🎬 Films & TV Series Filmed in Cornwall: A Complete Guide

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most visually striking filming locations, regularly used by major film studios and television productions. Its rugged coastline, historic fishing villages, moorland landscapes, and natural coastal light make it ideal for everything from period dramas to modern thrillers.

This guide explores some of the most well-known films and TV series filmed across Cornwall.

📺 TV Series Filmed in Cornwall

Poldark
One of the most famous Cornwall-based dramas, Poldark showcases some of the county’s most dramatic scenery:
Botallack Mine (Tin Coast) – iconic cliffside mining remains
Charlestown Harbour – historic harbour scenes
Kynance Cove – dramatic coastal backdrops
Bodmin Moor – rugged inland landscapes

Doc Martin
Filmed almost entirely in Port Isaac, known on screen as Portwenn:
Narrow streets used throughout the series
Harbour and surrounding coastline featured heavily
Real village buildings form key locations

Beyond Paradise
Spin-off from Death in Paradise, filmed in:
Looe (fictional Shipton Abbott)
South East Cornwall coastline
Local beaches and estuary areas

Wycliffe
This detective series made extensive use of Cornish locations across the county. It was based on novels by W.J. Burley, a Falmouth-born author who later lived in Holywell. The series reflects Cornwall’s coastal towns and communities.

Wild West
A dark comedy starring Dawn French and Catherine Tate, filmed largely in Portloe, portraying eccentric life in a close-knit Cornish village.

🎬 Films Filmed in Cornwall

Jamaica Inn (1939)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier:
Filmed on Bodmin Moor
Used for its remote, atmospheric landscapes

Die Another Day (2002)
James Bond film featuring Cornwall locations:
Eden Project – futuristic interior-style scenes
Holywell Bay – coastal action sequences

Saving Grace (2002)
A British comedy film starring Brenda Blethyn, filmed in Port Isaac:
Coastal village setting used throughout the story
Highlights the charm and character of a small Cornish community
Port Isaac’s harbour and winding streets feature prominently

28 Days Later (2002)
Selected rural and coastal Cornwall locations were used to create an isolated, atmospheric setting for this post-apocalyptic thriller. Filming took place around:
Carland Cross Wind Farm – used for its stark, desolate landscape
Nearby A30 road (near Mitchell) – featured in key travelling sequences

Johnny English (2003)
Spy comedy starring Rowan Atkinson:
St Michael’s Mount – used as a dramatic coastal backdrop

Ladies in Lavender (2004)
Set in 1936 but filmed in 2002, this drama highlights Cornwall’s softer coastal beauty. Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Miriam Margolyes, it was filmed in:
Cadgwith – traditional fishing village
Helston area – surrounding countryside settings
St Ives area – coastal and harbour scenes
Prussia Cove – secluded shoreline

Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton’s adaptation used Cornwall locations including:
Antony House (near Saltash) – estate interiors and gardens

About Time (2013)
Romantic drama filmed across Cornwall:
Portloe – picturesque fishing village
Gorran Haven – beach scenes
Charlestown Harbour – historic coastal setting

World War Z (2013)
Although a global production, World War Z included filming in Cornwall:
Falmouth, Cornwall – used for UN control room scenes and sequences involving the aircraft carrier (RFA Argus)
Provided a realistic naval and operational backdrop using Cornwall’s maritime setting

🌊 Why Cornwall Is a Popular Filming Location

Cornwall continues to attract major productions because of:

• Dramatic cliffs, coves, and beaches
• Historic harbours and fishing villages
• Diverse landscapes within a small area
• Strong natural coastal lighting
• Ability to represent both historical and modern settings

🎥 Final Thoughts

Cornwall’s landscapes have helped shape countless films and television series, often becoming as memorable as the stories themselves. From rugged coastlines to historic villages, the county remains one of the UK’s most distinctive and cinematic filming locations.