Enjoy England at its dramatic best
FROM the latest adaptation of Swallows And Amazons to the much-loved Sherlock series, England’s lovely landscape forms the backdrop for some of our favourite films and TV shows. Here,
KATIE ROWE explores a few of the best dramatic settings to visit.
A SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS ADVENTURE IN CUMBRIA
YOU can walk in the footsteps of the stars of the new Swallows And Amazons film, released on August 19. Go on your very own adventure on Coniston Water, where the four mini-explorers set sail for Peel Island, or Wild Cat Island as it’s known in the film.
Swap sails for Victorian steam power aboard the good ship Gondola. This original Victorian steamship, built in 1859, glides gracefully across the water every day, passing the Old Man, a famous fell soaring 2,634ft into the sky. Take a seat in the sumptuous saloon and soak up wondrous scenery before stopping off at Brantwood, a charming country house and gardens once home to the writer and artist John Ruskin.
SEE POLDARK’S CORNWALL
THE second season of Poldark kicks off in the autumn, but you can experience the dramatic coastal scenes for yourself this summer. Explore sprawling moors and blissful beaches by walking sections of the South West Coastal Path, stopping off at the charming port of Charlestown and the pretty fishing hamlet of Porthgwarra. Better still, take a leaf out of Poldark’s book and saddle up with Hallagenna Riding. Their themed trail offers a two- or four-hour trek navigating Bodmin Moor’s rugged wilds where you’ll see Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest point, come across numerous ancient settlements and drink up panoramic views from Rough Tor.
STALK BRISTOL’S STREETS IN SEARCH OF SHERLOCK
VISIT the charming streets and iconic sites that filtered into the life of the world’s most famous fictional detective. The hugely popular BBC production, back for a fourth season in early 2017, uses locations across the city. The Bristol Film Office has made it easy to retrace the footsteps of Benedict Cumberbatch, creating an online Google Movie Map pinpointing sites used in the tense Guy Fawkes moment in The Empty Hearse and John Watson’s memorable wedding i in The Sign Of Three. Load up the map o on your phone and d discover many of th the city’s grand la landmarks, including B Bristol Cathedral, Queen Square and Arnos Vale Cemetery.
DISCOVERD ‘BROAD-CHURCH’ IN DORSET
TH THE third series is be being filmed right no now, so why not head do down to West Bay ne near Bridport to h hopefully catch a glimpse of the stars in action?
It’s easy to see why the show’s producers chose this coastal spot. The scenery here provides as much drama as Broadchurch’s plotlines, with towering, honeycomb-coloured cliffs dating back 185 million years.
Along with Broadchurch’s stars, David Tennant and Olivia Colman, this show-stopping slice of England’s first natural World Heritage Site also plays a leading role.
Find more ideas at visitengland.com.