With its spectacular coast, mood-setting moors, and fantastical landmarks, it’s little wonder that Cornwall has enjoyed more than its fair share of screen time over the years. Oh yes, whether it’s Cornish beaches offering a dramatic backdrop for some soulful wave-watching or a Bond-worthy infiltration of a famous landmark, Cornwall is home to some seriously impressive filming locations.
Whether you want to tour your favourite films or you fancy staking out a Cornish beach in the hopes of a Hollywood spotting, these famous filming locations in Cornwall are sure to turn your next holiday into an Oscar-worthy memory.
Harry Potter
Kicking our list of filming locations in Cornwall off with something new, the UK’s most southerly point has been abuzz with sightings of everyone’s favourite headmaster, Dumbledore. Spotted at Kynance Cove and Cadgwith, it looks like the Lizard Peninsula will be enjoying another starring role on the small screen as the new Harry Potter television series begins filming in the UK - prompting fans everywhere to utter the words “Yerr on the Lizard, Harry” on repeat.
The Harry Potter films have borrowed settings from all over the UK, from Pembrokeshire’s beaches to Scotland’s striking glens, so it’s amazing to see this wonderful world visit Cornwall for the newest reimagining - it is pretty magical after all.
Poldark
The beloved Poldark books have seen multiple onscreen adaptations, but it’s the most recent BBC series that took the world by storm, placing Cornwall firmly on the map for screen junkies and book lovers alike. Aiden Turner might have taken on the role of Ross Poldark, but it was Cornwall’s wild coastlines and heritage landmarks that stole the show for many, with multiple filming locations across Cornwall causing quite the stir.
Charlestown, with its historic harbour and incredible tall ships, was used throughout the series, while beaches such as Church Cove, Porthgwarra, Porthcurno, and Holywell Bay gave many a sudden urge to surround themselves with the Cornish coast. If you want to combine a spot of history with your Poldark tour, head to some of Cornwall’s unique buildings. From the famous engine house at St Agnes to Botallack’s richly peppered cliffs, these historic haunts made the perfect filming location for the BBC’s striking adaptation of Poldark.
The Salt Path
A Hollywood adaptation of the best-selling memoir by Raynor Winn, The Salt Path became a mesmerising success in the spring of 2025. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, the heartfelt film followed the couple as they traversed the South West Coast Path, meeting locals and rediscovering themselves as they went.
Naturally, with such a focus on the coast, a number of Cornwall’s beautiful beaches and towns featured in the film, including Padstow, Newquay, Holywell Bay, and the sweeping sands at Rame Head in South Cornwall. The South West Coast Path traces Cornwall’s coastline for 300 miles, giving you plenty of opportunities to follow in the footsteps of Moth and Raynor, pausing to soak up the views as you go.
House of the Dragon
With Game of Thrones such a success, it was hugely exciting to have the famous prequel, House of the Dragon, filmed in Cornwall - after all, it’s not often you get to see a dragon perched on Cornish cliffs!
The action-packed series chose several coastal locations in Cornwall to set up shop for a scene or two, including the dramatic cliffs at Kynance Cove and the sandy shores and caves around Holywell Bay. Both locations feature iconic rock formations, making them easily recognisable to anyone familiar with Cornwall’s breathtaking coastline.
Fisherman’s Friends
Port Isaac captivated audiences once more in the musical biopic of Cornwall’s famous singing group, the Fisherman’s Friends. Given that the group is originally from Port Isaac, it was a natural choice when filming the adaptation for the big screen. The village’s famous harbour, known locally as ‘The Platt’, takes centre stage - quite literally, as it is often used as a stage by the group - with the village’s Golden Lion pub making an appearance or two as well.
Nearby Port Gaverne is featured throughout the Fishermen’s Friends film, including a dramatic rescue and clifftop strolls, while the quaint village of St Kew lends its beautiful church to the film’s Cornish lookbook as well as the soundtrack, with several songs recorded in the ambient space.
Beyond Paradise
Swapping the golden shores of the Caribbean for the, well, golden shores of Cornwall, the BBC’s popular drama, Beyond Paradise, is another sign you need to visit the Duchy. While set in Devon, much of the series is filmed in Cornwall, with the picturesque harbour at Looe playing a leading role. Home to azure waters, a sandy beach, and a mouthwatering selection of seafood restaurants, we can see why Looe posed the perfect backdrop.
Other scenes can be spotted in Calstock and Fowey, while the Pentille Estate in Saltash makes an appearance as the home of Humphrey.
Doc Martin
Perhaps one of the most famous series to be filmed in Cornwall, Doc Martin has become synonymous with the pretty village of Port Isaac. Filmed between 2004 and 2022, the charming village of Port Isaac became the fictional home of Doctor Martin Ellingham, Portwenn, with the village’s narrow streets and beautiful harbour providing the perfect backdrop to this beloved dramedy.
Other nearby filming locations include the breathtaking cliffs around Port Gaverne and Doyden Castle, which made full use of the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters that Cornwall is famous for. A little further afield, Bodmin hosted multiple moments across the series, with Pencarrow House playing many roles and Bodmin Parkway Station acting the role of a Cornish station perfectly.
James Bond
Did you know that 007 has been to Cornwall? Oh yes, Pierce Brosnan visited the Duchy while filming 2002’s hit Bond instalment, Die Another Day. Holywell Bay’s sprawling sandy beach opened the film, posing as a North Korean beach that James Bond infiltrates via surfboard (a Cornish way to travel if ever there was one).
Later in the film, 007 visits one of Cornwall’s most iconic landmarks as you see him slowly lower himself into the Eden Project’s rainforest biome, which surprisingly played the role of an ice palace. Another super spy to make the most of Cornwall’s fascinating buildings, Rowan Atkinson visits St Michael’s Mount in the hit comedy, Johnny English, where it stands in for a French Castle.
Daphne du Maurier
It wouldn’t be a guide to filming locations in Cornwall without mentioning a Daphne du Maurier adaptation or two. Famed for her Cornish settings, there are many scene-setting spots to explore during your next visit to Cornwall. Bodmin’s Jamaica Inn was used in many film adaptations, as well as the inspiration for the novel itself. Not only is the historic coaching inn said to be haunted, but it serves delicious food and refreshing ales, making it a great place to visit whether you’re hunting ghosts or a hearty feed.
Other filming locations for Daphne du Maurier’s works include Church Cove for 2020’s Rebecca, the Helford River for Frenchman’s Creek, and Port Quin and Polzeath in 1982’s tense adaptation of Jamaica Inn.
The Shell Seekers
Another author to draw inspiration from Cornwall’s captivating coastline, Rosamund Pilcher has crafted many literary works set south of the Tamar. One of the most well-known adaptations of her books was the 1989 film, The Shell Seekers, starring Angela Lansbury.
Marazion and the iconic visage of St Michael’s Mount are a prominent location for the film, with the drama of Land’s End and the beauty of Lamorna Cove highlighting West Cornwall’s endless supply of spectacular scenery. To this day, you can still see adaptations of Rosamund Pilcher’s works being filmed around Cornwall, with the German show, Rosamund Pilcher, returning to the Cornish coast year after year.
Playing Nice
Kicking 2025 off with a gripping series that had viewers everywhere on the edge of their seats, ITV’s drama Playing Nice used Cornwall’s dramatic seascapes to maximum effect. Mevagissey played a starring role in the series, with the pretty harbourside village and surrounding coastline featuring in many scenes and cutscenes, while surfing hotspot Mawgan Porth played the role of home for the show’s leading protagonists.
Enjoying a complete tour of Cornwall’s top attractions, Playing Nice also features the Tate St Ives, Jubilee Pool, and Watergate Bay’s sea-view restaurant Zacry’s, not to mention Bedruthan Steps plays a major role in one of the show’s climactic scenes.
Summer in February
Based on a true story, Summer in February follows the story of an Edwardian artists’ colony in West Cornwall. The film capitalises on Penwith’s undulating beauty, with filming locations at two of the most beautiful coves in Cornwall, Prussia and Lamorna.
The film also features the storybook harbour at Mousehole and the rugged seascapes around Porthcurno, not to mention Hollywood’s favourite beach location, Holywell Bay. The film is a fantastic reminder of Cornwall’s important role in several art movements, with the county’s famously clear air and spectacular landscapes drawing painters from all over the world. Why not pop into one of Cornwall’s many art galleries while you’re here to really experience the creative side of the county?
Honourable mentions
About Time - This Richard Curtis romcom featured several filming locations in South Cornwall, including Charlestown, Vault Beach, and Portloe.
Alice in Wonderland - Tim Burton’s wacky remake also chose South Cornwall as the base for the film’s start, with Charlestown and Antony House making the perfect backdrop for Alice’s pre-wonderland adventure.
The Witches - If you’re after a spooky set, visit the Headland Hotel in Newquay, which hosted a coven of witches in the 1990 adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel of the same name.
Pirates of the Caribbean - These swashbuckling favourites filmed in multiple locations around Cornwall, with the first film shooting scenes in Charlestown and On Stranger Tides heading to the beautiful coastal hotspot, St Ives.
World War Z - Cornwall is no stranger to zombies, with Brad Pitt’s Hollywood adaptation of World War Z filming scenes in Falmouth Bay and the original 28 Days Later shooting around Carland Cross Wind Farm.
Ladies in Lavender - A film featuring acting superstars Maggie Smith and Dame Judy Dench, Ladies in Lavender toured Cornwall for its scenes, including Helston’s historic Cross Street, Cadgwith’s fishing cottages, Prussia Cove’s tranquil cottages, and St Ives’ serene coastline.
Fancy touring Cornwall’s epic filming locations? Explore our beautiful cottages - many of which sit within filming hotspots - and start planning a holiday worthy of the big screen.
Tags: Charlestown | Cornwall | Eden Project | Falmouth | Helford River | Helston | Mousehole | North Cornwall | Port Isaac | South Cornwall | South West Coast Path | St Ives | The Lizard | West Cornwall | Film | Bedruthan Steps | Cadgwith |