With the breath-taking scenery and surrounding areas of natural beauty it's not surprising that Plymouth and its neighbouring areas have featured as a backdrop in several television series and feature films over the years.

Streets and properties have been transformed to host a variety of eras and genres, from period romances to magical realms, this city and its surroundings certainly offer plenty of locations for film lovers to enjoy.

While you can't currently visit Plymouth, why not pop one of these great TV shows and films on and enjoy Britain's Ocean City from the comfort of your sofa! 

The Hoe:

Blue Planet II (2017)

Britain’s Ocean City is known for its marine life, conservation and microbiology. This was recognised by BBC’s Blue Planet II narrated by national treasure David Attenborough when they were filming for the popular nature series. The Marine Biology Association based on Plymouth Hoe assisted the production crew with information, resources and facilities for filming a clip that appears towards the end of Episode 5 Green Seas. The scene features the filming of microscopic phytoplankton which was caught in the Sound that day. This then leads onto the marine life food chain that benefits from this algae, in this case a shoal of anchovies! This spectacular footage really highlights the hidden world of the ocean floor.

Frankfort Gate, West End:

Delicious, Sky One Series 2 (2017)

Lill’s Café in the City’s West End, was transformed into a traditional British café complete with wooden panels and cheque table cloths to match for a scene in drama series 2 of Sky One’s Delicious. The show stars Plymouth’s own actress Dawn French alongside Emilia Fox and Iain Glenn (Game of Thrones). There were also a number of scenes filmed across the Tamar Valley and you make recognise the ‘The Penrose’ as nearby Grade II listed country house Pentille Castle.

Royal William Yard:

Churchill – The Hollywood Years (2004)

This fun parody was directed by Devon-born Peter Richardson. The satire was set to expose how Hollywood depicts historical events as it’s lead Christian Slater portrays Winston Churchill as a stereotypical macho-man. A number of locations in Devon were used to film this British comedy including our very own Royal William Yard. Complete with 1940’s style transport and an iconic red London bus, the Stonehouse victualling yard was successfully transformed into a London Street. Visitors may recognise the ‘British War Office’ as the Guard House situated at the entrance of the complex. Filming apparently lasted for 3 days and a number of locals were recruited as extras.

Saltram House:

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Ang Lee’s Jane Austen adaptation of Sense and Sensibility in 1995, was rich in the luscious rolling hills of the Devonian landscape, and featured National Trust property Saltram House as ‘Norwood Park’. The romantic historical drama starred big names such as Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet and became a much-loved timeless classic.

Visitors at Saltram’s Grade 1 listed mansion can witness the ornate interior of Mrs Dashwood’s home and the breath-taking beauty of its grounds featured in this Golden Globe-winning period film.

Dartmoor:

War Horse (2012)

A short drive from Plymouth is the rugged moorland of Dartmoor which has been the host of a number of feature films and television series. Notably, in 2010 it was the backdrop of the film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel Warhorse. The lead character Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine) lives with his family on a farm which you may recognise as quaint Grade II listed 18^th century Ditsworthy Warren House situated near Sheepstor. Although the house is a private property, it is possible to view it from surrounding moorland. A number of locations in Dartmoor were used for filming including; Burrator Reservoir, Sheepstor, Ringmoor Down and Hexworthy Bridge to name a few.  Director Steven Spielberg offered locals to have the opportunity to be involved as extras to help build an authentic sense of village community.

Sherlock , BBC Series 2 Episode 2 -  The Hound of the Baskervilles (2012)

Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the classic detective stories of Sherlock Holmes is known to have resided in Plymouth for a short time in and used its surroundings as inspiration for his novels. The BBC series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman revitalised the much-loved characters of Sherlock Holms and Dr Watson in a dynamic mystery drama. It was the most popular television series of 2012 and included scenes filmed on our very own neighbouring national park Dartmoor. Its granite coated hills and wild fauna made Hound’s Tor and Haytor perfect locations to shoot this mystery drama.

Noss Mayo:

The Trouble with Maggie Cole (2020)

Plymouth star Dawn French has also recently filmed her comedy series The Trouble with Maggie Cole. Originally an idea for a novel about the secrets of village life, French decided to produce the story as a television series thus bringing her fictional coastal village of Thurlbury to life on screen. Eagle-eyed local viewers may recognise a number of filming locations including Mothecombe beach and Launceston Castle, places that French has many fond childhood memories. If you look closely, the village of Noss Mayo, which is just a short drive from Plymouth, is featured as Patrick Robinson’s character Marcus’ holiday home. The locations used certainly offer a picturesque coastal village image which makes for the perfect backdrop to this ITV comedy drama.

Antony House, Torpoint:

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Tim Burton’s adaptation of the Lewis Carrol story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland transformed the grey-brick two storey mansion and beautifully landscaped gardens of National Trust property Antony House into a magical realm in 2010. Visitors can see the grounds that feature in the opening scenes of the award-winning movie including the staggering hedge row where the audience gets the first glimpse of the famous white rabbit. You can walk in Alice’s footsteps around the grounds that Burton described as ‘a perfect, pocket-sized mansion; something beautifully symmetrical, with intimate interiors, wide views and landscaped gardens.’ This beautiful property with its lavish interiors and picturesque grounds will certainly have you feeling ‘curiouser and curiouser’.