Top 8 Poldark Filming Locations

The Crowns Engine Houses at Botallack

Hearing how Porthcurno and Kynance Cove beaches have been overrun with visitors this summer, I’ve decided to amend my original post and take these two locations out of my original Top 10 Poldark filming locations. It’s now a Top 8! While these two places are amongst my favourite spots in Cornwall, I would urge you to only visit them out of season to enjoy them at their most beautiful.

With the return of the ever-so-dashing Poldark to our screens, my mind wanders to the captivating beauty of Cornwall and the spectacular locations of this TV drama. While we have explored Cornwall numerous times over the years, Mr Skylark and I took on a chunk of the Cornish coast path last September. We spent 5 days walking from St Ives to Penzance. It was on this occasion that we were lucky enough to bump into the cast and crew of Poldark, who were filming on location.

Although Poldark has been filmed outside of Cornwall too, read on for my favourite Cornish filming locations and discover where we bumped into the cast and crew for a behind the scenes look at filming.

Top 8 Poldark Filming Locations in Cornwall

Bodmin Moor

Wild and windswept Bodmin Moor is the location of Ross Poldark’s cottage, Nampara. Many of the rugged, horseback scenes have been filmed on the moor. It’s not possible to visit Nampara itself as it is a private property, but it’s located in St Breward. Mr Skylark, whose family is from around this area, and I have enjoyed many fabulous walks (through every season) across Bodmin Moor. Particularly around the abandoned mines and intriguing rock formations at the Cheese Wring.

Cheese Wring, Bodmin Moor, Poldark filming locations
Cheese Wring, Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor, Poldark filming location
Bodmin Moor, Poldark filming location

Park Head

The cliffs at Park Head offer spectacular views of Bedruthan Steps on Cornwall’s north coast. This is one of the locations of Ross Poldark’s clifftop canters. The neighbouring beaches of Porthcothan and Hendrawna feature as part of Nampara. The café at Bedruthan Steps is one of my favourite places to enjoy a Cornish cream tea.

Bedruthan Steps, towards Park Head
Bedruthan Steps, towards Park Head
Tin mine sunset
Tin mine sunset

St Agnes

St Agnes Head doubles as Nampara Valley and featured in the cliff-hanger scenes at the end of the first two series. While the mine itself is not one of the Poldark filming locations, Wheal Coates is an abandoned tin mine, dramatically located on the edge of the cliffs, carpeted with gorse and heather.

Wheal Coates, St Agnes
Wheal Coates, St Agnes

Levant Mine and Beam Engine

Levant is a National Trust owned mine dating back to the 1870s. It has been well preserved and houses the only existing working steam beam engine. It’s known as a submarine mine, where the lodes extended for over a mile out to sea. In Poldark, these buildings appear as Tressiders Rolling Mill. I was shocked to learn that workers would collect the arsenic, with only cotton wool stuffed up their noses, and a cloth over their mouths, for protection from this deadly poison.

Levant Mine, Poldark filming locations
Levant Mine, Poldark filming location

Botallack 

The mines at Botallack are part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. The mines at Botallack produced tin, copper and arsenic. The Poldark film locations of Wheal Grace and Wheal Leisure can be found here (West Wheal Owles). As well as the dramatically located Grambler (Wheal Crowns) – Francis Poldark’s mine, which he later lost to George Warleggan. Similar to the series, Wheal Owles was struck by a real-life tragedy in 1893 when floodwater trapped the miners underground.

It was here at Wheal Owles, that we came across the Poldark filming. After a long, long day hiking the SW Coast Path, we were stopped by a crewmember just before the mine, as they were about to shoot a scene. He escorted us across to ‘the other side’ while insisting that I didn’t dilly-dally. But I had good reason for dilly-dallying and I told him so. My feet were sore from walking 10 miles already that day…AND I’d just caught sight of Aidan Turner sitting up on the bank to my left! When we got to the other side, we found a group of onlookers (mainly female) watching the filming through their binoculars. Mr Skylark wasn’t as keen as me to hang around for a glimpse of Dr Enys, so we continued on our merry way.

While Wheal Owles is distinctly recognizable on-screen, it looks slightly different in real-life as it doesn’t have a roof. The production team CGI the roof for TV. Isn’t technology amazing?

Wheal Owles (aka Wheal Leisure) taken during filming Series 4
Wheal Owles (aka Wheal Leisure) taken during filming Series 4
Watching filming at Wheal Owles
Watching filming at Wheal Owles
The Crowns Engine Houses at Botallack, Poldark filming locations
The Crowns Engine Houses at Botallack

Gwennap Head

Gwennap Head sits between Land’s End and Porthgwarra. This dramatic headland has beautiful views across the Penwith Peninsula and has featured as one of the Poldark  locations in a number of horse-riding scenes. NCI Gwennap Head coastguard station can be found here. We were curious about the giant red cone as we walked over the headland. We later discovered it’s to warn ships of the dangers of the Runnel Stone. Gwennap Head is an important migratory route for many sea birds such as fulmars, guillemots, razorbills and cormorants.

Gwennap Head, Poldark Film Location
Gwennap Head, Poldark filming location

Porthgwarra

Once a thriving fishing cove, beautiful Porthgwarra is probably one of the most memorable Poldark filming locations. Because this is where Ross skinny-dips, whilst being watched by Demelza from the cliff top. It features again in a pilchard fishing scene. Porthgwarra is also the location of the tunnel where Ross kept his boat, used by Mark Daniels to escape. There’s a cute little café here if you’re feeling peckish. It stayed open during an overnight filming session, serving pasties to the cast and crew. Keep your eyes peeled and you may spot some seals swimming out at sea.

Porthgwarra, Poldark film location
Porthgwarra, Poldark filming location

Penberth Cove

This picture-perfect, stone hamlet appears as the village where many of Dr Enys’ patients live. In more recent series, Penberth takes an even bigger starring role as the location of the home of Demelza’s brothers. Demelza and Prudie are seen rushing across the stepping-stones over the stream, to go to the aid of a lady giving birth.

Fishing boats at Penberth, Poldark filming location
Fishing boats at Penberth, Poldark filming location
Penberth Cove from the SW Coast Path
Penberth Cove from the SW Coast Path

 

To find out more about the Poldark filming locations, you can download an app from Visit Cornwall.

Are you a fan of Poldark and have you been to any of the filming locations in Cornwall? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

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8 Comments

  • Karan

    June 11, 2018

    Hi Sara, these are stunning photos! After watching Poldark last night, I was just wondering where it is filmed – so this really helps in planning our next trip in our camper to Cornwall in a few weeks.
    Thank you for sharing!
    Karan

    Reply
    • Skylark

      June 12, 2018

      Hi Karan. Thank you! I hope you get to explore some of the locations during your travels. They really are so beautiful.

      Reply
  • Gloria

    June 12, 2018

    Once again these are fabulous photos. I’ve not been along that part of the Cornish Coast. It looks really beautiful. I hope to get down there one day soon.

    Reply
    • Skylark

      June 12, 2018

      Thank you. These really are some stunning spots to visit if you get a chance to head down to Cornwall.

      Reply
  • Kim

    June 27, 2018

    Amazing to think these are all in a Cornwall! We have such a beautiful country!

    Talking Poldark, I’ve recently interviewed the owner of Chavenage House which is the setting for Trenwith, the Poldark family home. I also interviewed the location manager – it’s amazing what goes into being a filming location for a tv series such as this!

    Reply
    • Skylark

      June 28, 2018

      We’re so lucky. Sounds an amazing opportunity! Yes, it’s fascinating to have a glimpse behind the scenes.

      Reply
  • Kim G Butler

    December 15, 2020

    I am so enamored of Poldark. I have been binging for a few weeks now. Such beautiful scenery. With COVID-19 and being in the states; it’s unlikely I’ll ever get there. Your photos are magnificent. Really would like to visit but I doubt that dream will come true. Btw; I’m outraged they stopped the series. So many in the states love it!!!

    Reply
    • Skylark

      January 18, 2021

      Hi Kim. Thank you for your comment. I really loved Poldark too. It’s very sad it has come to an end. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit Cornwall one day. It is such a beautiful place to visit and it’s fascinating to see remnants of the mining industry.

      Reply

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