Some places in Cornwall seem to have their own soundtrack. In Port Isaac, it’s the cry of gulls, the sound of waves against the harbour wall and, if you’re lucky, a chorus of deep voices rising from the quayside.
On the North Cornwall coast, Port Isaac is a village where the sea has shaped almost every part of its character. This is home to Fisherman’s Friends, the much-loved group whose story has taken them from local charity singers to Glastonbury, royal celebrations and the big screen.
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First things first: they have nothing to do with throat lozenges! Real fishermen and their friends from Port Isaac, they are bound by a shared connection with the sea. The group began in the early 1990s, as friends who gathered to sing in founder member John Brown’s front room and later at the Golden Lion pub above the harbour. Eventually, they took their songs down to the harbour, where they sang sea shanties on Friday evenings to raise money for local charities. What began as a small gathering soon became a much-loved local tradition.
The Fisherman’s Friends band has members from a variety of backgrounds including fishermen, lifeboatmen, coastguards, builders, shopkeepers and engineers. Their varied working lives have helped shape the distinctive character of their performances.
Port Isaac and the tradition of sea shanties
Port Isaac has been a fishing village for centuries. The harbour sits at the heart of the village, surrounded by steep lanes and whitewashed cottages. Fishing remains part of the community’s identity.
Cornish sea shanties have a long connection with the county’s maritime history. These working songs were used aboard sailing ships to help crews coordinate tasks such as hauling ropes, raising sails and turning capstans. A leader would call out a line and the crew would answer, creating a strong rhythm that made hard, repetitive work more manageable. The tradition flourished, particularly in the 19th century, although maritime work songs existed prior to this.
Shanties travelled the world with sailors and absorbed influences from different cultures and ports. In Cornwall, they became part of a wider tradition of singing and storytelling. The Cornish National Music Archive notes that shanties were collected from Cornish singers in the early 20th century and remain part of the county’s musical tradition. Listen to Fisherman’s Friends and you hear that history in songs such as South Australia, John Kanaka, Haul Away Joe, Nelson’s Blood and Bully in the Alley.
From the Platt to the world
A turning point came when the band’s music reached beyond Cornwall and they were eventually signed to a major record label.
Their 2010 album, Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends, reached number nine in the UK Albums Chart and went Gold, making them the first traditional folk act to achieve a UK top ten album. They followed it with One and All, Proper Job and Sole Mates.
Live performances took them far beyond North Cornwall.They have performed at the BBC Proms in the Park, Cambridge Folk Festival and Sidmouth Folk Week. Their achievements also include singing for the late Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations and receiving the Good Tradition Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Perhaps the most fitting stage, however, is the Minack Theatre, perched dramatically above the sea. Its setting feels like a natural extension of the harbour, bringing the band’s music back to the Cornish coastline that helped shape it.
The real story behind the Fisherman’s Friend film
The first Fisherman’s Friend film arrived in 2019, bringing the band’s story to the big screen. While the film introduces fictional characters and storylines, the real group had already spent years singing together in Port Isaac and raising money for charity before the music industry took notice.
Their real story is perhaps even more charming. They never set out to become celebrities; their success grew from friendship, community and a love of traditional songs. Members of the real band also appear in the film, adding an extra layer of authenticity.
The film became a major UK hit and helped introduce Port Isaac to an even wider audience. Suddenly, viewers who had never visited this corner of North Cornwall were curious about the harbour, the pubs and the winding streets that had become part of the story.
Walking through the film locations
One of the joys of visiting Port Isaac is recognising the locations that appeared in the films. The harbour and Platt appear throughout, as do the narrow lanes and buildings climbing away from the water. The Golden Lion, the village pub where the singers spent many evenings, is another familiar location.
Nearby Port Gaverne also features, including the dramatic coastline used for a rescue sequence. An easy walk from Port Isaac, it makes a rewarding addition to a coastal day out. The cove is also a National Trust site, making this a beautiful place for a coastal walk.
St Kew provides another memorable location. The beautiful church of St James the Great was used for filming, and the group has also recorded music there. Its quiet rural setting is a distinct contrast to the harbour.
A sequel film, Fisherman’s Friends: One and All, followed in 2022. Again, Port Isaac features heavily, while the story explores the pressures of fame as the band adjusts to life in the spotlight.
What are Fisherman’s Friends doing now?
The story certainly didn’t end with the films. Fisherman’s Friends continue to tour and perform around the country, bringing their distinctive sound to audiences well beyond Cornwall. Their live shows combine powerful voices, humour, friendship and traditional songs.
They have also deepened their connection with Cornwall through the Fisherman’s Friends Festival, bringing their own celebration of music and local culture to a larger local setting. The first festival sold out, and the event is continuing to underline how strong the bond between the band and their home county remains.
If you wish to see them in Cornwall, check their official live listings and local venue programmes, rather than hoping to catch an impromptu harbour performance. The band says impromptu gigs became impractical when crowds grew to thousands, although lucky visitors may still encounter an unadvertised singalong.
Hear Port Isaac for yourself
Perhaps the real appeal of Fisherman’s Friends is that their story is about more than fame; it captures the spirit of the place they call home.
Port Isaac remains a village where music, community and the sea are closely intertwined. Whether you’re visiting because of the films, the music, or simply to experience the character of this North Cornwall village, there is plenty to discover both here and along the surrounding coast. Then, when you return from a day beside the sea, put on Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends or one of their other albums and listen to the magical sounds for yourself.