The Ultimate Guide to Poldark Filming Locations in Cornwall

Walk in Ross Poldark’s footsteps and discover the real landscapes behind the series

“The most peaceful few days we’ve had in years — Chyvounder has so much charm, and the village is beautiful. We’ll definitely be back.”
— Sophie & Tom, Bristol

Where Was Poldark Filmed? Discover the Real Cornwall Behind the Series

Few television series have showcased Cornwall as powerfully as Poldark.

From wild clifftops and hidden smugglers’ coves to granite cottages and historic harbours, the landscape became as central to the story as Ross and Demelza themselves.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Where was Nampara filmed?

Is Wheal Leisure a real place?

Can you visit the Poldark beaches?

Where were the smuggling scenes shot?

This complete guide brings together every major filming location in Cornwall, with practical travel insight — and why West Cornwall makes the ideal base for your Poldark-inspired escape.

Some imagery on this page has been thoughtfully recreated to capture the mood and atmosphere of Poldark’s Cornwall. While inspired by real locations, certain visuals are artistic interpretations.

Explore Every Major Poldark Filming Location in Cornwall

From Wheal Leisure’s dramatic clifftops to Nampara’s windswept moorland and the hidden smugglers’ coves of the Lizard Peninsula — plan your journey across Cornwall’s most iconic filming sites.

Botallack Mines (Wheal Leisure)

Visit Botallack Mines, the real-life Wheal Leisure from Poldark.

Penberth Cove

Tucked down a narrow winding lane between Newlyn and Lamorna, this tiny harbour feels untouched by time.

Porthcurno Beach (Nampara Cove)

Visit Porthcurno Beach, the real Nampara Cove from Poldark.

Bodmin Moor Cottages

Across the series of Poldark, Ross and Demelza’s cottage at Nampara, the miners’ cottages and Dr Dwight Enys’s modest home are central to the story.

Charlestown Harbour

Charlestown Harbour provided the authentic Georgian port backdrop for several harbour and shipping scenes

Bodmin Jail

Few Poldark scenes are as emotionally charged as those involving Jim Carter’s imprisonment.

Find More Poldark Film Locations

A 7-Day Poldark Filming Locations Itinerary

One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is trying to rush Cornwall in two or three days. The landscapes that made Poldark so powerful deserve time — changing light, shifting weather, and space to breathe.
By basing yourself in West Cornwall, you can explore the most iconic locations without constantly moving accommodation.
Here’s a perfectly paced 7-day Poldark itinerary.

Day 1 – Wheal Leisure: Botallack & Levant

Start with the most iconic setting of all — Wheal Leisure.

Visit:

Botallack Mines

Levant Mine

Cape Cornwall

Walk the cliff paths and take time for photography. Sunset here is unforgettable.

Travel time from Chyvounder: 10–15 minutes

Return in the evening and unwind in your private garden — you’ve just stood in the heart of Poldark’s world.

Day 2 – Nampara Cove & The Western Edge

Visit:

Porthcurno Beach (Nampara Cove)

Minack Theatre (for panoramic views)

Porthgwarra tunnel (opening credits location)

Walk through the famous tunnel at Porthgwarra and step into one of the most recognisable scenes from the series.

Travel time: 20 minutes

Day 3 – Smugglers & Shipwreck Coast (The Lizard)

Visit:

Church Cove (Gunwalloe)

Dollar Cove

Kynance Cove

Predannack Wollas

This day explores the darker coastal drama — shipwrecks, smuggling and hidden coves.

Check tide times for maximum impact.

Travel time: 40–50 minutes

Day 4 – St Michael’s Mount & Mount’s Bay

Visit:

Walk the tidal causeway to St Michael's Mount.

Explore Marazion Beach and enjoy a slower coastal afternoon.

Travel time: 20 minutes

Day 5 – Bodmin Moor & Nampara

Drive inland to explore:

St Breward (Nampara exterior setting)

Miners’ cottages area

Dwight’s cottage area

Rough Tor or Brown Willy

The moor brings a different atmosphere — open, rugged, windswept.

Travel time: 1 hr 15 mins

Day 6 – Georgian Cornwall: Charlestown Harbour

Visit Charlestown Harbour — the Georgian port backdrop for trading scenes.

Walk the harbour walls and imagine ships arriving with cargo and tension.

Travel time: 1 hr 30 mins

Day 7 – Hidden Cornwall & Relaxation

Keep your final day relaxed and local:

Penberth Cove

Prussia Cove

Lamorna coastal walk

Newlyn harbour

These quieter spots bring intimacy back to your journey.

Travel time: 15–25 minutes

Spend your final evening watching the West Cornwall sunset — the same Atlantic horizon that framed Ross Poldark’s story.

Frequently Asked Questions About Poldark Filming Locations in Cornwall

Where was Poldark filmed in Cornwall?

Poldark was filmed across Cornwall, with many of the most iconic scenes shot in West Cornwall. Key locations include Botallack Mines (Wheal Leisure), Porthcurno Beach (Nampara Cove), Porthgwarra, Church Cove, Kynance Cove, St Michael’s Mount, and Bodmin Moor.

West Cornwall has the highest concentration of recognisable filming sites.

Is Wheal Leisure a real mine?

Wheal Leisure is fictional, but it was filmed primarily at Botallack Mines and Levant Mine in West Cornwall. These historic clifftop engine houses provided the dramatic backdrop for Ross Poldark’s mining scenes.

Both locations are now preserved by the National Trust and are open to visitors.

Can you visit Nampara in real life?

The exterior of Nampara was filmed at a private farmhouse near St Breward on Bodmin Moor. While the exact property is not open to the public, visitors can explore the surrounding moorland and village area to experience the same landscape seen in the series.