SOME places in the UK are especially memorable thanks to television series that have been filmed there, particularly in the south of England.
The pretty village of Looe is famous for being the backdrop of Beyond Paradis and Port Isaac was used for years in Martin Clunes‘ series Doc Martin – now the Lizard peninsula is set to be big thanks to the HBO Harry Potter series.
Earlier in autumn, the coastal peninsula of Lizard became a magical backdrop as actor John Lithgow who plays Albus Dumbledore, was spotted filming there.
Thanks to its location, the area is expected to soar in popularity next year, following in the footsteps of many other television series.
The Lizard peninsula is the southernmost point of the British mainland and is mostly recognisable thanks to its incredible coastline.
One of the spots where Harry Potter has been filming is in Cadgwith Cove, a small fishing village.
The beach on the cove is split in two, one part is where you’ll find the fishing boats, and the other is where visitors and locals will go swimming, snorkelling and rock pooling.
Further around Cadgwith Cove is a 200-foot blowhole called the ‘Devil’s Frying Pan’.
The village itself is full of chocolate-box looking cottages, and anyone wanting to stay in Cadgwith Cove can do so at the local inn.
Harry Potter is also expected to film in Kynance Cove, a tidal beach famous for its white sand, turquoise sea and rock stacks.
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Anyone can visit Kynance Cove, but there is a small fee for parking – unless you’re a National Trust member.
It’s worth the trip though with some visitors even describing it as “the best beach, give you Portugal vibes”.
Others describe it as a “Cornish gem”, however, there are warnings of strong waves and fast-rising tides.
Kynance Cove was even voted as being one of the World’s 50 Best Beaches in 2024.
While there aren’t many facilities, there is a cafe on the beach that serves sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes, pasties and hot drinks.
For more budget-friendly holiday stay option on the peninsula, Brits can head to Lizard Point Holiday Park run by Parkdean Resorts.
The site is closed for the winter season, but reopens in March next year.
A five-night stay in May on a Trelan Caravan with a flatscreen TV, comfy sofas and sleeps up to six starts from £219, which is £7.30pppn.
The Compass Bungalow is the same price but sleeps up to four people; however, it is more spacious and has a brand new kitchen and bathroom.
Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, kart and bike hire, children’s shows from PAW Patrol to Milkshake Mornings.
Kids can also check out the soft play, amusement arcade, bungee trampoline, adventure golf, high ropes, table tennis, football as well as art and craft sessions.
There are on-site bars and restaurants, an ice cream parlour, drinks van and Street Eats for takeaways.
Port Isaac further north became so well-known after being used as the filming location for the BBC Doc Martin series that ran for 18 years.
It became the fictional village of Portwenn, showing off its clusters of stone cottages and narrow streets.
Beyond Paradise, starring Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton, is filmed in the beautiful town of Looe, also in Cornwall.
The spin-off to Death in Paradise started in 2023 and is set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott. The beaches of Looe and Fore Street are popular locations and the Guildhall is what they use for the Shipton Abbott Police Station.
Martha’s restaurant, The Ten Miles Kitchen, is filmed in The Stables, Port Eliot House & Gardens a cafe 20 minutes inland from Looe in the parish of St Germans.
It’s a great place to pop in for a coffee or brunch and a look over the garden estate.
Here are five locations from popular TV shows that are free to visit…
Gavin and Stacey
Gavin and Stacey came to an end with the finale episode over Christmas, but you can still keep the show’s spirit alive with a trip to Barry, Wales.
Trinity Street in Barry is home to the homes of Gwen, Uncle Bryn, and Doris – now belonging to Gavin and Stacey.
On Barry Island itself, there’s the famous Marco’s Cafe and the Arcade where Nessa worked the slots.
Just up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy’s local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin – where pints cost £4, according to reviews left by guests.
Midsomer Murders
In rural Oxfordshire there is one of the deadliest villages around, Midsomer. ITV’s Midsomer Murders is filmed mostly in the quaint and historic town of Wallingford.
Wallingford isn’t the only location used. Just 30 minutes up the road is the village of Thame which also doubles as Causton village.
In Thame, the Spread Eagle, a red-brick hotel that serves up four roast mains on a Sunday, has been used for filming. They’ve also used The Black Horse, which has monthly offers from Happy Hour to deals on main courses.
Rumsey’s Chocolaterie has also appeared on-screen, and it’s worth a trip there just for the hot chocolates alone. They also offer workshops where you can make truffles and chocolate figurines.
At the Thame Museum, they offer a free Midsomer Walking Tour leaflet and there’s an opportunity to have a photo taken next to the ‘Causton Town Hall’ sign.
All Creatures Great & Small
The Yorkshire Dales is the home to beloved series All Creatures Great and Small.
Grassington becomes the fictional market town of Darrowby and there are lots of familiar sights, as most of the village is used for filming.
The production team dress up shop fronts, with The Stripey Badger Bookshop becoming G F Engleby Grocers and The Devonshire transforming into the Drovers Arms.
The traditional family pub is very highly rated and offers everything from hearty breakfasts to Sunday lunch. It even offers ‘Dining for Dogs’ with ‘Diced Chuck Steak Doggy Dinner’ or ‘Sausage Stew’ on the menu.
For the chance to spot some filming, plan a trip in late Spring, early Summer as the cast begin with the Christmas special around that time.
Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife has returned for series fourteen and there are plenty of locations from over the years to visit for free.
In the latest series, the ladies of Nonnatus house took a trip to the seaside which was filmed on West Wittering beach, in Sussex.
The cast were unlucky though, and filmed during Storm Agnes which resulted in Cliff Parisi developing hypothermia.
Another recognisable location is the lighthouse from the 2019 Christmas Special, where Nurse Val and Nurse Lucille go to Scotland.
It’s actually the Eilean Glas Lighthouse on the east coast of the island of Scalpay. To get there, park in the village of Kennavay and take the 30-minute trail. The building also operates as a small museum and serves tea and coffee during open hours.
Shetland
Talking of Scotland, Shetland is the filming location for Shetland, obviously. The TV series starring Ashley Jensen is filmed in the main town and port, Lerwick.
The most recognisable spot of Lodberries House, which was the home of former lead DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).
Another popular location for the show is Commercial Street, which has featured in almost every single series of Shetland ever.
There are also lots of other iconic locations in Lerwick, including Lerwick Town Hall, Bain’s Beach and Lerwick Harbour.
You can get to Shetland by flying to a Scottish terminal, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkwall all have direct flights to Lerwick.
For more on Harry Potter, here’s the quaint suburb 30 minutes from central London that’s Harry Potter’s new childhood home.
Plus, the tiny pretty village in ‘trending’ English county that has its own castle and beach and is a great stop for Potterheads.