Confirmed · Port Gaverne and Port Quin · Beach
Port Gaverne
Coastal scenes around Portwenn in Doc Martin. Open to visitors; allow 30–60 minutes.
- On screen as
- Coastal scenes around Portwenn
- Series and episodes
- Series 1–10
- Access
- Open to visitors
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Where
- Port Gaverne, Cornwall
On screen
How Port Gaverne appears
Port Gaverne's narrow cove and slipway supplied coastal scenes on the edge of Portwenn, so on screen it reads as part of the same village rather than a separate place. The cottages around the cove include Port Gaverne Beach House, which played Portwenn's Police House, home of PC Joe Penhale. Individual episodes using the cove are not documented by the filming sources, so this guide treats it as a recurring backdrop rather than linking it to particular stories.
The real place
What you can visit
Port Gaverne is a tiny, sheltered cove with a shingle and sand beach, a slipway and a handful of cottages and a hotel. It is quieter than Port Isaac and makes a good short walk or a stop for a swim in calm weather. The beach is public and free, but it is tidal: at high water there is very little sand, so check tide times. The National Trust looks after much of the surrounding coast, and the South West Coast Path runs between Port Gaverne and Port Isaac.
Check tide times and sea conditions before going onto the beach, and keep clear of the slipway when boats are using it.
Visit Cornwall: Doc Martin locations ↗Port Gaverne is about half a mile east of Port Isaac, reached on foot by the coast path and road, or by car with very limited roadside parking. Most visitors park at Port Isaac's New Road car park and walk over. The slope down to the beach and the beach surface are uneven, so a step-free route to the sand cannot be promised.
Common questions
Planning a responsible visit
How far is Port Gaverne from Port Isaac?
About half a mile. You can walk between them on the coast path and road in around 15 minutes each way.
Where is the Doc Martin police house?
Port Gaverne Beach House, a National Trust holiday cottage by the cove. See it from the public cove and road, as it is let to guests.
Can you swim at Port Gaverne?
People do swim here in calm conditions. There is no guarantee of lifeguards, so check current conditions, tides and any safety signs before going in.
Is there parking at Port Gaverne?
Only very limited roadside parking. It is usually easier to park at Port Isaac and walk over on the coast path.
Plan your visit
Build it into the day.
Walk here from Port Isaac along the coast path, look at the Police House cottage from the public cove, then return for lunch in the village.
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Map
Days out including this place
Continue with a prepared day out
Nearby
Continue through Port Gaverne and Port Quin
Port Gaverne Beach House
Portwenn Police House, home of PC Penhale
See the location →
Doyden Castle
Mrs Tishell's cliff-top hideaway in the Series 5 finale
See the location →