Cornwall is a region that is admired the world over. Stretches of green, untouched hills lead to picturesque villages with unique character, while the sandy beaches and stunning blue seas that line its coast are some of the best in the world. It’s this unique mix of stunning beauty and natural simplicity that makes Cornwall one of the premier UK holiday destinations.
Much like the country itself, Cornwall has made a quiet but surprisingly noticeable mark on the film industry, even in its early years. If you’re thinking about staying in one of our luxury Cornish cottages, consider these seven films shot in the region as examples of the stunning beauty on offer here!
The Witches
This 1990s adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel saw Anjelica Huston star as, you guessed it, a witch presiding on a meeting of witches taking place at a hotel. While the story takes place in Norway, the hotel where the movie was filmed is actually in Newquay!
The Headland Hotel is a beautiful location overlooking Fistral Beach, a popular surfing location in North Cornwall just west of Newquay. An imposing regal mansion overlooking the coast, the Headland Hotel dates back to the 19th Century and is a beautiful backdrop to a day at one of Cornwall’s best coastlines.
Treasure Island
This famous 1950s movie was Walt Disney’s first ever live-action cinematic production and won many rave reviews worldwide. Adapted from a Scottish novel of the same name, due to restrictions in technology at the time many of the scenes were filmed on location, with the studio choosing Cornwall as the perfect location for their pirate escapades!
Filmed across the region in places such as Gull Rock, the River Fal and Carrick Roads, Treasure Island captures the spirit and natural ruggedness of Cornwall perfectly.
World War Z
The modern zombie thriller starring Hollywood icon Brad Pitt saw him travelling across the world on a mission to stop a zombie outbreak, and given the film’s country-hopping story it’s no surprise that it was filmed in a multitude of different locations across the world. However, for many of the scenes in the film set out at sea, Falmouth was the chosen location for this blockbuster movie.
Falmouth is famous for its maritime history, and perhaps this played a part in the decision, but more important to Paramount Studios appeared to be the area’s unique characteristics. A place with a proud tradition and history, this seemingly small coastal town has a lot to offer its visitors – from the maritime museum to its modern university and tourist spots.
Jamaica Inn
One of the most infamous films to be wholly set in Cornwall, Alfred Hitchcock’s Jamaica Inn is regarded as one of the famous director’s worst movies of all time! However, the 1936 book it was adapted from is still widely praised and read, and the pub that it was named after is still running to this very day.
The book Jamaica Inn, a dark tale about pirates and smugglers, was inspired by the author’s stay at the real Jamaica Inn. Located on Bodmin Moor in the east of the region, the famous establishment dates back to 1750 and was renowned for its associations with smuggling, something that has inspired guests long since the 1936 novel.
Alice in Wonderland
There are few British stories as iconic as the late-1800s book written by Lewis Carroll. Images of suited rabbits, giant cats and mad hatters are synonymous with many people’s childhoods, and for the recent cinematic reboot of the story, it was decided that Cornwall’s grand old country homes would be the perfect setting for a certain magical tea party!
Walt Disney chose the 18th-century Antony House as the perfect place for visionary director Tim Burton to complete his fantasy film. Located just outside the town of Torpoint along the south coast, this strong, grey structure and its beautifully manicured gardens are perfect for a day of history and fantasy blended into one.
Die Another Day
One of the most famous James Bond films there is, this 2002 incarnation of the famous British spy starred Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry and was the highest-grossing James Bond film of its time.
The opening beach scenes were shot over two locations – Cádiz in Spain and our very own Newquay! Some of the later parts of the film inside the diamond mine were also shot in the region, at the world famous Eden Project.
About Time
This popular romantic tale about a time-travelling bachelor played by Domhnall Gleeson was released in 2013 to much praise from movie lovers across the country. This film feels very British in its production, and if it’s a beautiful shade of Britain you are looking for, then Cornwall is the perfect destination.
The film was shot in London and across south Cornwall, with many of the key early scenes shot in various places across the region, such as Porthpean House and the village of Portloe in the Roseland Peninsula, seen as one of the region’s prettiest villages.
Films have been shot across Cornwall for generations, capturing the region’s distinct natural landscape and traditions. Cornwall is a diverse place with plenty of hidden secrets, as we’re sure you’ll discover during your stay!