Have you ever watched a film, or even a great TV series, and thought: “I wish I could go there”. As a lot of high-quality productions are being made in the UK these days, it’s most likely you can spend your holiday 'on location'. With film technology becoming more advanced, picturesque settings are becoming more sought-after by directors. So where better to find these places than the UK?
Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon (2021)
Game of Thrones cast and crew turned up at Holywell Bay beach in September 2021 to film some scenes for the brand new Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon. This breath taking beach is like no other and it's right next to Holywell Bay Holiday Park. Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon will be the prequel to the hugely popular original Game of Thrones series. As well as this, St Michaels Mount near Penzance was used in other scenes. Holywell Bay beach goers confirmed sightings of stars Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcey. The new series will feature House Targaryen along with House Velaryon who had died out before the original series. Camp fires were seen being made on Holywell Bay beach along with a solider standing wearing armour on a clifftop with similar sightings at another one of Cornwall’s stunning locations - Kynance Cove.
Doc Martin (2022)
Doc Martin has been filming in Port Isaac since 2004 when the first series aired and will be filming for the last time in 2022. The series and filming were due to be completed in 2021 however Covid restrictions affected this and so it has been delayed another year. If you’ve not watched the previous 9 seasons, the series features Martin Ellingham, a surgeon that lacks social skills, who leaves London and sets up a practice in Cornwall’s 'Portwenn'. Filming is due to recommence in 2022 at the beautiful and scenic Port Isaac which only a 15 minute drive from St Minver Holiday Park.
Vera (2021)
Everyone’s favourite crime show Vera has been filming in the North East since 2011 and they’ve been back in 2021 to film the latest series. Detective Vera and the rest of the cast and crew have been spotted filming in numerous locations around the North East including Blyth, Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, South Shields, Wallsend, and Holy Island. The show’s producer chose these areas in the North East for the coastal countryside and small seaside towns. If you’re staying at Whitley Bay Holiday Park, you’ll be just down the road from where all of the action happens.
Poldark (2015)
A runaway success, this drama series stars Aiden Turner as the dashing Captain Ross Poldark. However, it was the stunning backdrop of Cornwall has caught the eye of many viewers of the BBC series. There are many parts of Cornwall featured in the 2015 reboot but Newquay is central to the area being local to the traditional Charlestown Harbour where Poldark himself kept his ships. It is also a short trip to the historic city of Truro, and the iconic engine house of St Agnes Head. You can even swim in the sea at Porthcothan beach, or ride horseback on the rugged Bodmin Moor where Poldark's cottage is found near St Minver Holiday Park.
Downton Abbey (2014)
Wolf Hall (2015)
Broadchurch (2013)
007: Die Another Day (2002)
Featuring the naturally formed Gull Rocks, crystal seas and golden sand - no wonder Holywell Bay was used as ‘body double’ for Hawaii in Bond flick Die Another Day. The opening scene sees Pierce Brosnan, as Bond, emerging from the tall waves (which ARE actually in Maui) but there’s no substitute for Holywell Bay. Not too far from Newquay, or the city of Truro, Holywell Bay Holiday Park is the best place to start when creating amazing memories in Cornwall. On a hot day you can even have your own Bond or Bond girl moment by chilling in the sea. You'll want to wait until the tide is out so you and the family can have your own adventure exploring the shore for shells.
Reliving your favourite scenes in their original locations from Hollywood movies to British dramas, there will be a Parkdean Resorts Holiday Park nearby. Have we missed any great TV and film locations? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram!