Poldark’s series came to an end with its fifth season in 2019, but that hasn’t stopped the show from inspiring travelers to discover the real-life Nampara Valley locations in Cornwall.

So much of this historical drama takes place outdoors, it’s nearly impossible not to get lost daydreaming about horse rides atop the cliffs and romantic rendezvous on the beach.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the second iteration of the Poldark television series or you’re just diving into the show, a visit to these Poldark filming locations in Cornwall will make you yearn for a revival.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Roger Driscoll. Image Location: Penberth Cove, Cornwall, England, UK

What to know about Poldark and its Cornish filming locations

Poldark is based on a series of novels written by Winston Graham; it’s actually the second time these books were translated to the screen. In 1975, BBC adapted the pages for a television series before doing so again in 2015. Let’s focus on the modern retelling, shall we?

What is Poldark about?

Poldark follows Ross Poldark, a British Army officer who returns home to Cornwall following the American Revolutionary War. As if losing a war wasn’t enough, his arrival home finds his father dead, his finances in a mess, and his true love engaged to his cousin. Naturally, he does what one does in such a situation: hires a maid and falls in love with her.

Where was Poldark filmed?

Poldark was filmed primarily in Cornwall, a county on the southwestern tip of England, its peninsula jutting out into the Celtic Sea. A little bit of filming also took place in Bristol and London, though these were mostly sound stages. 

What village is Poldark filmed in?

If you mean the village where Sam and Drake, Demelza Carne’s brothers, live, that would be Penberth Cove. As with many filming locations for Poldark in Cornwall, your best bet is to take the train to Penzance and make your way down to Penberth Cove by bus, or better yet, hiking the coastline to keep your carbon footprint low.

Where are the London scenes in Poldark filmed?

Hats off to Bristol for its brilliant portrayal of London. When Ross Poldark goes to London, he’s actually in Bristol’s St. Nicholas Market and the Kings Weston House. They even step outside of Bristol for a moment to use Bowood House & Gardens as a Hyde Park stand-in.

What beaches were Poldark filmed on?

You could plan a trip exploring only the Poldark beach filming locations of Poldark in Cornwall. Holywell Bay’s beach was used plenty; you’d know it best as the beach where Morwenna and Drake made wishes at the wishing well. As for Nampara Cove, Porthcurno, Porthcothan Beach, Hendra Beach, and Kynance Cove worked as a team to pull off one single staged place. 

Where is the house where Poldark was filmed?

If you’re hoping to knock on Ross Poldark’s door, you’ll need to go to Bodmin Moor. A farm house’s exterior was used for Poldark’s cottage, but that’s hardly the only piece of the Poldark puzzle. Some exterior shots were also taken in Bristol and on sound stages. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, PaulMaguire. Image Location: Charlestown, Cornwall, England, UK

Filming locations of Poldark

Here are a few of the immaculate landscapes and estates that Poldark locations in Cornwall showcased.

Charlestown

Nearest station: St Austell

The traditional village of Charlestown made for an excellent Truro in Poldark. It also doubles as Falmouth, most noticeable when Capt. Blamey looks out over Charlestown’s inner harbor from his home. Charlestown beach puts on a mask as well: it was the Isles of Scilly spot where Mark Daniels and Ross Poldark meet.

Porthcurno Beach

Nearest station: Penzance

Put Porthcurno Beach at the top of your Poldark beach filming locations checklist: it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Cornwall. But you already knew that from the first time you saw Nampara Cove on the TV. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Antclausen. Image Location: Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall, England, UK

Botallack

Nearest station: Penzance

Poldark locations in Cornwall like Botallack offered up a love letter to Cornish mining history. Wheal Grace, Wheal Leisure, and Wheal Grambler were filmed in these historic west Cornwall mines, with much of the filming location fees going to conservation and restoration of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Holywell Bay

Nearest station: Newquay

Another of the fantastic Poldark beach filming locations you mustn’t miss, Holywell Bay is the beachfront that the Warleggans own. Spend time on the sand eyeing Gull Rock’s twin peaks just offshore.

St Agnes Head

Nearest station: Newquay

While you’re in the Holywell Bay area, nearby St Agnes Head has another Poldark location in Cornwall to check out. Part of the Nampara Valley Poldark estate, you’ll find the cliffside Wheal Coates engine house here.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Iarigan - Patricia Hamilton. Image Location: Wheal Coates Mine, St Agnes, Cornwall, England, UK

High romance—by train

Planning a romantic trip to the filming locations of Poldark? Take the train. The Night Riviera sleeper train takes you from London Paddington station to Penzance. Download the Trainline app to book your train tickets around England and prepare for your trip with the advice below:

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, AL Hedderly. Image Location: Holywell Bay, Cornwall, England, UK

Ready to book your tickets?