Bert Large’s restaurant, accessed through this gate.
Bert Large’s restaurant and terrace.
Burt Large’s restaurant as seen from across the harbor (the white building just right of Amanda’s head). The Doc’s surgery is the small building just up the hill.
Doc Martin’s unmistakable surgery (it’s for sale by the way!).
Just up the hill from the surgery, where the giggly girls always seem ready to ridicule the doc.
The chimneys from the surgery behind me.
Such a beautiful day!
The Doc’s surgery (the small building) as seen from across the harbor.
Sitting on Bert Large’s seat (actor Ian McNeice) on Roscarrock Hill.
Mrs Tishall’s chemist, one of the only interiors used for filming. Most interiors were shot on a nearby farm in a converted barn studio.
This was used as Mrs Tishall’s chemist during season 1 only.
The Golden Lion pub—featured as the “Crab & Lobster" in Doc Martin—was also featured in the film The Fisherman’s Friends. Fancy a pint?
Korev lager “Born in Cornwall…The coast is our compass.”
The Golden Lion
The familiar backdrop of the pub’s interior.
On the balcony of the Golden Lion where Louiser frequently had lunch.
The Bones Bar, separate from the main bar area, is located on the lower ground floor of the Golden Lion pub. In there, a section of glassed flooring shows an old passageway that was allegedly a storage area used by smugglers.
A door from the pub exits to an area called The Gun Deck, where a gun from the SS Milly is displayed. The vessel was sunk by a German U-boat in 1918 during WWI.
The cellar door shown here was featured in the show when Burt and Al get locked inside.
The small passageway near the Doc’s flat.
Aunt Ruth’s cottage.
Aunt Ruth’s cottage behind Amanda
Louisa’s house.
