Alice James
27 August 2024
Discover the backdrop for the feel-good film Fisherman’s Friends. Join us as we uncover the iconic filming locations that bring this uplifting story to life and explore the scenic beauty of this coastal village that makes the movie truly heartwarming.
Port Isaac
The sleepy fishing village of Port Isaac is where the Fisherman's Friends call home, and it is also the main filming location. Its narrow winding streets are lined with old white-washed cottages that slope down to the famous harbour, known to locals as The Platt. It is here that the Fisherman's Friends traditionally gather to sing their songs of the sea beside the shore.
Port Isaac holds a special place for these talented vocalists. If you would like to see The Fisherman's Friends perform, they still venture down to The Platt when the mood takes them for impromptu singing sessions throughout the summer. They do worldwide tours and ticketed events. You can find details of their live shows here.
The Golden Lion, Port Isaac
Did you know that the Fisherman's Friends have been performing in Port Isaac for more than 25 years? It all began when they started singing for fun on Friday nights at their local pub, The Golden Lion.
The Golden Lion is an 18th-century pub set above the harbour. It features heavily throughout the film, and if you're lucky, you might even spot one of the real-life Fisherman's Friends enjoying a drink beside the fire!
Port Gaverne
The neighbouring bay to Port Isaac, Port Gaverne, is also on the map as one of the set locations. We were lucky enough to watch the rescue scene being filmed here, where the real RNLI lifeboat and crew were used.
You can easily walk to Port Gaverne from Port Isaac. You might even be lucky enough to hitch a ride in the tuk tuk belonging to Pilchards Café, and here you can enjoy a drink and a bite with a view across the beach. If you want to get involved in the action, Cornish Rock Tors offer coasteering sessions where you can explore the very cliff featured in the film, or for a more serene experience, hire a kayak or paddleboard.
St Kew
The picture-perfect Cornish village of St Kew features in the film, more specifically, the beautiful Saint James' church. 'Keep Hauling', the soundtrack album for the film, was recorded here (the Fisherman's Friends favourite temporary studio). The soundtrack features 17 sea shanties, including both old and new tracks.
You can easily reach St Kew from Port Isaac, which is just a 3.5-mile drive away. We recommend making an afternoon of it and booking lunch at the St Kew Inn (one of our favourite local pubs).
Experience life on location in Port Isaac
Live the Fisherman's Friends lifestyle and soak up the atmosphere at the various filming locations. Whether you want to stay right amongst the action or in a more peaceful countryside location within walking distance of Port Isaac, here are our top picks for accommodation.
The Port Hole
This dreamy three-bed getaway is just a stone's throw from all the Port Isaac filming locations, including the harbour and the Golden Lion pub. Here, you are close enough to hear the sound of the Fisherman's Friends if you are lucky enough to stay when they perform on the Platt in the summer.
The Linhaye
If you are looking for a quieter, more peaceful base to explore the film locations, why not stay at The Linhaye or Trefreock Mill? Nestled beside one another, these enchanting barn conversions sleep four and eight guests and are set among rolling green fields just a short walk away from the village of Port Isaac. Explore the Fisherman's Friends filming locations from The Linhaye, a self-catering holiday cottage near Port Isaac.
The No. 7 Collection
Delightfully perched above the clifftops of Port Isaac, the No. 7 Collection is a blissful assortment of stylish two and three-bedroom apartments (and a three-bedroom cottage, called The Cornishman, located alongside). With miles of scenic walks on your doorstep, it’s the perfect place to bring your four-legged friends with you on holiday. Take a look inside Pymp below, the top-floor apartment of this lovely collection.
Stay in Port Isaac
Take a peek at our full selection of Port Isaac properties below and find your perfect holiday cottage in this quiet and beautiful village.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.