From Looe to the Tamar Valley, BBC One drama Beyond Paradise is packed with honeypot destinations and dreamy locations.
Although its setting of Shipton Abbot is fictional, filming took place in some very real locations in the West Country. Surprisingly, however, for a show that pitches itself as Devon-based, it's hard to spot many Devon locations.
Speaking as part of a BBC press pack, actor Kris Marshall (who plays DI Humphrey Goodman) said "I absolutely love filming by the coast. One of my favourite filming locations is Rame Head in Cornwall. It offers stunning views and has a fascinating abandoned military site, complete with old tanks and artillery steps. It’s a great spot for filming and after work you can head down to a secret cove for a swim.
"Another favourite is Mothecombe Beach, which is a secluded spot only accessible on foot. We sometimes film there at night, and the little bathing house on the rocks makes for a perfect green room. It’s a cozy spot with a wood burner and is the perfect place to relax between takes. If we could do an episode that involves surfing, I’d love to head to the north coast of Cornwall, where the surf is more consistent."
Read on to find out where else the series has been filmed.
Filming locations in Beyond Paradise
Despite the series being set in south Devon, most of the filming for Beyond Paradise takes place in Cornwall.
Looe, Cornwall
Much of the series is filmed in the coastal town of Looe, which plays the role of fictional (and purportedly Devonian) town of Shipton Abbot.
This pretty Cornish fishing harbour sits between Plymouth, which lies 20 miles east, and Fowey, located 10 miles west. Looe Bridge joins East and West Looe and the village is blessed with a wide sandy beach, rich woodland and cobbled streets.
Many scenes of Beyond Paradise are filmed at Looe's harbour and East Beach – and the town's Guildhall doubles up as the police station.
Launceston, Cornwall
Scenes in Shipton Abbot high street are filmed in the market town of Launceston, the ancient capital of Cornwall. The town sits on the south side of a large hill and is overlooked by 11th-century Launceston Castle. So if you're not in town to solve crimes, you can enjoy a spot of sightseeing and shopping.
Port Eliot House and Gardens, Saltash, Cornwall
If you want to visit Martha's cafe (Ten Mile Kitchen), then you're in luck – as for the first two series, it was filmed at The Stables at Port Eliot House and Gardens. The earliest written reference to Port Eliot is in a 9th-century Cornish liturgical fragment kept at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. It refers to Ecclesia Lnanledensia, which is considered the pre-Christian name of this place. Once home to Augustinian monks, the house has been inhabited for 1,000 years and contains many artworks and treasures. The house and gardens are also open to visitors.
In the third series, Ten Mile Kitchen moves to a new location. Scenes for the new cafe were filmed at Looe harbour – specifically the restaurant The Sardine Factory and Looe's Heritage Centre.
Related content:
- Best walks in Cornwall
- Guide to Devon: things to do, places to stay and best walks
- Britain’s prettiest fishing villages
A fishing boat being winched up the beach at Cadgwith Cove in Cornwall/Credit: Getty
Pentillie Castle and Estate, Saltash, Cornwall
As the Pentillie Estate has easy access to the River Tamar, Humphrey and Martha's houseboat is moored on its banks. A riverside cottage and quay on the estate is used as Anne Lloyd's (and occasionally Humphrey and Martha's) house. Built in 1698, Pentillie Castle is a country house set in Repton-designed woodland gardens on the Cornish bank of the river.
Main image: Beyond Paradise series 3 /BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Mark Harrison
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