Mill Barn
33525.4 miles NE of Port Isaac / Sleeps 8 + 2 cots*
7 Nights from £931 - £2550
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The Poldark Inn (1 ¼ miles)
Set on a hilltop and less than two miles from the sea, this pub is a good stopping off point when you are touring the north Cornish coast.
Nearest beach
Trebarwith Strand Beach (1 ½ miles)
Made up of half a mile of soft, golden sand backed by rock and cliff, Trebarwith Strand is a National Trust-owned beach near Tintagel. Easily accessible, at low tide a huge expanse of sand is revealed whilst at high tide the sea covers nearly all the beach. Lifeguarded in summer, Trebarwith Strand is a popular spot amongst people of all ages.
Mrs Warrington May 2015
Trebarwith Strand
We walked along the cliff tops to discover this beautiful stretch of dog friendly beach. It is accessed by a rocky plateau but once on the beach there is a long stretch of golden sand with plenty of room for all to play. Lots of body boarding & surfing to be had with places to hire equipment. It's a lovely unspoilt area with a couple of cafes, tourist shops & a pub. Definitely worth a visit.
Mrs Wood September 2014
Fantastic beach
We were recommended Trebarwith Strand as one of the nicest beaches along this stretch of coastline. It was beautiful. We visited at lowtide, so lots of sandy beach available. The entry onto the beach is past a few cafes (we had an amazing cream tea in one of them = yum) and over a rocky area, before you reach the sand. The rocks themselves are fascinating. The beach is a good size, with rock pools and caves and plenty for all to explore. Some of the roads approaching Trebarwith are steep and narrow - as is often in this part of Cornwall.
February 2014
Hidden Gem!
Found the beach by accident whilst staying at Port Isaac and visiting Tintagel.
Beautiful sandy beach,reached by clambering over rocks . Really nice Cafe serving burgers and chips etc. Wish we had time to return another day!
The Melia Family
The Ward Family January 2013
An absolute classic!
Trebarwith Strand lies at the end of a narrow lane that descends through a wooded valley to this beachside hamlet. A vast beach at Spring low tides, its only downside is at high tide it is reduced to a modest rocky plateau. Armed with a tide table, however, there is no excuse for at least 6 hours a day on this deeply charismatic beach. Surrounded by an impressive cliff-scape this beach offers caves, huge sand flats, streams and rock pools big enough for the kids to safely swim in. Great surf as well including surf hire and lessons.When the tide does gently nudge the family up onto the rocky plateau, lovely in its own right, there is always the Port William pub overlooking the beach or a variety of cafes and a couple of quirky gift shops to keep everyone entertained. This is also a great place to access the coastal path heading North East to Penhallic point and Tintagel castle or South West to Tregardock beach and Port Isaac. It can get busy in the high season but never on the Polzeath scale and out of season it is usually very peaceful.
Nearest walk
Tintagel and the Rocky Valley (1 ¾ miles)
Initially heading inland from Tintagel Vistor Centre to magical St Nectan's Glen, through Rocky Valley and then along the coast to Tintagel Castle. The views of the coastline throughout this walk are spectacular. Along the way you’ll come across a ruined village and Bronze Age carvings. It's around six miles at a moderate grading.
Nearest town
Tintagel (1 ¾ miles)
Tintagel, legendary home of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. On Tintagel Head the atmospheric ruins of the 12th Century castle command spectacular views up and down the rugged north coast of Cornwall. Take a few days to explore the surrounding area, which is steeped in Arthurian myth.
April 2012
If you visit Tintagel try the Wooton Hotel for a superb Sunday carvery lunch you will not be let down
Also nearby
Tintagel Castle (2 miles)
The remains of Tintagel Castle are at the heart of Arthurian legend. The location of the castle is spectacular – half a mile outside of Tintagel, across rugged clifftops, with no vehicular access. Tintagel Island, attached to the mainland by a sliver of land, enhances the wild and romantic atmosphere.
David Brear October 2015
Take your time
Leave unsteady members of the family at the café while more active members tackle the many uneven, high, sometimes slippery steps (handrails are provided - use them!). Enjoy the excellent information centre which uses an innovative overhead projector to show the succeeding occupations of the site. There is a café and toilets, and a Land Rover to run you down and back if the walk down the valley isn't for you.
This is a uniquely precious historical site, the first to show how dark age Britain was actually still firmly connected to Mediterranean civilisation. Its legendary connection to king Arthur led to the construction of the Norman castle, but don't let the historical fiction mislead you - this is a real site where hundreds of people lived and traded for centuries at the edge of the Atlantic long before the Saxons took over Cornwall. The dramatic cliffs, the birds, the butterflies will all make this a day to remember.
February 2014
Worth the climb!
A visit to Tintagel is a must when visiting this part of the world! The Castle has breathtaking views,but is a steep climb up to the top. The village has lots of friendly gift shops and good pubs to choose from.
April 2012
Awesome. A must see and you can even take your dog up the cliffs and around the ruins.
Thank you English Heritage.
Mrs Harding April 2012
Nice but you must be fit
This is a lovely old ruin split between 2 cliffs. To access both involve very steep steps. You must be very fit but its a nice day out.
Mrs Lansley October 2011
Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand
Although we stayed an hour away it was really worth the visit. My second visit in 10 years and so nice to see nothing had changed. Extremely steep slopes to climb - good steps and rails to hang on to but no access for wheelchairs or disabled! You must go on a good sunny day to take advantage of the views around. Always windy and blowy there.
Trebarwith Strand is just around the corner and is so worth the visit as the rock formation to get the beach is really worth seeing. Very natural but again no real access for wheelchairs or disabled really.
The Port William Inn (1 ¼ miles)
In a stunning setting, this pub offers wonderful views over Trebarwith Strand, excellent food and fine Cornish ales. A popular place for walkers, there is also a surf school nearby.
Mrs Young October 2013
A real gem.
We stumbled across the Port William at Trebarwith Strand one evening on our way back from Port Issac. When we arrived the sun was setting, the tide was high and the waves roaring! The pub sits on part of the cliff which looks over the bay of Trebarwith, offering stunning views of this part of the coastline. We had a drink whilst sat on one of the picnic benches outside and watched the sunset. Bliss! We then returned to the Port William for lunch later in our holiday and the food was very tasty 'pub grub'. The staff were very welcoming and the pub is child and dog friendly and our two sons enjoyed looking at the huge fish tank that resides in the main bar!
The Ward Family May 2013
An exceptional place to watch the sun set over Trebarwith Strand either with a pint of fine Cornish ale, glass of wine or a robust pub feast. Great food and a recently added contemporary extension to the dining area with outstanding sea views.
The Mill House Inn (1 mile)
Simple but perfectly executed classic dishes.
May 2013
This delightful converted traditional mill house offers the best of both worlds: an excellent pint of Cornish Ale in a worn leather armchair, maybe a live band, maybe a fire in the hearth...then next door a crisp gastro-pub style fine dining experience all within a stones throw from the fabulous Trebarwith strand.
Port Isaac (5 ¼ miles)
When you think of a Cornish seaside destination, images of Port Isaac will come to mind. A quintessential Cornish fishing village, it is a popular holiday destination so there are plenty of self catering cottages in Port Isaac to choose from. With fisherman’s cottages forming narrow winding streets leading steeply down to the stone walled harbour, dotted with colourful vessels of all shapes and sizes. In fact many of the streets here are so traditional and narrow, including the aptly-named ‘Squeezebelly Alley’, a car is not an option so leave it behind while you take to exploring the architecture by foot. Many of the old buildings are listed as being of historical importance and certainly add to the ambience. The fishing industry is still at work here, left over from its days as a busy coastal port in the mid-19th Century.
The inspiration for many a painting, there are plenty of photo opportunities to be had with the lobster cages and wooden rowing boats along the harbour wall. Set down on the seashore, the surrounding area is very hilly and steep, which allows for far reaching views, and several pretty streams wind their way down to the waterfront. Take a boat trip for a spot of sea fishing or just a scenic float-along during the holiday season or walk along the coastal path for panoramic sea views and dramatic cliffs.
The village of Port Isaac, is now most recognisable as Port Wenn, thanks to being chosen as the setting for the television series, Doc Martin. However, many other movies and tv programs have been filmed here such as ‘Saving Grace’ (again, starring Martin Clunes) and ‘Amy Foster’ with Sir Ian McKellen. It was also frequently used as a set for the Poldark series. The locals are very welcoming and are a tourist attraction in their own right with the formation of Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends - a group of Cornish shanty singers with a strong following.
A holiday in a Port Isaac cottage will be an excellent way to explore the north coast as there are many good beaches nearby such as the surfing beach of Polzeath and the family-friendly wide stretch of sand at Daymer Bay, which is also dog-friendly. It’s only a short drive to bigger towns such as Padstow, famed for its Rick Stein dominated restaurants, and Tintagel with the historic castle ruins. Being on the north coast, it is close to the Camel Trail which follows the River Camel to Padstow, an excellent cycling, walking or horse riding route.
Mrs Mitchell September 2012
Just like it is on the telly!!
Port Isaac is truey lovely to visit whether you are aware of the Doc Martin show or not, but if you love the show a visit here is a must!
Mr Mann June 2009
Doc Martin Filming in Port Isaac
They are presently filming a new series of Doc Martin in Port Isaac so keep your eyes open for Martin Clunes and the rest of the cast and crew. And when you get home it's great fun to spot the scenes you saw being filmed!
Boscastle (4 miles)
One of the few sheltered harbours on the north coast, Boscastle became famous in 2004 due to the devastating floods that swept through the village. The community has recovered remarkably well, and Boscastle is once more a thriving resort and a lovely village to visit.
Mrs Wood September 2014
Staying in Boscastle
Boscastle was a wonderful place to stay for our holiday. Good local shops, like the post office and Spar for provisions. We tried several pubs. The Napoleon, the Wellington (for Sunday lunch = yum) and the Old Manor house. I would recommend the Boscastle made ice-cream from a shop half way down the harbour walk on the left hand side as you walk towards the sea.
We thoroughly enjoyed sitting for ages, watching the blowhole in the harbour. It 'blow's about 1-1.5 hrs either side of low tide, and is amazing to watch, and listen to aswell.
There is a really enjoyable walk from the main car-park along the Valency river, which is flat, unless you decide to go up to Minster church, and that path is very steep.
We didn't rate the Tourist shops very highly, because everything was so expensive.
Mr Hillman May 2013
Delightful place; harbour and old village up the hill. Fine coast walks to either Tintagel or Crackington Haven with options of bus connections. Also local valley/wood walks. Recommend Cobwebs pub at the harbour and The Napoleon up in the village. If self catering, the farm shop about half mile out of village towards Crackington Haven on B3263, is worth a visit.
Mr Christie August 2011
Boscastle
Wonderful old harbour village - beautiful scenery can be seen from the headland which can be reached by two different paths, one on the right by the Harbour Light and one on the left. A tiny cove is also accessible where the blowhole can also be seen. Some lovely places to eat in Boscastle. We ate a lovely meal at the Cobweb Inn and also at the Riverside. We had cream teas and breakfast at the Harbour Light and Bridge Guest House, but the Riverside provided the best breakfast EVER. Some lovely shops such as the Mill and Things as well as an art gallery, fudge and Rock shop and 2 other fab gift shops. We love Boscastle and have been there many times. The Museum of Witchcraft also interesting. Visitor centre provides maps and info and also information about the flood and general history. Tintagel is 5 mins away and Crackington Haven about 10-15 mins drive as is Port Isaac. Padstow about 40 mins.
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