Poldark Film Locations

It’s great to see BBC’s ‘Poldark’ back on our screens! The stunning Cornish landscape and locations play a starring role in the series, so we’ve put together a list of some of the main filming locations.

Captain Ross Poldark is often seen galloping along the Cornish cliff tops: the stunning scenery is that of Park Head (National Trust) at Porthcothan, between Newquay and Padstow. An easy walk from the car park, this stretch of iconic Cornish coastline features stunning views of the impressive sea stacks at Bedruthan Steps (pictured below).

Bedruthan

Brooding and atmospheric Bodmin Moor is the setting for Ross Poldark’s home, Nampara. Incidentally, the moor is also the setting for another famous Cornish tale, Daphne Du Maurier’s ‘Jamaica Inn’.

Disused engine houses and old mines are iconic features of the Cornish landscape; a great place to view these is at St Agnes Head, down the coast from Newquay.  Much of the action in the TV drama takes place at the cliff top Wheal Leisure Mine. Whilst Poldark author Winston Graham based this mine on one originally situated in the centre of Perranporth, midway between St Agnes and Newquay, the locations chosen for the TV series are much further down the coast to the south. The Wheal Owles and the Crowns engine houses that double for Wheal Leisure are situated near Botallack, by St Just.  The nearby Levant Mine (National Trust) stands in for the fictional Tressiders Rolling Mill where the copper from the Poldark mine is processed. 

Botallack mine

Cornwall is also famous for the beautiful beaches and hidden coves that line the coast. Beaches featured in the series include Porthgwarra Cove (south of Lands End) and Porthcothan beach north of Newquay, whilst the night-time ship wrecking scenes were filmed at Gunnwalloe on The Lizard.

Also situated on the Lizard and a film location for Poldark is one of the county’s most famous, and most photographed, beaches.  It is a steep 15 minute walk down to Kynance Cove, but well worth the effort as it’s quite stunning with white sand, spectacular rock towers and caves. There is also a café above the beach for refreshments!

Charlestown Cornwall

The Grade II listed Georgian port of Charlestown is featured in the series, as are the interiors of the reputedly haunted Bodmin Gaol. Although largely in ruins, the gaol is open to visitors and offers a fascinating insight into penal life in the past. The original cells feature tableaux of some of the prisoners and their crimes, and the atmosphere of the gaol will leave many visitors with an eerie sense of unease….

If you would like to discover Poldark’s Cornwall, don’t forget you can book all types of accommodation in Cornwall through this website. Whether you’re interested in ancient castles, historic hotels, cosy B&Bs or family friendly holiday cottages, you’ll find them all here!

 

Poldark Locations