SOME places in the UK are especially memorable thanks to television series that have been filmed there, particularly in the south of England.
The pretty village of Looe is famous for being the backdrop of Beyond Paradis and Port Isaac was used for years in Martin Clunes‘ series Doc Martin – now the Lizard peninsula is set to be big thanks to the HBOHarry Potter series.
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Cast of the new Harry Potter series have been seen filming on the Lizard peninsulaCredit: AlamyThe peninsula has steep cliffs and hidden covesCredit: Parkdean
The beach on the cove is split in two, one part is where you’ll find the fishing boats, and the other is where visitors and locals will go swimming, snorkelling and rock pooling.
Further around Cadgwith Cove is a 200-foot blowhole called the ‘Devil’s Frying Pan’.
The village itself is full of chocolate-box looking cottages, and anyone wanting to stay in Cadgwith Cove can do so at the local inn.
Harry Potter is also expected to film in Kynance Cove, a tidal beach famous for its white sand, turquoise sea and rock stacks.
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Anyone can visit Kynance Cove, but there is a small fee for parking – unless you’re a National Trust member.
It’s worth the trip though with some visitors even describing it as “the best beach, give you Portugal vibes”.
Others describe it as a “Cornish gem”, however, there are warnings of strong waves and fast-rising tides.
While there aren’t many facilities, there is a cafe on the beach that serves sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes, pasties and hot drinks.
For more budget-friendly holiday stay option on the peninsula, Brits can head to Lizard Point Holiday Park run by Parkdean Resorts.
The site is closed for the winter season, but reopens in March next year.
Actor John Lithgow who plays Albus Dumbledore was seen filming in Cadgwith CoveCredit: Alamy
A five-night stay in May on a Trelan Caravan with a flatscreen TV, comfy sofas and sleeps up to six starts from £219, which is £7.30pppn.
The Compass Bungalow is the same price but sleeps up to four people; however, it is more spacious and has a brand new kitchen and bathroom.
Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, kart and bike hire, children’s shows from PAW Patrol to Milkshake Mornings.
Kids can also check out the soft play, amusement arcade, bungee trampoline, adventure golf, high ropes, table tennis, football as well as art and craft sessions.
There are on-site bars and restaurants, an ice cream parlour, drinks van and Street Eats for takeaways.
Port Isaac further north became so well-known after being used as the filming location for the BBC Doc Martin series that ran for 18 years.
It became the fictional village of Portwenn, showing off its clusters of stone cottages and narrow streets.
Port Isaac on the Cornwall coast was used as the backdrop of Doc MartinCredit: Getty ImagesBeyond Paradise is filmed in the coastal town of Looe in DevonCredit: Red Planet Pictures, Joss Barratt
The spin-off to Death in Paradise started in 2023 and is set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott. The beaches of Looe and Fore Street are popular locations and the Guildhall is what they use for the Shipton Abbott Police Station.
Martha’s restaurant, The Ten Miles Kitchen, is filmed in The Stables, Port Eliot House & Gardens a cafe 20 minutes inland from Looe in the parish of St Germans.
It’s a great place to pop in for a coffee or brunch and a look over the garden estate.
On Barry Island itself, there’s the famous Marco’s Cafe and the Arcade where Nessa worked the slots.
Just up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy’s local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin – where pints cost £4, according to reviews left by guests.
Midsomer Murders
In rural Oxfordshire there is one of the deadliest villages around, Midsomer. ITV’s Midsomer Murders is filmed mostly in the quaint and historic town of Wallingford.
Wallingford isn’t the only location used. Just 30 minutes up the road is the village of Thame which also doubles as Causton village.
In Thame, the Spread Eagle, a red-brick hotel that serves up four roast mains on a Sunday, has been used for filming. They’ve also used The Black Horse, which has monthly offers from Happy Hour to deals on main courses.
Rumsey’s Chocolaterie has also appeared on-screen, and it’s worth a trip there just for the hot chocolates alone. They also offer workshops where you can make truffles and chocolate figurines.
At the Thame Museum, they offer a free Midsomer Walking Tour leaflet and there’s an opportunity to have a photo taken next to the ‘Causton Town Hall’ sign.
Grassington becomes the fictional market town of Darrowby and there are lots of familiar sights, as most of the village is used for filming.
The production team dress up shop fronts, with The Stripey Badger Bookshop becoming G F Engleby Grocers and The Devonshire transforming into the Drovers Arms.
The traditional family pub is very highly rated and offers everything from hearty breakfasts to Sunday lunch. It even offers ‘Dining for Dogs’ with ‘Diced Chuck Steak Doggy Dinner’ or ‘Sausage Stew’ on the menu.
For the chance to spot some filming, plan a trip in late Spring, early Summer as the cast begin with the Christmas special around that time.
Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife has returned for series fourteen and there are plenty of locations from over the years to visit for free.
In the latest series, the ladies of Nonnatus house took a trip to the seaside which was filmed on West Wittering beach, in Sussex.
Another recognisable location is the lighthouse from the 2019 Christmas Special, where Nurse Val and Nurse Lucille go to Scotland.
It’s actually the Eilean Glas Lighthouse on the east coast of the island of Scalpay. To get there, park in the village of Kennavay and take the 30-minute trail. The building also operates as a small museum and serves tea and coffee during open hours.
Shetland
Talking of Scotland, Shetland is the filming location for Shetland, obviously. The TV series starring Ashley Jensen is filmed in the main town and port, Lerwick.
The most recognisable spot of Lodberries House, which was the home of former lead DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).
Another popular location for the show is Commercial Street, which has featured in almost every single series of Shetland ever.
There are also lots of other iconic locations in Lerwick, including Lerwick Town Hall, Bain’s Beach and Lerwick Harbour.
The pretty harbour town stuns throughout the year, but autumn could be the perfect season for a relaxed visit
The ‘delightful’ harbour town is popular with visitors(Image: Getty)
Coastal lovers know the perfect spot for anyone seeking a quiet escape with peaceful walks and splendid views. For anyone who finds themselves near Cornwall, Fowey could offer an ideal autumn day out or staycation.
The pretty harbour town attracts visitors year-round, but there’s lots to charm autumn visitors, who might like to take in the atmospheric cobbled streets and less-crowded coastal walks with a hot chocolate in hand. Ruby’s Ice Cream, which offers ice cream shops in Cornwall, praised Fowey as an autumn destination in a recent social media video.
Taking to TikTok, @rubysicecreamshop shared a post titled: “7 reasons you should visit Fowey this Autumn.” The list read:
1. The artisanal shops and cafes2. The dining3. The ferry across to Polruan4. The hot chocolates5. The quiet coastal walks6. The bakeries7. The ice cream
Visit Cornwall describes Fowey as “perfect for exploring.” The tourism board’s website says: “Perched on the banks of a deep river, Fowey is a picturesque town overflowing with history.
“Dating back to medieval times, its narrow cobbled streets are now lined with Victorian and Edwardian buildings which cascade towards the water’s edge.
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“Fowey’s natural deep-water harbour and sheltered waters established it as an important trading hub throughout the centuries for tin, copper and China clay – the latter of which is still exported from the area today.
“The town sits within the South Coast – Eastern National Landscape and is bordered by farmland, rugged coastline and pretty beaches. The meandering creeks of the river wind through ancient oak woodlands, making the area perfect for exploring.”
On TripAdvisor, the Fowey Estuary has hundreds of excellent ratings. One reviewer wrote: “Whenever we visit this part of Cornwall, we always try to get to visit Fowey. There are plenty of pubs, cafes, and restaurants to choose from, and a good selection of shops, including some local independents.
“We always make time to walk out to Readymoney Cove, and sometimes also St Catherine’s Fort, enjoying the views of the estuary along the way. There are toilets and a small beach shop at Readymoney Cove.”
Another visitor said: “What a delightful place. We parked at the top of the town and walked down. This is quite steep for anyone who may have difficulty walking. The lovely streets with quaint shops enable you to just meander down to the estuary. But you just have to buy some delicious Cornish pasties too.”
Someone else praised: “What a beautiful place, loads to do around the town with some of the best restaurants, great shops and fantastic views. Will be back again.” Another fan wrote: “Great place to unwind, and chill on the river. Fowey Town has a thriving mix of restaurants pubs and variety on entertainment to easily keep you there for a week.”
Lynsey said: “A crowd-pleasing family pack for a good price”Credit: Oliver Dixon
Lynsey says: “These pasties came out smelling very appetising and they had a lovely pepperiness on the tongue.
“They are huge, proper wedges, and I liked the flakiness of the puff pastry.
“There’s a good helping of beef at 18 per cent and these had one of the highest levels of swede, at nine per cent.
“A crowd-pleasing family pack for a good price.”
Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 9/10
Asda Cornish Pasties (520g)
£2.74 for 4 (68.5p each)
Nutrition: 364 calories, 23g fat, 2.3g sugar, 0.86g salt
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The pasties were 18% beefCredit: Asda
Lynsey says: “Not the tastiest but they are good value and they are filled with a generous 18 per cent beef.
“The filling was dense but a lot of it was onion and it was definitely lacking in swede.
“It’s alright for a meal or snack but I fear pasty purists would not like this.”
Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Overall score: 4/10
Morrisons Cornish Pasties (520g)
£3.20 (80p each)
Nutrition: 373 calories, 25.1g fat, 2.1g sugar, 1.16g salt
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Morrisons’ pasties could have had more vegetablesCredit: Oliver Dixon
Lynsey says: “Very similar to the Tesco pasties with a generous 19 per cent beef.
“The pastry was well cooked and they gave a nice peppery hit on the tongue.
“Perhaps too much spud – I’d have preferred more vegetables.
“Whilst there was seven per cent swede, there was no carrot that I could detect and too much onion.
“Overly salty, too.
“Over 17p more each than the Tesco pasties and not as nice.”
Taste: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 6/10
M&S Cornish Pasties (300g)
£3.50 for 2 (£1.75 each)
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Lynsey said: “It was incredibly tasty”Credit: Oliver Dixon
Lynsey says: “Unlike lots of other pasties we tried, this one was made with flaky pastry.
“It was a little fragile with lots of pastry breaking off when I tried to heat it in the oven.
“It was incredibly tasty though.
“The pastry was well-baked and the pasty itself was generously filled with heaps of meat, potato and swede.
“The meat is beef skirt, as per the traditional recipe, which made this juicy and lovely.
“Pricey – but a cut above the other supermarket options.”
Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 9/10
Aldi Crestwood Beef and Vegetable Pasty (200g)
69p for 1 (69p each)
Nutrition: 544 calories, 28.5g fat, 3.1g sugar, 1.55g salt
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Aldi’s filling was bland and sloppyCredit: Oliver Dixon
Lynsey says: “Aldi’s pasty has a Devon ‘crimp’ which means it is sealed on the top rather than traditional Cornish-style on the side.
“It looks great, very substantial and you can’t argue with the price.
“But the filling was bland and sloppy.
“It was lacking meaty flavour and the chunky texture you’d expect.
“Although there was 17 per cent beef, it was potato heavy and the carrots and swede inside were a bit mulchy.
“Very high in fat and calorific too.”
Taste: 2/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 5/10
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Waitrose Mini Cornish Pasties (180g)
£3.75 for 6 (63.5p each)
Nutrition: 90 calories, 5.60g fat, 0.60g sugar, 0.19g salt
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Waitrose’s pasties come to 63.5p eachCredit: Oliver Dixon
Lynsey says: “Little pockets of delicious pastry but filled with air.
“The filling was nice but there was really only a teaspoon in each one.
“I enjoyed them immensely and loved the tiny size for a snack.
“They were incredibly moreish and I kept eating one every time I opened the fridge.
“I liked the meaty flavour of the beef and there was lots of swede.
“Whilst they contained palm oil like many of the others, it was sustainable.
“However, for the price, I’d have liked them to be fuller.”
Taste: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 7/10
Lidl Chef Select Cornish Pasty (200g)
Nutrition: 597 calories, 35g fat, 3.7g sugar, 2.1g salt
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Lynsey said “you could easily make a meal out of this”Credit: Oliver Dixon
Lynsey says: “Lidl‘s pasty was hefty and one of the most appetising on offer.
“After 20 minutes in the oven, the pastry was really nice and flaky and the filling was hearty and flavoursome.
“The meat was tender and not chewy and there as no gristle.
“Surprisingly, it was more expensive for a single pasty than many others, but it was huge so I still felt for less than a £1 it was excellent value for money.
“You could easily make a meal out of this.”
Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 10/10
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
