Where Was Poldark Filmed? 11 of the Gorgeous Cornwall Locations That Made the Series
We all know the Poldark series, don't we? The steamy, broody, dramatic eighteenth-century drama that centres around our beloved hero, Ross Poldark. Well if you don't know it, we're here to let you know, so you don't miss out.
Poldark is amazing for many things: drama, romance, and horseback scenes, just to name a few. But one of the most amazing things about Poldark that we might not talk about just enough is the stunning visual quality of the series. The series, simply put, looks gorgeous. Each scene feels like it is lifted straight out of the time period in which the story is set. Watching the series immediately transports you to a far-lost time in post-Revolutionary War Cornwall.
And what do we have to thank for this amazing visual quality and authentic time-travelling? The amazing filming locations, of course!
Poldark was filmed in many locations across Cornwall and each one of them was an excellent pick that greatly improved the effect and authenticity of the show. The team creating Poldark made some wonderful choices for these filming locations and we would be remiss if we didn't take an entire blog to talk about them.
So that is exactly what we are going to do. In this blog, we are going to tell you about 11 filming locations that were integral to the filming of Poldark and its success. If you fancy a trip to the lovely Cornwall at some point, you can take this blog along with you as a sort of to-visit list. You can thank us later for that one.
For now, let's get into this list. Starting with:
Holywell Bay, Cornwall
Holywell Bay is a hugely important piece of Poldark, both in the BBC drama and in the original books, as it is just a stone's throw away from the home Poldark author Winston Graham owned.
The beach is owned by the National Trust in Cornwall and to lovers of the county. The twin grass-covered dunes seen in the distance of the beach will be instantly identifiable.
This huge beach with golden sand is not just a hit with the local dog-walkers and pebble-tossers; it is also a key filming location within the series of Poldark. The production crew landed a real gem when they found it, that's for sure. Now, when we think of Holywell beach we think of Ross Poldark emerging from the water and his romantic beach walks with Demelza.
The iconic scenes shot here have cemented the beach as a piece of Poldark's history. Fans of the show will love a trip here; you can go entirely for free and you can recreate all the topless scenes that you would like. Hey, if you can find a couple of horses you can recreate those scenes, too. Nothing is stopping you.
Charlestown near St Austell
Charlestown near St Austell is second on our list of Poldark filming locations for a reason. It is one of the most integral places seen in the show. When we see the harbour in the show, it is either the fictional Truro Harbour or ports on the Isles of Scilly. The Cornwall spot is working to this day, and it has its very own tall ships which are a big attraction for locals and tourists alike.
As well as providing the perfect backdrop for the show, this location is definitely one to pop on your visiting Cornwall bucket list. The Shipwreck and Heritage Centre has recently buddied up with the Historic Port of Charlestown to allow visitors to board the ships and learn about the history of the harbour. It is a fantastic opportunity for history and Poldark fans alike and can help you really imagine what life would have been like for these characters in this era.
I don't know about you but that is going on my 2022 summer bucket list for sure!
Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove is an intriguing group of rock formations at Lizard Point on the south coast of Cornwall. It is an infamous Cornwall location that hosts stunning scenes and incredible landscapes.
Kynance Cove takes the name of Nampara Cove in the Poldark series, and the location has given us some exciting scenes across the run of the show, including treacherous fishing scenes, a dramatic labour scene, and that unforgettable scene of Ross Poldark heading to prison.
The cove is truly beautiful, with turquoise waters and plenty of caves to explore if the tide is out. The only thing to watch out for here is the swarms of Poldark fans who have the same idea as us! In summer, this place can get pretty busy with TV tourists so try and head down during an off-peak time to get all the selfies you want and need.
St Breward, Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor is the real-life home of Nampara, where the Poldark family estate lies in the series. Bodmin Moor is the true wilderness of Cornwall. It is a very remote area that has nature and not much else! There are some villages dotted through the landscape, and it is St Breward that was used to film all the exterior shots of the Poldark family home.
Bodmin Moor is also where the miners' cottages are, including the one gifted by Ross to Jim and Jenny Carter.
If you want to go deep into the natural world of Cornwall, this would be the very place to do it. Just make sure that you bring your hiking boots and that you have some safety equipment ready to use if you plan to visit this filming spot. It is the true wilderness and requires an expert hand.
There is no Ross Poldark hiding, ready to take you back to safety on his horse, unfortunately. Sorry to crush your dreams. It was hard for us to come to terms with, too.
Park Head near Porthcothan
Park Head is a stunning stretch of Cornwall coastal scenery. If you are thinking about horse-riding scenes, dramatic walking, and contemplating scenes from Poldark, it is highly likely that you're thinking about scenes that were filmed in this beautiful stretch of land.
This stretch was actually one of the locations that made the production crew fall in love with Cornwall and the thought of creating the series. The classic Cornwall seaside scenery is at the heart of Poldark and the BBC drama couldn't have been made into what it was without it. All we have to say is thank you Park Head!
The famous Bedruthan Steps are located here, and in the summertime, you can dander across wildflower-strewn cliffs as the flowers bloom and emerge. Now, doesn't that sound dreamy? Remember to bring a jacket even in summer; it gets chilly with that Cornish wind.
Porthgwarra, St Aubyn Estates
Porthgwarra is a hidden beauty tucked away on the Cornish coast. The golden sand beach is nestled in between two sloping cliff edges and backed by a steep slipway. Once a thriving fishing cove, it is easy to see why it might have escaped the average wandering tourist so far.
Poldark, however, brought this hidden gem to the forefront of our minds and showed us its beauty. You will most likely remember the location from the memorable scenes of Ross skinny dipping in the water under the watchful eye of his future wife. Don't lie and say you don't remember the scene... You do.
This windswept beach is perfect for some peace and quiet. You can transport yourself way, way back in time and pretend that the rest of the world doesn't exist in this attractive sandy cove overlooked by beautiful cliff edges. Nothing wrong with having a beach day and some Poldark fantasies, am I right?
South West Coast Path, from Botallack to Levant Mine
The South West Coast Path from Botallack to Levant Mine is massively important to the filming and story of Poldark. It is also of huge significance to the history of the county of Cornwall itself, making up part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
Levant Mine masquerades as the Tressiders Rolling Mill in the TV series and Botallack hosts the fictional Wheal Leisure and Grambler. These locations give us the mining aspects of Poldark's history, alongside some computer software and special effects that helped bring the history of the area into the 21st century. The show pays homage to the rich history of the mining site, depicting some of the tragedies that took place in the area such as drownings and struggling workers.
The mine is no longer functional, but you are able to take an underground tour if that kind of thing floats your boat. If not, you can keep yourself in the fresh air and take a tour of the scenery along the coastal path. Either choice is great for Poldark fans and history buffs alike.
Padstow
Padstow is a coastal area of North Cornwall that was commonly used for clifftop scenes throughout Poldark. Levlizzick and Tregirls beach are common, well-known scenes in the area. Lovers of Poldark will know exactly how important these clifftop riding scenes featuring Ross really are, and so I think all we really have to say is thanks Padstow! Thank you for your service to Poldark fans everywhere.
This one is an excellent addition to any Poldark location bucket list. The beautiful coastal views and the quaint harbour town add up to a wonderful day out. I would certainly recommend it.
Porthcurno
Porthcurno stands in for Poldark's fictional Nampara Cove. The sandy beach area is one with beautiful turquoise waters and high rugged mountains all around. It is a stunning beach that was a great choice on the part of the production team.
We see this beach used in season two of Poldark, in the scenes featuring Demelza and Ross walking along the beach as part of a dream sequence. Porthcurno is a dreamy area in itself, so using it to represent this idyllic walk through the beach area of Nampara Valley makes complete sense to me!
Porthcurno is an amazing place to visit but it is important to take note of a recent issue in the area before you do. Due to the popularity of Poldark, many visitors and tourists have descended upon the beach to visit the beautiful white beaches. While this might seem like a lovely thing on the surface, a lot of residents in the area have been displeased with the number of tourists that have arrived at the small space all at once. There have been issues with parking and reconsideration around the area.
So, if you do go to visit the area, remember to be respectful to the locals at all times, and make sure you keep the Poldark name out of trouble for a while longer!
Gunwalloe - Dollar Cove and Church Cove
Gunwalloe Beach and neighbouring Dollar Cove play the role of Church Cove in the Poldark series. The Cornish beach is one known for its shipwrecks across history, with many locals claiming to have found treasures from various ships here over time. Silver coins from Spanish Armada ships (hence the name Dollar Cove) are said to wash up on the shore even now, so if you do pay this particular location a visit, make sure to keep your eyes peeled and your metal detector handy!
In Poldark, we see history played out on screen with this filming location being used for the scenes in which Ross and crew head down to pillage through potential winnings on the beach. Poldark does an incredible job of bringing Cornwall's rich history to life throughout the series, and this is another example of this.
It is an aspect of the show that we really value. How about you?
St Agnes Head
For the final spot on our list, we have St Agnes Head. We have finished with this one because we know how much you all love to know exactly where Ross Poldark took part in his amazing cliff-side horseback-riding scenes. This is yet another wonderful spot where this kind of action was filmed.
St Agnes Head is a beautiful stretch of Cornish coastline and it makes up another part of Nampara Valley throughout Poldark. It is another location with a direct linkage to the Poldark novels, as author Winston Graham lived very close to this location for thirty years and, in fact, wrote his very first Poldark novel here. The beauty of the coastline and cliff edges, no doubt, had a big part to play in the creation of the series we now all cherish. What a wonderful place to return to for filming!
This location is really special, and if you are ever in Cornwall, you should add this one to the top of your list. Poldark scenes will definitely be flying through your mind as you look out into the wonderful Cornish landscape.
Conclusion
And with that, our list draws to a close. What a tour!
We hope you enjoyed this whistle-stop tour of the Cornish locations that make up the infamous Poldark series. We very much enjoyed writing it and bringing all this information to you!
Poldark has so much to offer so many different fans across the world, and so do the filming locations across Cornwall that made up the series. Visiting these spaces respectfully and with care for the local residents is an amazing thing to do if you get the chance. You can go and recreate your own Poldark scenes and maybe even spend an afternoon just thinking about your favourite scenes from the show. (Ahem, clifftop riding scenes.)
If you do go visiting, send pictures, won't you?