Visiting Cornwall

The village for Doc Martin's is Port Isaac. I think that hiring a car would be easier for you, hiring a cab to show you around could get expensive. That said, Cornwall is beautiful and you will love it.

While in Penzance fall of 2013, we toured St. Michaels Mount. It was a wonderful way to spend probably 3 hours. It is just east of Penzance along the coast. You will see it from the train coming in to Penzance. I think it is a must see. We didn't make it to Padstow, we just didn't have time. We also love Doc Martin and visited Port Issac. We spent the night at the Schoolhouse or Old Schoolhouse hotel. No, it isn't cheap, but it was clean and such a great location. Breakfast was more than adequate and we actually ate dinner there and it was quite good. We got a map at the ice cream shop and walked around seeing all the filming locations in the village, which by the way is darling. We went to the pub and had drinks with other tourists/Doc Martin fans and very friendly locals. It was a highlight of our 2 weeks in Cornwall and Devon. All our friends at home were green with envy! I also would advise renting a car. It was well worth it. Be aware, the backroads in Cornwall are narrow, but it is worth the freedom to go where you want.

Doris,

Cornwall, one of my favorite places in England. Lots to see. The Minack, Tintagel, The Lost Gardens of Heligen, The Eden Project, Mt St Michael. Even Lands End. I love Mevagissey and Polperro and The Lizard. Also Bodmin.
I also reccommend hiring a car and driving yourself. If I can do it you can do it.

Laurel

If you feel uncomfortable in hiring a car there is a very good bus system in Cornwall. We spent a couple of weeks there last September and used the bus to get us to the start of our walks. We were doing sections of the Southwest Coastal path and this system worked out very well.