Port Isaac, Fishing village in North Cornwall, England
Port Isaac sits on the north coast of Cornwall and surrounds a small sheltered natural harbor where fishing boats rest between stone quays and whitewashed houses. The lanes drop steeply toward the water, lined with low granite and rendered cottages that climb the hillside.
From the 14th century onward, the place served as a harbor for grain, timber, and slate until the expansion of railways in the 19th century shifted trade away. Residents then turned more fully to fishing, which continues to shape life around the harbor today.
The name comes from Cornish Porth Ysek, meaning corn port, a reference to its earlier role in grain trade. The houses stand close along steep lanes, their walls often carrying traces of salt and proximity to the sea.
The main car park stands above the village on the clifftop, as the narrow steep lanes leading to the harbor are accessible only on foot. The paths downward run partly over uneven steps and cobblestones, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
In a narrow lane called Temple Bar, also known as Squeezy Belly Alley, visitors must turn sideways to pass through, measuring only about 50 centimeters (20 inches) at its tightest point. Tourists often pause here for photographs while locals regard the passage as routine.
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