The Salt Path movie hits screens on 30 May, with Devon and Cornwall’s coastline playing a starring role alongside Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Whether or not you’ve read Raynor Winn’s epic story, now’s the time to step out and feel the transformative power of nature in key filming locations.
But The Salt Path isn’t the only blockbuster that’s brought the UK’s coastline to the big screen – our shores have long been a dramatic backdrop for stories of love, loss, magic, and transformation. From Meryl Streep striding the Cobb in The French Lieutenant’s Woman, to Dobby’s tear-jerking farewell on a Pembrokeshire beach, here’s where to step into the movies – and stay a while…
Holywell Bay, Cornwall
James Bond: Die Another Day (2002)
Cloud-scraping dunes, rolling waves, and dramatic headlands – Holywell Bay made the perfect backdrop for Bond’s beach scenes, and is where Halle Berry famously emerged from the sea in Die Another Day. Beyond its blockbuster appearances, this wild, Atlantic-lashed beach is made for beach-combing, bodyboarding and sunset picnics. Just a short hop from Newquay, stride into your own 007 adventure in search of the ‘holy well’ and reap the cinematic views for real.
Charlestown, Cornwall
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
With its tall ships, cobbled quayside and time-warped Georgian harbour, Charlestown feels like a portal to another world – which is exactly why it appeared in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. As Alice stumbles into the surreal, Charlestown sets the scene for fantasy and magic. Whether you sip coffee on the quay, castaway on a high seas adventure or duck into a salty pub, you’ll feel like an extra in your own swashbuckling tale – which is also why Charlestown’s rumoured to be the inspiration behind the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Hartland Quay, Devon
The Salt Path (2024), Rebecca (2020)
Wild, desolate and somewhat eerie, Hartland created an atmospheric setting for the gothic drama, Rebecca. Stand here and experience the brunt of the elements as waves crash against razor-edged cliffs, the wind howls off the Atlantic, and the rocks whisper stories etched deep in time. A fitting spot to also represent the raw resilience of The Salt Path. Take the coast path north or south, and let the power of the place hit you. This is North Devon, unplugged and unforgettable.
Saunton Sands, Devon
The Salt Path (2024), Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
This vast, unbroken stretch of sand is as cinematic as it gets. You might recognise Saunton from The Salt Path, where Raynor and Moth walk towards renewal, or from Edge of Tomorrow, where Tom Cruise fights aliens in the surf. Backed by undulating dunes and framed by wide skies, this beach invites you to breathe deeper, feel free, and frolic in the surf. Come and create your own scene fuelled by mindful pauses and windswept joy.
The Cobb, Lyme Regis, Dorset
The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981)
No British coastal scene is more iconic than Meryl Streep, windswept and cloaked, gazing out to sea from the Cobb in Lyme Regis. The moment is etched into cinematic history, and into the minds of many who’ve since walked that same stone wall. Tucked between cliffs and sea, Lyme is all romance, mystery, and salty charm. Stroll the historic harbour, feel the sea spray, and hunt for fossils as you pace this stretch of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
Chesil Beach, Dorset
On Chesil Beach (2017)
This vast, shingle spit stretching 18 miles along Dorset’s coast makes a haunting backdrop for this adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel. The beach, raw and exposed, mirrors the emotional intensity of the story. Visit and you’ll be pulled into the cinematic echoes as you watch storms scud in, skim pebbles across the sea, and pause in the elemental stillness near Portland. When you’ve had your fill of reflection and solitude, slip into the buzz of the Crab House Café nearby – where you can soak up shoreline views while feasting on oysters harvested from beds at the edge of the beach.
White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
Atonement (2007), Dunkirk (1958), James Bond (various)
Rising bright against the Channel, the White Cliffs of Dover are an icon of British film and spirit. From wartime retreats in Dunkirk, to poignant moments in Atonement, to various Bond appearances – Kent’s chalky coastline has framed stories of love, loss, and resolve. Walk the cliff path, peer across to France, and feel history, drama, and beauty all come alive beneath your boots. The views – and the vibe – are nothing short of epic.
Brighton, East Sussex
Brighton Rock (1948), Quadrophenia (1979), On Brighton Beach (2022)
A city of contrast and character, Brighton has long been a gritty-glam stage for British cinema. It’s where Pinkie strutted in Brighton Rock, mods clashed with rockers in Quadrophenia, and where the beach still buzzes with energy and edge. Walk the promenade, ride the ghost train, grab chips on the pebbles and watch seagulls steal the show. It’s all here – vintage noir, rebellious youth, and a modern-day cast of beachgoers. Bag a seaside cottage in Brighton or Hove and live out your own story on the beach.
Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010)
This wild Welsh beach stole hearts – and broke them – as the location of Dobby’s final resting place in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Fans still leave socks and tributes to the beloved elf, but you don’t need to be a Potterhead to feel the magic. With rolling dunes, surfable waves and moody skies, Freshwater West casts a real spell over anyone who comes here. Brave a swim, hike the coast path, or sit quietly and let the Pembrokeshire Coast whisk you into its wave-lashed embrace.
Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Also in Pembrokeshire, the sweeping sands and sea stacks of Marloes Sands conjures up a dose of wild fantasy fitting for the epic battles in this dark fairytale reimagining of Snow White. You half expect a horse and rider to emerge from the sea mist as you explore the rock pools, scale the sea cliffs and feel the cinematic energy ripple through this extraordinary coastal stage.
Orkney, Scotland
The Outrun (2024)
Amy Liptrot’s memoir comes vividly to life on Orkney’s wind-whipped isles – where land, sea and soul collide. The film roams dramatic cliffs, green pastures and vast, shimmering seascapes. You don’t just watch Orkney – you feel it: raw, redemptive and real. Walk in Amy’s footsteps, embrace the elements, and find the space to lose – or find – yourself. This coastline is for those drawn to solitude, resilience and wild beauty.
Camusdarach Beach, near Arisaig, Scotland
Local Hero (1983)
This quiet, silver-sanded beach charmed audiences in a much-loved cult classic about an American oil executive sent to a remote Scottish village to buy up land for a refinery. Like so many who visit this part of Scotland, he falls under the spell of the wild coastal landscape. What unfolds is a soulful story about nature, greed, belonging, and change. Much of the filming took place on Camusdarach Beach near Arisaig, enticing many visitors today to visit its pristine sands and stare out towards the isles of Rum and Eigg.
Book Your Set Strolling Seaside Holiday
Ready to walk in the footsteps of film stars and fictional heroes? Our nearby holiday cottages put you centre stage in these spectacular locations. From sea-view stays in Cornwall to remote retreats in Scotland, you’re never far from a scene-stealing escape.
