Have you ever watched a film and thought I recognise that place? Well you might be right, because many famous Hollywood Movies were shot in the stunning region of Cornwall. Offering a plethora of activities many of which are completely free. Whether it is visiting famous film locations or simply taking the children for a day on the beach, the South West has something for you.
Most people do not realise just quite how popular Cornwall is as a location for many top films. Its unique scenery has attracted classic pirate films such as Treasure Island as well as modern day comedies such as Jonny English. The hit comedy was partly filmed on St Michaels Mount, which is just down the coast from Mullion Cove. St Michael’s Mount is a small rocky island featuring a mediaeval church and castle. You can visit the island by boat or, when the tide is out, walk across the rocky causeway. Famous for being a place of prayer, not many will know that it was on this mount that the first beacon was lit in 1588 to warn of the arrival of the Spanish Armada.
Those who appreciate a classic war film will be delighted to hear that Where Eagles Dare had a number of filming locations in Cornwall. The ‘Bell and Dragon’ pub served as the Piers House Hotel with the rest of the town portraying occupied Alderney. Charlestown Harbour has also recently featured in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.
Those of you who love the British spy hero franchise James Bond will be thrilled to know that a large portion of Die Another Day was filmed in Holywell Bay and at the Eden Project, which are both just a short drive away from Piran Meadows. The Eden Project hosts our beloved British hero infiltrating Gustav Graves’ (Toby Stephens) high security lair.
His daring abseiling entrance into the centre of the Eden Project emphasises that it is the perfect location for a high-tech villain’s hideout.
Port Isaac hosted Martin Clunes’ film Saving Grace, which set the scene for his later TV series Doc Martin, which is also filmed in Port Isaac and continues to be filmed around Cornwall. The Bay Hotel features heavily in the recent 4th series as Wenn House.
The BBC’s new Drama Poldark is based entirely in Cornwall. Charlestown Harbour is the perfect location for hosting the Tall Ships of Poldark whilst Church Cove Beach on the Lizard Peninsula provided the setting for one of Poldark’s most dramatic scenes. This weather beaten coastline outlines the sheer beauty of Cornwall’s natural wonders.