Film & TV series based in Cornwall

Perhaps the first group to put the evocative landscape and culture of Cornwall on the map were the artists who came to the region in Victorian times.

Their paintings of maritime life took a deep hold in our imagination and you can clearly see the connection between those paintings and some scenes from Walt Disney’s Treasure Island.

Filmed in 1950, Treasure Island was Disney’s first colour movie and it was partially shot in Cornwall to give that authentic feeling of the Atlantic coastline where real pirates had roamed 200 years before!

The film was a spectacular success and ever since Cornwall has played a central role in many much loved films and TV series.

These days, film crews flock to Cornwall thanks to its distinct and stunning landscape, as well as the unique stories this part of the world has to tell.

Watch clips of Cornwall in Treasure Island
Disney's Treasure Island

Poldark - BBC TV series

Of course, no list of Cornwall’s TV hits would be complete without including Poldark.

Set in the late 18th century, this swashbuckling, historical novel was written by Winston Graham who lived in Cornwall for many years.

It has actually been dramatised by the BBC twice and was equally popular each time it was shown on TV, first in the 1970s and more recently in 2015.

The story follows Ross Poldark, a war hero returning home from the American Revolution, only to find his father dead and the family estate in ruins. As he works to rebuild his life, he faces corrupt landowners, social unrest, and a tangled web of personal drama.

Poldark explores romance and rebellion alongside the social and political struggles of the time. And even if you’re not into historical dramas, the sweeping shots of Cornwall’s coastline are a sight to behold.

Watch some Poldark here
Poldark, Series 1 poster

The Salt Path - wonderful book adaptation

Moving forward to one of Cornwall’s most recent movie releases: The Salt Path.

Starring the brilliant Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, the film follows the true story of Raynor, and her husband Moth, as they decide to walk the South West Coast Path.

And it’s no leisurely stroll.

With their lives turned upside down by financial ruin and a devastating medical diagnosis, the pair set off on this epic 600 mile trek with nothing but a tent, a couple of backpacks, and each other.

For fans of the book or those who love an emotionally rich adventure, The Salt Path is a must-watch. The Salt Path scandal is also worth a read, but only after you have read the book 😉

Watch The Salt Path trailer
Salt Path trailer link.

Bait - powerful arthouse cinema

For a more nuanced look at the issues facing modern Cornwall, Bait is a powerful and award-winning piece of independent cinema.

Filmed in Charlestown and released in 2019, Bait examines the impact of holiday homes, short-term letting and dwindling fish stocks.

The compelling, enraged performance of Cornish actor Edward Rowe drives the visually striking film (entirely shot on a hand-cranked vintage camera in black and white).

Rowe first found fame as a Cornish comedian, performing under the name Kernow King, but has since been catapulted into dramatic roles in big-budget series like The Game of Thrones spin-off The House of Dragons (read on below!)

Charlestown harbour

For those who love a bit of independent cinema, we have a few more Cornish gems for you…

House of Dragons - Blockbuster TV series

In terms of blockbuster productions, it doesn’t get much bigger than HBO’s House of Dragons series.

St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most iconic spots, and also one of our favourite excursion destinations! Not only is it an ancient castle, steeped in history, but it also serves as High Tide castle on the island of Driftmark in House of Dragons.

Cornwall shines in several coastal scenes of the show, with stunning spots like Kynance Cove and Holywell Beach serving as filming locations. These scenic spots are also favorite stops on our coastal walks and watersports outings!

Beautiful view of Kynance Cove

Find out more about our coast walks here
House of Dragon at St Michael's Mount

Doc Martin - light-hearted TV drama

Alternatively, if you’re looking to dip into the quirky charm of Cornish village life, TV comedy-drama Doc Martin is the perfect watch.

Centered around Dr. Martin Ellingham (played brilliantly by Martin Clunes), the show captures the clash between the doctor’s no-nonsense, often grumpy demeanor and the eccentric, lovable characters who inhabit the fictional village of Portwenn.

Whilst Portwenn is fictional, the filming location is the very real Cornish village of Port Isaac. Fans flock from all over the world to see this quaint spot in person. You can grab a pint in the Golden Lion Pub (featured in the series as the Crab & Lobster), or even visit Doc Martin’s home and surgery, Fern Cottage.

With its offbeat plotlines and hilarious hijinks, Doc Martin really illustrates the warm hearts and welcoming character of Cornwall and its people.

Learn more about Doc Martin's filming locations
The scenic harbour of Port Isaac.

Fisherman's Friends - feel-good movie

Amazingly there is more than one world-famous export from the tiny fishing village of Port Issac!

As well as Doc Martin, there are the Fisherman’s Friends!

This feel-good movie tells the true story of how a small Cornish Sea Shanty group from Port Isaac rose to fame and led a resurgence in this important tradition of folk music.

During a summer holiday, a music producer from London stumbles across a group of rough and ready fisherman with a unique talent for performing sea shanties. The film shows the budding friendship that develops between the city-slicker and his Cornish counterparts as they work their way towards securing a record deal.

While it’s full of funny moments, Fisherman’s Friends also casts a light on the strong community bonds within Cornwall’s small villages and its powerful maritime and musical history.

Rick Stein's Cornwall - Delicious local food on TV

Rick Stein has been one of the UK’s most beloved TV chefs for decades, with countless cookbooks and shows under his belt.

He’s known for his laid-back charm, love of fresh local ingredients, and recipes that are easy to recreate at home. He has also owned a restaurant (in fact it started as a nightclub) and has lived in Padstow since the 1970s.

In Rick Stein’s Cornwall, he takes us on a foodie adventure across the county, meeting local winemakers, cheesemongers, and fishermen. But it’s not just about the food. He dives into Cornwall’s rich history of art, mining, and legends, making it a true love letter to the region.

Love Rick’s shows? You might love his restaurants too. He’s got five in Cornwall alone! If you join us for our Camel Trail excursion, you will have a chance to visit his famous fish & chip shop.

Watch a clip of Rick in Padstow here
Padstow Harbour. Credit: Matt Jessop

Rosamunde Pilcher in Germany

Rosamunde-Pilcher

And finally… one of Cornwall’s most successful TV series is not ever broadcast in the UK or in English!

In Germany, the books of Rosamunde Pilcher have become hugely popular as part of ongoing TV dramatisations shown on German TV.

One of her most famous books was The Shell Seekers. First adapted in the 1980s with film & TV star Angela Lansbury, The Shell Seekers is a poignant and gentle film of a woman reflecting upon her life now that her children have reached adulthood.

In more recent years, The Shell Seekers, and many other books by Rosamunde Pilcher, have been adapted by German TV broadcaster, ZDF, and are shown weekly on German TV.

We love bringing these stories and locations to life on our language experience programmes.

Find out more about our Language Experience programmes

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A Cornish Christmas movie

Well we couldn’t leave you without a Christmas movie!

If you are looking for a Christmas film with a connection to Cornwall, look no further than Arthur Christmas by the excellent team at Aardman Animation (famous for Wallace & Gromit & Shaun the Sheep).

Check out the trailer for this wonderfully festive (and very British) feature.

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