DEVON AND CORNWALL: LEGENDARY FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
Devon and Cornwall: LEGENDARY LOCATIONS FOR FILM and Video Production
“I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming 'War Horse' on Dartmoor.”
- Steven Spielberg
As a Westcountry lad born and bred, I know I’m slightly biased. However the South West of England, with its stunning landscapes, rich heritage, and historic charm, has long been a favourite destination for filmmakers and video producers. And with good reason.
From indie films, commercial video productions and Instagram influencers, to the biggest of big budget Hollywood productions and everything else in between, Devon and Cornwall have hosted a remarkable range of projects spanning many decades, cementing the Westcountry’s reputation as a go to destination for visual storytelling.
But what makes these counties, on the (predominantly rural) far South West peninsula of Great Britain, so popular in the film and video production industry?
Diverse and Stunning Landscapes
Devon and Cornwall, as well as Dorset and Somerset offer a treasure trove of natural beauty that quite simply, look incredible on camera.
The rugged cliffs of West Cornwall and North Devon evoke drama and mystery. Meanwhile, vast sandy beaches like those at Woolacombe and Saunton Sands are perfect for wide sweeping coastal landscapes.
A very recent example is HBO’s critically acclaimed series, House of The Dragon. St Michael’s Mount in West Cornwall was the location used for ‘Driftmark’, seat of House Velaryon. They also used Holywell Bay for the scene where Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen take a nighttime walk across the beach, and the North Devon coast was used quite extensively in the series also.
But it’s not all about the coast. Both counties boast picturesque countryside and moorland, dotted with quintessential English villages, thatched cottages, ancient bridges, and historic churches. Dartmoor National Park in Devon provides a hauntingly beautiful backdrop, famously featured in films like War Horse (2011) and The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939).
And then there’s urban settings. The South West isn’t particularly well known for its sprawling urban landscapes. Far from it. However, Plymouth and Exeter in Devon, as well as Truro in Cornwall, are small historic cities that provide urban settings to contrast beautifully with the surrounding natural scenery. The naval base in Devonport, Plymouth has been used in many productions, such as the Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies.
A Rich Heritage for Period Dramas
Devon and Cornwall’s wealth of historical sites make them prime locations for period dramas. From grand country estates like Knightshayes Court in Devon to the medieval ruins of Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, these locations bring history to life on screen. Productions such as Poldark have used Cornwall’s tin mines, historic villages and bleak moorland to authentically depict 18th Century life in England.
Lower Costs Compared to London
While many larger productions traditionally base themselves in London or nearby across the South East, the associated costs in those areas can be prohibitive, particularly for smaller or independent productions. In contrast, Devon and Cornwall offer significant cost advantages:
Affordable Locations: Filming permits, location fees, and accommodation in the South West are often more budget friendly than in London and surrounding areas. Put simply, a landowner in Cornwall is unlikely to demand the same price as one in the South East.
Lower Overheads: The cost of living and doing business in the South West is generally lower, which translates to reduced expenses for everything from catering and heavy machinery to equipment rentals.
Accessible Yet Affordable: While Devon and Cornwall are a few hours from London, they are well connected by rail and road, making them a practical yet cost effective alternative for productions looking to squeeze as much as possible out of budgets, without sacrificing production value.
These factors make the South West particularly attractive to commercial video producers and independent filmmakers, who can allocate more of their budget to creative elements rather than logistical expenses.
A Hub for Commercial Video Production
The South West’s versatility extends well beyond big budget movies and TV Series. In commercial video production, the Westcountry has a lot to offer brands looking to capture the essence of authenticity and charm.
Natural Backdrops for Lifestyle Brands: With its breathtaking seascapes, tranquil countryside, and vibrant towns, Devon and Cornwall are ideal for creating visually compelling content for tourism, adventure gear, or wellness products, for example.
Supportive Business Ecosystem: The region is home to a thriving network of independent businesses and artisan producers, offering opportunities for brand collaborations and commercial storytelling. From bespoke surf shops in Newquay to family owned distilleries on Dartmoor, not to mention the countless farms that have been in families for generations, these businesses not only bring unique narratives to life but also embody the spirit of authenticity that resonates so heavily with modern audiences.
Experienced Local Talent and Resources
Many production houses have chosen to base themselves in or near London, and understandably so, as it has always been a global hub for film and cinema. Over the years however, Devon and Cornwall have developed a growing pool of skilled production crews, actors, and extras. Local businesses and councils have become well versed in supporting and accommodating large productions. It always creates quite a stir locally, when Steven Spielberg or Tom Cruise rock up to your local!
Hollywood Spotlight
Big budget productions have put Devon and Cornwall on the global cinematic map numerous times. For example:
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides featured scenes filmed in St Ives and off the Cornish coast.
Sense and Sensibility showcased Devon’s picturesque Saltram House and other locations.
War Horse famously captured the wild beauty of Dartmoor.
These high profile projects not only highlight the region’s cinematic potential but also inspire other filmmakers and brands to explore its many gems. More on this below!
A Creative Haven
Beyond the natural assets, Devon and Cornwall have a thriving creative scene. Local film festivals, such as the Two Short Nights Film Festival in Exeter and the Cornwall Film Festival, celebrate emerging talent and inspire new projects. The supportive community of artists, writers, and filmmakers in the region fosters collaboration and innovation.
The South West has long been a hub for artists too. My own Great Aunt, the sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth set herself up in St Ives in West Cornwall, as did her husband, the artist Ben Nicholson. Cornwall was the place Barbara lived out the rest of her life, simply because she loved it. The land and sea were significant sources of artistic inspiration for her, for many years. She famously believed that there was no place on Earth like Cornwall, for the quality and abundance of natural light - something I myself completely agree with!
The Rowe Films Perspective
Tommy under the Milky Way, Dartmoor National Park, Devon. Photography by Alex Toze
Devon and Cornwall’s enduring appeal to filmmakers and video producers lies in their ability to offer diverse, awe inspiring settings that suit a wide range of storytelling needs. Whether you’re creating a sweeping historical epic, a poignant indie drama, or a high-end commercial, the Westcountry delivers on every level.
With lower production costs compared to London and the South East, the South West provides a compelling alternative for filmmakers and video producers who want to achieve high production value without breaking the bank. Coupled with its vibrant community of independent businesses, thriving creative scene, and stunning locations, Devon and Cornwall truly stand out as locations for film and video production.
As a filmmaker and commercial video producer myself, originally from Cornwall and now based in Devon, I honestly couldn’t imagine living or operating from anywhere else. From my base here in Exeter, I am 20 minutes from beautiful coastline, lush forests, and bleak moorland on Dartmoor. I’m a couple of hours from my roots in West Cornwall, and yet only 2-3 hours from the production hub and capital city of London. I consider myself truly blessed to have so much opportunity, literally all around me. The Westcountry is my home, and I honestly can’t imagine that ever changing.
Check out this short documentary film about Kernow (Cornwall) that we produced (some time ago now!) for PANASONIC LUMIX. This was a very personal piece for me, where I try to explain, in short form, what it is that makes my home county of Cornwall so incredibly special:
For more information on filming in Devon and Cornwall, get in touch with Rowe Films. We’d be more than happy to use our extensive local knowledge to point you in the direction of the best spots for shooting epic scenes, advise on logistics, or recommend local suppliers to assist you with all your production needs.
For those that might be interested to read on, here is a further list of well known productions that chose locations in Devon and Cornwall:
Poldark
Poldark is a popular British TV drama series set in the 18th century that follows the story of Ross Poldark, a British soldier who returns home to Cornwall after the American War of Independence. The show features stunning coastal and countryside locations in Cornwall, such as the iconic Wheal Coates mine and the rugged cliffs of the north coast.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a movie adaptation of the best selling novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The film is set in the Channel Islands during World War II, but features locations in Devon, including the famous fishing port of Brixham.
Fisherman's Friends
Fisherman's Friends is a British comedy drama film based on the true story of a group of Cornish fishermen who became a successful shanty group. The film features coastal locations and historic ports in Cornwall, such as Port Isaac and Portloe.
War Horse
To date, one of the biggest productions to base itself in the South West of England. War Horse is a war drama film based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo. The film features locations across Dartmoor, a national park in Devon, including the historic village of Dousland and the rugged landscape of the moors. Here is a quick video I uploaded to Youtube, when myself and some fellow creatives visited the ‘War Horse House’ on Dartmoor:
The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass is a fantasy adventure film based on the novel by Philip Pullman, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. The film features locations in Cornwall, including the picturesque village of Charlestown and the coastline of the south coast.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is a fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton and based on the novel by Lewis Carroll. The film features locations in Cornwall, including Antony House near Torpoint, a stately home that dates back to the 18th century.
House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is an American television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. A prequel to the critically acclaimed Game of Thrones series, it follows on from what I believe to be one of the most epic programmes to ever grace television screens. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for!? The series features several locations in both Cornwall and Devon, including the historic St Michael's Mount, Holywell Bay, and the highly Instagrammable Kynance Cove. They also used the clifftops around Hartland Point in North Devon for a few key scenes.
Robbie Williams ‘Angels’ music video
A classic British banger that will get any party singing their hearts out! In 2005, Saunton Sands was used as the filming location for the ‘Angels’ music video. The video features stunning shots of the beach and surrounding sand dunes. Most of it was filmed from a helicopter, as they didn’t have the luxury of the small drones we have these days! Saunton Sands has always been a personal favourite location of mine and I have shot there many times. Here’s a music video we produced at Saunton. It was the perfect location for the epic, sweeping shots of our lead talent running with a distress flare. Some of my personal favourite shots that I’ve ever captured to date:
World War Z
The aircraft carrier scenes were filmed in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, although this is one example where it was likely for logistical reasons, rather than the region’s landscape.
Edge Of Tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow is a 2014 American science fiction action film directed by Doug Liman and stars Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Saunton Sands was used as a filming location for some of the beach scenes in the film, including the memorable scene where the characters land on a beach and engage in a fierce battle with aliens. Once again, the beach's wide expanse of sand dunes and epic scenery were used to create a visually striking and intense battle scene.
Tomorrow Never Dies
Tomorrow Never Dies is a 1997 Bond film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and stars Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. The film features several filming locations in Devon and Cornwall, including:
Hartland Abbey, Devon - The interior and exterior of this stately home were used as the setting for Elliot Carver's media party.
The Round Room at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter - This Victorian room was used as the setting for a meeting between Bond and his allies.
Bovington Camp, Devon - This military training facility was used as the location for a car chase scene involving Bond's BMW.
Cawsand, Cornwall - The coastal village was used as the setting for a scene where Bond arrives by boat to meet his contact.
28 Days Later
28 Days Later is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and stars Cillian Murphy. It’s Saunton Sands, once again! Saunton was used in the scene where Jim (played by Murphy) walks along the deserted beach after waking up from a coma to find that the world has been overrun by pretty angry zombies. The beach's vast, open landscape was used to great effect in the film, conveying a sense of desolation and isolation in the aftermath of a catastrophic event. Now, who’s ready for the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later in 2025!?
Apocalypto
Apocalypto is a 2006 American adventure film directed by Mel Gibson. Polgaver beach, located near Fowey in Cornwall, was used as a filming location. In one scene, the character Jaguar Paw, played by Rudy Youngblood, emerges from a river onto Polgaver beach, pursued by his captors. The beach's rugged terrain and wild beauty were used to great effect in the film, conveying a sense of danger and desperation as the characters struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment. Quite remarkable really that Cornwall was able to effectively stand in for a South American beach during Mayan times. Just goes to show how versatile Westcountry locations can be!
Die Another Day
Die Another Day is a 2002 Bond film directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. The film features several filming locations in Devon and Cornwall, including:
The Eden Project, Cornwall - The iconic biomes at this attraction were used as the location for the ice palace owned by the villain Gustav Graves.
Holywell Bay, Cornwall - This stunning beach was used as the location for a scene where Bond meets with his ally Jinx Johnson, played by Halle Berry.
Millbrook Proving Ground, Devon - This automotive testing facility was used as the location for a car chase scene involving Bond's Aston Martin.
Falmouth, Cornwall - This picturesque coastal town was used as the setting for a scene where Bond and Jinx investigate a diamond mine.
There are probably many more examples of locations used by big productions in Devon and Conrwall over the years. I will keep adding to this list, as and when I find them!