THE BBC delved into the extraordinary history of Port Isaac in a new show which aired on Tuesday night (January 29) on BBC Four.

‘Pubs, Ponds and Power: The Story of the Village’ tracks Port Isaac’s remarkable journey through time, from the daring fishermen who braved rough seas to make ends meet to the ingenious building works that turned it from a sleepy village into an international trading post. 

Archaeologist Ben Robinson explores the factors which allowed the remote coastal settlement to grow: its almost unique position as a safe harbour, its hardy villagers and its strategic spot for exporting desirable Cornish goods.

Ben said: “For me the story of our villages from the Normans to the present day is not one of sleepy, rural idylls, it’s a story of purpose and power.

“It’s not hard to see why thousands of tourists come every year to experience this slice of Cornish coastal history. But behind the picture postcard is a place where life was tough.

“Fishing villages like Port Isaac were early incubators of an entrepreneurial spirit — and on this wild Atlantic coast we see our fledgling trading nation connecting with the world beyond.”

It is the third episode in the series, which has already received glowing reviews in The Times, Telegraph and other newspapers.

The Port Isaac episode is now available on the BBC iPlayer.