Cornwall on film
Are you walking around Cornwall with a strong sense of déjà vu, wondering where you have seen all these breath-taking vistas before? It could well be because the film and TV industries have long used this stunning county as a location for some huge hits on both the big and not-so-big screens. You may be surprised whose footsteps you are treading in as you wander the clifftops, sup a pint in a pub or wander on a windswept beach. With constant rumours about what will be filmed in these parts next, you never know who you might meet out and about!
Whilst the list below is by no means complete, here are a few films and TV shows that have featured this amazing county and its cliffs, coves and covens.
House of the Dragon 2021
Filmed in Holywell Bay, St Michaels Mount, Kynance Cove
Cornwall was built for dragons, so it’s easy to see why this series filmed so many scenes here. The craggy coastline has been the backdrop to several seminal scenes, and rumour is that they will be back to film the next season soon….
Poldark, 2014
Filmed in Holywell Bay, Porthgwarra, Porthcurno, Park Head, Porthcothan Bay, St Agnes Head
Shirt-ripping, horse riding, side-eye giving swarthy stuff. The newer remake of this famous Cornish tale had viewers enthralled with Ross Poldark and his antics, whilst the swoon-worthy scenery offered a perfect setting for a spot of smouldering.
Doc Martin, 2004-2022
Filmed in Port Isaac, Bodmin Moor, St Nonnas Church, Altarnun, Doyden Castle, Port Quin
Grumpy doctor lands in Cornish fishing village and eventually wins over characterful locals. This hugely popular show ran for nine series, and had a huge impact on Port Isaac, where the majority of the filming took place. If you so wish, you can still book yourself on to a location tour, no actual doctors visit included.
Beyond Paradise, 2023-present day
Filmed in Looe, Saltash, Launceston
The spin off from Death in Paradise, dear old Humphrey continues to get himself in a series of scrapes in picturesque locations, but with a bit less murder. What a life!!
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, 2010
Filmed in St Ives
Imagine bumping into Johnny Depp while out buying some milk? Or, more likely, propping up the bar at The Sloop. We’ve always thought that Cornwall is a slightly chillier version of the Caribbean, so it made perfect sense to use the lovely St Ives to body-double those gorgeous beaches.
Die Another Day, 2002
Filmed at Holywell Bay, Eden Project
We all know that the Cornwall landscape is diverse, but for this Bond romp they really went to extremes! Whilst Holywell Bay became the scene of a battle on a Korean beach, the Eden Project was turned into an ice palace and diamond mine. Sadly, the famous opening sequence of Bond surfing massive waves had to be filmed elsewhere, as even the legendary Cornish surf wasn’t big enough for this job.
Fishermen’s Friends, 2019
Filmed in Port Isacc, St Kew, The Minack Theatre
Feel-good flick based on the real-life sea-shanty singing lads from Port Isacc. Couldn’t really be filmed anywhere else as this is where the action all took place!
Bait, 2019
Filmed at Charlestown, Sennen
Cornish boy Mark Jenkins critically acclaimed film is a visually distinctive tale of the juxtapositions of life in Cornwall, which has earnt the filmmaker huge recognition. Filmed using a vintage 16mm camera in a monochrome colour scheme, this is a funny yet poignant film which deals with contentious issues in a very human way.
A couple from the Vault……
Blue Juice, 1995
Filmed in St Ives, Newquay, Chapel Porth, Mousehole
Any 90’s kid worth their salt will remember this movie, the tale of a hapless chap who just can’t help but party and surf, all while his gorgeous girlfriend wants is to settle down. While the surfing scenes were filmed in warmer waters, Cornwall was the backdrop for the narrative, with the famous beach party scenes rumoured to have been filmed at the wild (and much missed) SAS Ball. IYKYK!
The Witches, 1990
Filmed at The Headland Hotel, Newquay
Still scares me now. You know the scene, it involves witches, mice and little boys…….Yikes. The Headland Hotel have a “Witch in Residence” at Halloween for anyone who really needs a good fright. Maybe take someone you are not that fond of!