Where Is Beyond Paradise Filmed Uk

You know that feeling when you’re halfway through a cozy crime drama, and you suddenly think, “I could really use a holiday in that exact village right now”? That’s Beyond Paradise for you. It’s the spin-off that took the sunny side of Death in Paradise and planted it smack-dab in the middle of the British countryside. Except, spoiler alert: the actual filming spots are not all in one tidy postcard.

The Real Star Is a Place Called Looe

If you’ve ever been to a seaside town where the car park costs more than your dinner, you’ll nod at this. The main filming location for the fictional town of Shipton Abbott is actually Looe in Cornwall. Yes, that Looe—the one with the narrow streets, the smell of fish and chips, and seagulls that will absolutely steal your pasty if you blink.

Imagine walking down the quay and seeing DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) casually buying a pasty, only to realize it’s just a local bloke who happens to dress like a BBC detective. That’s Looe for you. It’s so charming that even the real-life traffic jams look like a scene from a Sunday afternoon soap.

Where the Magic Really Happens

The police station in the show? That’s actually the Guildhall in Looe, a historic building that’s about as cozy as a woolly jumper on a rainy day. Inside, it’s all creaky floors and friendly vibes—just without the murder boards. And the gorgeous harbour shots? Those are Looe’s East and West beaches, where the tide comes in so fast you’ll feel like you’re in a speed-dating event with the sea.

But wait—the show also cheekily borrows Dartmoor for its countryside scenes. Think rolling hills, dramatic skies, and sheep that look like they’re judging your driving. It’s the kind of landscape that makes you want to buy a raincoat and a dog, even if you’re allergic to both.

Why You’ll Recognise the Shops and Cafés

Remember that adorable café where the characters solve crimes over tea and scones? That’s actually The Old School House Bakery in Looe. I once popped in for a coffee and ended up eavesdropping on two locals arguing about the best way to keep seagulls off their bins. Very Beyond Paradise energy, honestly.

And the high street? It’s a mix of Looe’s real shops and a few set-dressed ones. Don’t be surprised if you walk past a hardware store that looks suspiciously like the one where Humphrey bought a bizarre gardening tool in episode three. The locals are used to it, but they’ll still give you a wink if you ask for directions to the fictional police station.

If you’re feeling adventurous, head to Polperro, a nearby village that doubles as a second location for Shipton Abbott. It’s so picturesque that even the seagulls seem to have agent representation. Just don’t try to park there in August—you’ll end up in a field with cows, and the cows will judge you.

The Secret Sauce: Cornwall vs. The Studio

Here’s the thing: not every scene is filmed in Cornwall. Some of the indoor shots—like Humphrey’s house—are actually filmed at BBC Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. That’s right: the same place where EastEnders lives is where Shipton Abbott’s living rooms are built. So when you see Humphrey making tea, he’s technically in a soundproof box just off the M1.

But the outdoor magic? That’s all real. The cliffs, the coves, the winding lanes where you can’t pass another car without someone having to reverse into a hedge—it’s pure, unadulterated Cornwall. And let’s be honest, the BBC is smart: they know we’d watch paint dry if it were painted against that backdrop.

Planning Your Own Pilgrimage

If you want to walk in Humphrey’s footsteps (without accidentally solving a crime), here’s the lowdown. First, Looe is easy to reach by train, which means you can pretend you’re a character arriving in a new town with a suitcase and a mystery. Just don’t expect a brass band to greet you—unless you count the seagulls.

Second, bring a coat. Cornwall has a special talent for serving up all four seasons in one afternoon. You’ll be squinting in the sun one minute, then huddled under a café awning the next. It’s like British weather decided to become a comedy show.

Finally, if you see a tall, slightly dishevelled man staring at a map and muttering, that’s probably just a tourist, not Kris Marshall. But you never know. Beyond Paradise is so woven into the landscape that the line between fiction and reality gets as blurry as your vision after too much Cornish cream tea.

The Takeaway (Which Is a Scone)

So, where is Beyond Paradise filmed? Ultimately, it’s filmed in the heart of every Brit’s dream: a place where the air smells like salt and pastry, where crimes are solved with a smile, and where the biggest local drama is whether the tide will ruin your picnic. It’s Looe, Polperro, Dartmoor, and a bit of studio magic—all mixed together like a perfect cream tea.

And honestly? If you ever find yourself there, don’t look for the film crew. Just sit down, eat a scone, and pretend you’re solving a case. Because that’s the real secret of Beyond Paradise: it makes a soggy Tuesday feel like a sunny Friday.