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Film / TV Locations

Film-makers, TV researchers, poets, authors and local celebrities have all been captivated by the outstanding beauty of the landscape and coastline of West Dorset. Productions of all kinds have been filmed on location here, many of them choosing our spectacular historic houses and gardens as a backdrop to the action.

West Dorset is famously Thomas Hardy county, and a trip to his 'Wessex' will reveal a wealth of locations immortalised by his novels and adapted for the big screen.

Hardy's Tess of TV

A new adaptation of the Thomas Hardy classic 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' was shown on BBC One throughout Sepember 2008. Inspiration for Hardy's 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' is reputed to be from the case of Martha Browne, who was tried at Dorchester's Old Crown Court & Cells in 1856.

The lavish four part adaptation was partly shot on location in Dorset in Spring 2008, the home of Thomas Hardy.

The drama was written by David Nicholls, whose past credits include Cold Feet and a BBC adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, and starred Gemma Arterton as Tess.

Rocking The Boat

Released in 2009, filming for 'The Boat That Rocked' took place in various locations around Dorset, including the famous Cobb harbour at Lyme Regis. Starring Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Jack Davenport amongst others, the comedy is set in an illegal 1960s North Sea radio station.

Famous farmworkers feature on The One Show

In 2009 the BBC programme marked the 175th anniversary of the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs by retelling their story. Presenter Neil Oliver visited the Old Crown Court & Cells in Dorchester where the farmworkers were tried.

'A Novel Approach' to Lyme Regis

Sky Television are soon to document West Dorset's connections with the author Jane Austen in 'Rural England - A Novel Approach'. The programme will feature the famous Cobb harbour in Lyme Regis, a memorable setting from Austen's 'Persuasion'.

Sherborne Castle in 'A Tale Of Two Castles'

Sherborne Castle starred in the ITV documentary series 'A Tale of Two Castles'. The series looked at two families and their day-to-day life as keepers, for nearly 400 years, of two castles - Sherborne Castle in Dorset and St Michael's Mount in Cornwall.

Dorset on the big screen

Dame Maggie Smith's latest feature was filmed at Athelhampton House in West Dorset. 'From Time To Time', written by Dorset's Julian Fellows, is based on a series of books called The Children of Green Knowe and also stars Timothy Spall.