Explore beauty behind the drama
IF YOU’RE MISSING VERA, WHY NOT VISIT THE PLACES THAT PROVIDE THE BACKDROP?
VERA fans have a little while to wait until the Northumberland-based detective show returns to our screens.
Filming is currently taking place across the North East for the eighth series of the ITV hit with actress Brenda Blethyn spotted in Whitley Bay this week.
Across all of the series, North East landscapes have provided the backdrop to the drama as viewers follow the cases of DCI Vera Stanhope.
Based on the bestselling books by crime writer Ann Cleeves, Vera and her team at the fictional Northumberland and City Police are tasked with solving compelling mysteries which take them on journeys around the North East.
The successful show has been credited with bringing an influx of visitors to the region, and if you just can’t wait for the new series, you can visit the locations which feature in previous episodes.
Parkdean Resorts – which has five holiday parks along the North East coastline – has identified five settings which have provided the famous settings to some of the dramatic scenes. 1. WHITLEY BAY BEACH, NORTH TYNESIDE
The golden beach, which has picked up a Blue Flag Award, has been the setting of numerous moments in previous episodes. With the picturesque promenade and striking St Mary’s lighthouse, it resembles an image straight from a postcard. Expect to see more from Whitley Bay in series eight as the crew have been spotted there.
2. THE FARNE ISLANDS, NORTHUMBERLAND
Series seven sees DCI Stanhope investigate the death of a wildlife ranger on a remote island at a bird sanctuary – filmed on the Farne Islands.
The Farne Islands lie three miles off the Northumberland coast and are open to tourists who can visit on boat trips to explore and look out for the various species of seabirds which live there.
3. NOSE’S POINT, DURHAM
This beautiful stretch of coastline from Newcastle to Hartlepool can be seen in the fifth series of the show. The England Coast Path runs directly through Nose’s Point and offers a panoramic viewing platform with clear sight all the way to North Yorkshire.
4. CRASTER, NORTHUMBERLAND
The small fishing village is home to the hidden cove of Rumbling Kern which was a key location for the dramatic events which unfolded in series seven. The award-winning secretive beach has lots to discover, including golden sands and rock pools which are a haven for sea life.
5. ALNWICK, NORTHUMBERLAND
The town provided a number of filming locations throughout series five which featured the market place. In real life, visitors can buy local produce, hunt for bargains and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere.
In preparation for the new series, Brenda Blethyn has been spotted dashing in and out of Vera’s trusty blue Land Rover in Newcastle city centre.
Spotlights and film crews could be seen on the Side close to St Nicholas Cathedral as scenes were recorded in early August.
The cast and crew have also been seen filming near the Northumberland coast at Seaton Delaval, Blyth and Seaton Sluice.
The show has also ventured around Dunstanburgh Castle and the industrial backdrop of the former Swan Hunter shipyard in Wallsend in the past.
Ann Cleeves, the author whose series of Vera Stanhope novels inspired the award-winning series, writes a new book every other year, alternating it with one for her Shetland series which has also been made into TV gold.
And, with the TV production team playing catch-up, there is set to be plenty more adaptations to look forward to on the small screen.
The new series of Vera is expected to air in spring 2018.