Rolling the Cornish Cameras

January 12, 2026

Literature can be as unpredictable as the Cornish coast; weather dependant, walking boots preferable, and the potential of a cliff hanger. Writers are inspired to paint Cornwall on a piece of paper, to portray a Cornwall that all visitors have experienced on their journey to the south-west.

Jamaica Inn
Written by Daphne Du Maurier

Inspired by: Jamaica Inn located on Bodmin Moor.
Synopsis: Following a death of a family member, Mary Yellan ventures from Helston to Bodmin, staying at her Auntie's - The Jamaica Inn. Mary soon discovers the darkness and harsh realities of the Moorlands.

The Cornish House
Written by Liz Fenwick

Inspired by: "It’s raw and primeval, and it provides an evocative backdrop for human actions and so makes the ideal setting for a book and a character in and of itself.". Reflects Cornish life as a whole, rather than one place.
Synopsis: Inheriting property after her husband's death, artist Maddie struggles with grief, her stepdaughter, and artistic inspiration, whilst learning the rich history absorbed in the house's structure.
Salt Path
Written by Raynor Winn

Inspired by: The 630 mile coastal peninsula connects readers, and visitors, back to the natural world. Inspired by coastal towns located on the south west path; Padstow, Bude, Newquay, Hollywell, Port Isaac.
Synopsis: Accumulation of debt, betrayal and poor health, Ray and Moth decide to just 'walk'. A 630 mile coastal walk from Minehead to Poole. Relying on a weekly £40, they reconnect with nature, tackling coastal weathers and begin to face the wind head high again.

Mousehole Cat
Written by Antonia Barber

Inspired by: Visits and research into Cornish folklore, surrounding fishing stories in the town of Mousehole, Cornwall. Folklore that to this day is still celebrated - Tom Bowcock’s Eve, 23rd December.
Synopsis: Storms sit patiently outside the harbour of Mousehole, the 'storm cat' awaiting its prey and luring the fishing boats into its crashing waves. A man and his cat venture out into the storm, in a quest to bring back fish for the hungry villagers, to make the famous 'star-gazy' pie.

Bone China 
Written by Laura Purcell

Inspired by: A 'breath of fresh air', escaping to Cornwall for new starts. Cornish folklore of fairies and rituals. China clay played a pivotal part in location inspiration, drawing in ideas from Charlestown, Helston, and places such as Falmouth, Bodmin Moor and Carlyon Bay.
Synopsis: Consumption drives a family towards the Cornish coast, exploring how the 'sea coast' can cure the disease. Years later, Hester Why discovers that as she flees her own past, she is met by the family's secrets and dangerous past. 

The Mermaid of Zennor
Written by Charles Causley

Inspired by: Mermaid folklore around the town of Zennor, North West Cornwall. 
Synopsis: Where the sea kisses the land, stands a church. The mysterious woman sits in the pew and falls in love with the villager. Ignorant to the woman's nature, both man and maid disappear into the waters and Zennor will tell of legends of the man that fell in love with the mermaid.

The Cornish Girls
Written by Betty Walker

Inspired by: Cornish escapism during WW2. Set in Porthcurno, the hub of the Eastern Telegraph Company’s international links.
Synopsis:  Venturing to Cornwall during the London Blitz, a group of women adjust to their new way of life, navigating love, grief and friendship, and showing strength above all else.


If Alfred Hitchcock is Neil Armstrong, then Polperro was his moon. Better known for his directing of Psycho (1960) and Vertigo (1958), Hitchcock became the first to capture Cornwall from behind a lens, with his work on 'The Manxman' (1929), enchanting the audience to a silent, black and white perception of the Cornish south coast. Cornwall soon became an inspiration to film makers and watchers alike.


Poldark

Written by Debbie Horsfield, Inspired by Winston Grahame 'Poldark'


Synopsis:  Upon returning to Cornwall from the American Revolutionary war, Captain Poldark met with debt and turmoil, as the series chronical struggles of the time; financial and socio-economic struggles, and the hardships of the mining industry.

Film Locations: St Just (Botallack Mine, Levant Mine and Beam Engine), St Agnes (Chapel Porth and Head), Helston (Gunwalloe), Newquay (Hollywell), and Porthcurno.

Doc Martin

Written by Dominic Minghella


Synopsis: Relocating from London as a Surgeon, Doc Martin takes up residency is Port Wenn, Cornwall as a local GP. The series follows the doctor through the trials and tribulations of small village life, and his socially challenged persona deals with this.

Film Locations:  Port Isaac, Port Quin, Bodmin Moor and its surrounding areas, Godrevy, Gunwalloe, Tintagel.


Ladies in Lavender

Directed by Charles Dance, Inspired by William Locke 'The Sisters'


Synopsis:  Set in Pre-War Cornwall, two sisters rescue a mysterious foreign man from the beachy shores, with a particular gift. An unexpected friendship forms, despite reluctancy from the neighbours.

Film Locations:  Rosudgeon, Cadgwith, Lizard Peninsula, St Ives.

About Time

Written and Directed by Richard Curtis.


Synopsis:  A young man discovers that he has the ability to time travel, and uses this new information to find a girlfriend. The shy awkward man relocates from Cornwall to London, using his new found gift to find love, and alter reality to ensure nothing goes wrong.

Film Locations:  Porthpean, Truro, Portloe.

The Witches

Directed by Nicolas Roeg, Inspired by Roald Dahl 'The Witches'


Synopsis:  Whilst on a holiday in Cornwall, a boy and his Grandmother discover a witch convention occurring at the hotel. Detesting children, the Witches are preparing to rid the Country of children, and it is up to the boy to stop them transitioning child to rodent.

Film Locations:  Headland hotel, Newquay

Tim Burton Movies


Alice in Wonderland

Directed by Tim Burton, Inspired by Lewis Carroll 'Alice in Wonderland'


Synopsis:  Falling victim to curiosity, Alice descends into Wonderland, bequeathed as the saviour against the Jabberwocky, ending the Queen of Heart's reign. 

Film Locations:  Charlestown, Torpoint


Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Directed by Tim Burton, Inspired by Random Riggs 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'

Synopsis:  Unravelling time and space, Jake finds himself in the mystery of Miss Peregrine's Home; a secret world for children with unusual powers.

Film Location:  Portholland, Bodmin Moor, Veryan.

A Valentines on the Coast

By undefined • February 3, 2026
Truro Cathedral 'Valentine's Piano by Candlelight' 19:30 - 21:30 - £25< https://www.trurocathedral.org.uk/whats-on/london-concertante-valentine-s-piano-by-candlelight-sat-14-feb-2026-07-30-pm Bodmin Jail Dining Experience £160 for 2 https://www.bodminjailhotel.com/valentines-day-at-bodmin-jail-hotel/ The Poly 'Breathless' (1960) Screening 19:30 - £8.50 https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/4291/breathless-1960-12a Camel Valley Vineyard 'Tour and Tasting' 17:00 - £30 https://www.camelvalley.com/tours Boat Trip Times and Prices Dependent https://www.falmouthboathire.co.uk/book-online

Dynnargh Dhe Kernow

By undefined • January 22, 2026
'Welcome to Cornwall'
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