There’s something about this part of Cornwall that feels almost too perfect to be real.

The colourful fishing villages, winding coastal roads, hidden coves and dramatic sea views all feel cinematic before you even realise many of them actually have appeared on screen.

From dramas and iconic British television to famous literary adaptations and blockbuster filming locations, South East Cornwall has quietly become one of the UK’s most recognisable coastal backdrops.

And the best part? When staying at The Vale, many of these locations are within easy reach for a day of exploring.

 

Looe - The Real-Life Shipton Abbott

If Beyond Paradise looks familiar when you watch it, there’s a good reason why.

Much of the hugely popular BBC series is filmed in and around Looe, which doubles as the fictional town of Shipton Abbott.

With its bustling harbour, narrow streets, traditional fishing boats and beachside setting, Looe already feels like the perfect TV backdrop without needing much editing at all.

Filming locations in Looe include:

• East Looe Beach
• Banjo Pier
• Fore Street
• Looe Harbour
• Looe Guildhall

Distance from The Vale: Around 10-15 minutes.

 

Polperro - Cornwall’s Storybook Fishing Village

Few places in Cornwall feel more cinematic than Polperro.

The steep cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages and tiny harbour make it feel like stepping onto a film set and over the years, it’s appeared in several TV productions including:

• Doc Martin
• Beyond Paradise
• Multiple British travel and historical documentaries

Even if you haven’t seen it on screen before, it’s one of those places that instantly feels familiar.

Distance from The Vale: Around 15 minutes.

 

Fowey - Literary Inspiration & Coastal Drama

Elegant estuary views, sailing boats and waterfront cafés give Fowey a completely different atmosphere to nearby fishing villages, but it’s no less cinematic.

The area is famously linked to Daphne du Maurier, whose novels inspired films including:

• Rebecca
• Jamaica Inn

While not all adaptations were filmed directly in Fowey itself, the surrounding Cornish coastline and landscape heavily inspired the stories.

Nearby estuary locations have also featured in scenes from Beyond Paradise.

Distance from The Vale: Around 20-25 minutes.

 

Bodmin Moor - Poldark & Jamaica Inn

If you venture slightly further inland, the landscapes begin to change dramatically.

Bodmin Moor has become one of Cornwall’s most recognisable filming locations thanks to its rugged scenery, open landscapes and atmospheric weather.

Productions filmed in and around the moor include:

• Poldark
• Jamaica Inn
• Various historical dramas and documentaries

The area feels completely different to the coastline but equally cinematic in its own way.

Distance from The Vale: Around 35-45 minutes.

 

Port Isaac - One of Cornwall’s Most Famous TV Villages

Although a little further away, Port Isaac is still one of Cornwall’s most iconic filming destinations.

The village became internationally recognised as the setting for:

• Doc Martin
• Fisherman's Friends

Its tiny harbour and dramatic clifftop setting make it one of the most instantly recognisable villages in the county.

Distance from The Vale: Around 1 hour.

 

Holywell Bay -James Bond’s Cornwall Connection

Cornwall has even made its way into the world of Bond films.

Holywell Bay was used as a filming location for Die Another Day starring Pierce Brosnan.

The dramatic sand dunes and coastline provided the perfect backdrop for action scenes and it remains one of Cornwall’s most famous movie locations.

Distance from The Vale: Around 1 hour 15 minutes.

 

Why Cornwall Works So Well On Screen

The beauty of Cornwall is that it already feels cinematic in real life.

The coastline is dramatic, the villages are full of character and every turn seems to reveal another hidden cove, harbour or sea view.

It’s why filmmakers continue returning year after year and why visitors often feel like they’ve stepped into a TV show themselves while exploring the area.

Whether you’re walking around the harbour in Looe, exploring Polperro’s narrow streets or discovering windswept moorland landscapes inland, it’s easy to see why this part of Cornwall continues to inspire filmmakers, writers and travellers alike.

 

Book your break at The Vale and explore the cinematic beauty of Cornwall.