It may be set in a fictional town in Devon but much of the filming is in Cornwall
BBC hit series Beyond Paradise may not have the exotic Caribbean backdrop of its parent show, Death in Paradise, but it still has some eye-catching locations.
The spin-off show, starring Kris Marshall as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman and Sally Bretton as his fiancée Martha Lloyd, is set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott in Devon.
However, in reality, many of the filming locations for the series are in the neighbouring county of Cornwall, including the coastal town used to recreate Shipton Abbott.
Speaking about his experience of filming in the South West, Marshall said: “I absolutely love filming by the coast.
“I’m a big fan of getting my “vitamin sea” – whether it’s surfing or swimming, being by the water makes me happy.”
While his co-star Zahra Ahmadi, who plays DS Esther Williams, said: “Kris and I often reflect on how lucky we are to work in such stunning locations.
“Even when the terrain is tricky or the weather isn’t great you can’t help but feel grateful.”
As series three gets underway on BBC One on Friday 28 March, we take a look at some of the places the Beyond Paradise team have used for the show.
Looe, Cornwall (Shipton Abbott)
Key among the many locations on the south west coast used by the Beyond Paradise team is the pretty fishing town of Looe.
Even though the series is set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott in Devon, filming for many of the town shots actually takes place in Looe, Cornwall.
Fore Street in Looe has become Shipton Abbott market square, Looe Bridge is used for Shipton Abbott’s and The Guildhall in the Cornish town is the setting for Shipton Abbott’s police station.
Ahmadi said: “We’re well established there now and really well supported.
“I love that people can come and watch us film in those places.
“It’s nice to have a live audience sometimes.
“When you go to drama school, you train predominantly in theatre, but when you work in TV you don’t always get that live element.
“So, having people watch while we film in places like Looe is special.”
While Dylan Llewellyn, who appears as PC Kelby Hartford, said: “Looe is always one of my favourite locations.
“It’s such a lovely spot and the people there are so accommodating, always great sports when we’re filming.”
Rame Head, Cornwall
Rame Head is a dramatic headland just outside Plymouth and within the bounds of Cornwall, which is part of the South West Coast Path.
Situated at the highest point is a medieval chapel, which once doubled as a hermitage and lighthouse.
Marshall said it is one of his favourite locations for filming the series.
He said: “It offers stunning views and has a fascinating abandoned military site, complete with old tanks and artillery steps.
“It’s a great spot for filming, and after work you can head down to a secret cove for a swim.”
There is a car park at the headland for those unable to get their on foot, details are here.
Mothecombe Bay, Devon
Mothecombe, a sandy beach on the south coast of Devon about 10 miles from Plymouth, was also a regular site for filming Beyond Paradise.
It can only be accessed on foot and is a 10-15 minute walk from the nearest car park.
“Another favourite is Mothecombe Beach, which is a secluded spot only accessible on foot”, said Marshall, “We sometimes film there at night, and the little bathing house on the rocks makes for a perfect green room.
“It’s a cosy spot with a wood burner and is the perfect place to relax between takes.”
For those wanting to visit the beach, access details are here.
Saltash, Devon
Saltash is a town just inside the border of Cornwall, facing the city of Plymouth across the Tamar River.
It is often referred to as the gateway to Cornwall.
The Weary Friar Inn in the town has been used for filming some of the pub scenes for the series.
And Anne Lloyd’s house is located nearby at the quay on the Pentillie Estate in St Mellion.
The Pentillie Castle and Estate is not open to the public but can be hired for weddings, corporate events and filming.
Charlestown, Cornwall
The harbour village of Charlestown, just outside St Austell on the south coast of Cornwall, was the backdrop for one episode of series three.
Filming took a place around the harbour and out at sea last September.
Zahra Ahmadi, who plays DS Esther Williams, said it’s “hard to pick” a favourite location for filming, but “Charlestown stands out”.
“It’s gorgeous and we stayed at a lovely hotel nearby in St. Austell”, she said, “We even invited some of the staff who we’d got to know to set on their days off which was a lot of fun.”
Port Eliot House & Gardens, St Germans, Cornwall
Port Eliot House and Gardens in St Germans, inland between Looe and Plymouth, is used extensively for filming Beyond Paradise.
Martha’s restaurant, The Ten Mile Kitchen, is actually The Stables cafe on the estate.
While Port Eliot House is used as the Shipton Abbott Manor House in the show.
Port Eliot is a Grade I listed stately home and priory, set in gardens and landscaped parkland.
Both the house and the grounds are open to the public, details on opening times and admission prices are here.
Launceston, Cornwall
Much of the fictional Shipton Abbott is filmed in Looe, but crews go inland for some of the street scenes.
The ancient market town of Launceston in Cornwall, 27 miles north west of Plymouth, is used to recreate Shipton Abbott’s high street.
Launceston was once the county town for Cornwall and has a Norman castle built by William the Conqueror’s half-brother.