Starring Great Britain

The hit BBC series Poldark transformed Cornwall into 18th-century Britain, and one of its most iconic backdrops is Charlestown Harbour, just a stone’s throw from Carlyon Bay. This beautifully preserved Georgian port stood in for Truro’s harbour in the series, with its tall ships and cobbled quays lending authenticity to Ross Poldark’s rugged world. Wander through Charlestown and you’ll feel as though you've stepped right onto the set.

One of Cornwall’s most recognisable screen appearances is in the long-running ITV series Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes as the grumpy yet brilliant Dr. Martin Ellingham. Filmed in the charming fishing village of Port Isaac, the show reimagines the town as “Portwenn.” With its narrow lanes, whitewashed cottages, and dramatic coastal views, Port Isaac has become a pilgrimage site for fans. Located about an hour’s drive from Carlyon Bay, it's perfect for a scenic day trip along the north Cornwall coast.

The BBC spin-off series Beyond Paradise, starring Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman (from Death in Paradise), brings a more relaxed, countryside feel to the classic detective drama format. Set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott, the show is filmed in and around Looe, a picturesque harbour town on the south coast of Cornwall. With its quaint streets, local market, and waterfront views, the area offers a perfect backdrop for the show's warm-hearted mysteries, and it's only around 45 minutes from Carlyon Bay.

Tim Burton was drawn to Cornwall for his adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (2010). The elegant Antony House near Torpoint was used as the setting for the garden party scenes, providing a stately and surreal backdrop for Alice’s encounters in the real world. Meanwhile, Charlestown Harbour was transformed for surreal seaside sequences, adding a whimsical twist to this already enchanting location. The blend of fantasy and historic charm made both Antony House and Charlestown perfect choices for Alice’s journey through the looking glass.

James Bond brought espionage to Cornwall in Die Another Day (2002), with scenes filmed at the futuristic Eden Project near St Austell. In the film, the Eden biomes doubled as a high-tech Icelandic greenhouse, a perfect setting for Bond’s icy encounter with villain Gustav Graves. The real Eden Project is just 15 minutes from Carlyon Bay and offers just as much intrigue and wonder in real life.

Brad Pitt’s zombie blockbuster World War Z filmed key scenes at Falmouth Docks in Cornwall. The docks stood in for a U.S. Navy vessel where Pitt’s character seeks refuge, with the RFA Argus and surrounding harbour transformed into a military setting. Filming also took place offshore in Falmouth Harbour, showcasing Cornwall’s versatility as a cinematic location.

House of the Dragon (2022), the Game of Thrones prequel, filmed dramatic scenes at Holywell Bay on Cornwall’s north coast. Its distinctive twin rock formations and wild surf made it an ideal backdrop for Targaryen clashes and royal intrigue. It’s just over an hour’s drive from Carlyon Bay and well worth a day trip for fantasy fans.

Charlestown also made an appearance in the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who. Its timeless architecture and vintage harbour feel lent themselves perfectly to episodes set in the past—or on distant, imagined worlds. It’s a testament to Charlestown’s versatility that it can so effortlessly double for any place, or time, in the universe.

Tim Burton’s gothic fantasy Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) found the perfect magical home at Caerhays Castle, located just a short drive down the coast from St Austell. The castle’s dramatic stone architecture and lush gardens provided the backdrop for the mysterious orphanage and its peculiar residents. With the sea close by, it’s one of Cornwall’s most visually striking film locations.

Charlestown Harbour’s atmospheric appearance made it an ideal setting for the gritty 19th-century drama Taboo (2017), starring Tom Hardy. The port’s weathered stone walls, moody lighting, and historic ships helped bring the dark world of James Delaney to life. Fans of the show will recognise several corners of Charlestown from the series' brooding, fog-drenched scenes.

Richard Curtis’s time-travelling romantic drama starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams used the south Cornish coast, including St Austell Bay and the picturesque fishing village of Portloe, to depict the family’s seaside home.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) featured scenes filmed in Cornwall, notably in St Ives. The town's gleaming sands and turquoise waters provided a stunning backdrop, standing in for the film's tropical settings. Additionally, Land's End, the most westerly point of mainland Cornwall, offered rugged coastal scenery that contributed to the film's dramatic landscapes.

28 Days Later (2002), directed by Danny Boyle, features Cornwall in its post-apocalyptic storyline. Key scenes were filmed at Carland Cross Wind Farm near Mitchell, where the eerie landscape of the wind turbines sets the tone for the film's chilling atmosphere. The Eden Project near St Austell also made an appearance as a refuge for survivors, showcasing Cornwall’s rugged beauty and diverse locations, making it a memorable part of this cult classic.

This heartfelt film starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith was filmed in Cadgwith, a small fishing village on the Lizard Peninsula. The surrounding countryside and coastal views added to the emotional and period feel of the film.

Netflix’s adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca featured multiple Cornish locations, including Gunwalloe Church Cove for the dramatic beach scenes. While some scenes were filmed outside Cornwall, it paid homage to du Maurier’s strong local ties.

This Disney classic was filmed partly in Cornwall, using Carrick Roads and the River Fal for its maritime scenes. As the first completely live-action film produced by Disney, it remains an important part of film history. Its Cornwall-based locations helped set the stage for countless future pirate and seafaring films.

This psychological thriller directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Dustin Hoffman was filmed in St Buryan and Zennor, near Land’s End. Though controversial at the time, the film has since been critically reassessed and is now considered a classic. It was nominated for several international awards and is known for its gritty portrayal of rural tension, heightened by Cornwall’s harsh and haunting landscape.

This romantic period drama, starring Dan Stevens, Dominic Cooper and Emily Browning, tells the true story of artist Sir Alfred Munnings and the Lamorna artists' colony. Filmed in Lamorna Cove and Newlyn, where the real events took place, the film showcases Cornwall’s wild beauty and artistic heritage. These coastal locations, central to the historic Newlyn School of Art, provide a scenic glimpse into the world of early 20th-century creatives and remain perfect for a cultural day trip from Carlyon Bay.

Roald Dahl’s dark fantasy The Witches, starring Anjelica Huston, was partly filmed in Cornwall, with the iconic Headland Hotel in Newquay serving as the grand seaside hotel where the witches hold their secret convention. Overlooking the dramatic Atlantic coastline, the hotel’s gothic architecture and windswept cliffs added eerie atmosphere to this cult classic. 

Jack Whitehall’s The Bad Education Movie brought Alfie Wickers and his class to Cornwall, with much of the filming taking place in the fishing village of Mevagissey, standing in as the fictional town of Port Jago. The film also features scenes shot at the Eden Project and Prideaux Place, with local groups like the Trigg Morris Men adding authentic Cornish flavour to the comedy.

Jeremy Lovering’s psychological horror In Fear was filmed across Cornwall, with much of the eerie atmosphere captured on Bodmin Moor, whose winding, isolated roads provided the perfect setting for the film’s escalating tension. During production, the cast and crew, stayed at the Carlyon Bay Hotel, offering a stark contrast between the film’s unsettling narrative and the hotel's luxurious comfort.

Wartime thriller The Eagle Has Landed, starring Michael Caine, filmed key scenes in Cornwall. Charlestown Harbour stood in for 'Occupied Alderney', with the Pier House Hotel doubling as the 'Bell and Dragon' pub. Additional scenes were shot at RAF St Mawgan, near Newquay, providing the setting for the film's airfield. The historic charm of these locations added authenticity to the film's dramatic wartime atmosphere.