Beyond Paradise is the kind of comfort watch that we'd file next to Call The Midwife, and serves as a perfect antidote to doom-scrolling. (Yes, it's nominally a 'crime' show, but it's still easy watching, trust us).
A spin-off of Death in Paradise, the cosy crime show filmed in the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, Beyond Paradise sees DI Humphrey Goodman (played by Kris Marshall) become engaged to his love interest Martha Lloyd and settle down in her hometown of Shipton Abbott, where he joins the local police force.
Where is Beyond Paradise filmed?
The show makes its setting of Shipton Abbott look pretty adorable (you know, thanks to the stunning aerial shots, cutesy buildings, and fishing port) which is kind of a shame when you discover that, *drum roll*, it's not a real place. Yep, while it's supposed to a town in Devon, no location by that name exists.
Rather, the series is shot in a number of locations: Buckfastleigh, Mothecombe and Tavistock in Devon, and Looe, Charlestown, Saltash in Cornwall.
It was a conscious decision to film the series in the West Country, as the team looked for a scenic setting. "I remember growing up as a kid and my family holidays were in Devon, staying in caravans in Westwood Ho. I love Cornwall and the West Country and lived in Bristol for a while, so it's very familiar to me," said executive writer and producer Tony Jordan.
"It is paradise in its own way, so was a perfect fit and gave me everything the show needed. It's not set on the sea front, but the sea is there. What is amazing about the West country with the small towns and villages is the genuine community feel."
Beyond Paradise real life filming locations
It's great to hear how much the Beyond Paradise team loves the West Country, of course it is. But if you're looking for some more specificities of where you can go to visit all your fave Shipton Abbott locations, we've got you. Keep scrolling!
Shipton Abbott seafront and beach = Looe, Cornwall
One of the locations used especially prominently to represent Shipton Abbott is Looe, which was partially chosen due to its local fishing industry. "We travelled around lots of different places and were on the hunt to find somewhere that felt like a real town over a seaside resort," said executive producer Tim Key.
"When we went to Looe, which is actually in Cornwall, it was a beautiful tourist town, but also a thriving community with fishing businesses, so we felt we had found our home," he added.
In the show, DI Goodman can be seen on Looe's East Beach, which suggests that the town's seafront is deffo a part of the Beyond Paradise universe.
Shipton Abbott high street = Launceston, Cornwall
As spotted by BBC Countryfile, some scenes of what is supposed to be Shipton Abbott's high street are actually filmed in another Cornwall location: Launceston. The location is actually an ancient market town, which gives Shipton Abbott a quaint, characterful feel.
Ten Mile Kitchen aka Martha's cafe = The Stables Cafe, Port Eliot House and Gardens, Saltash, Cornwall
In the first couple of seasons of Beyond Paradise, Martha's cafe, Ten Mile Kitchen, is situated in a building with historic stone walls. This is actually none other than The Stables Cafe in Port Eliot House and Gardens, a Grade-I listed priory and house which was remodelled by legendary architect Sir John Soane in the 18th century. (If you're a big Beyond Paradise fan, it's worth noting that this location offers camping on its grounds, venue hire, even wedding venue hire...).
However Ten Mile Kitchen then changes venue in season three, becoming Looe's The Sardine Factory. The Sardine Factory is a restaurant that boasts a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and is known for its fresh take on Cornish cuisine. Maybe worth booking in for a spot of lunch while you're on your Beyond Paradise location tour?
Humphrey and Martha's houseboat = Pentillie Castle and Estate, Saltash, Cornwall
Okay, you're not hallucinating. At no point have Humphrey and Martha lived in a castle. They do, however, live on the outskirts of one: their houseboat is shored up on River Tamar, Humphrey, which is easily accessible to Pentillie Castle and Estate in Saltash, Cornwall.
The estate also features a riverside cottage and quay that serves as Martha's mum's cottage (which you can see in the background of the picture above).
Shipton Abbott police station = The Guildhall, Looe, Cornwall
With Beyond Paradise being a crime drama, of course, the police station is a bit of a hub of action. So here's a fun fact: the Shipton Abbott police station isn't a police station at all, it's The Guildhall in Looe. Currently used as a museum, it's a Grade II location built in 1877, which boasts a clock tower.
So there you have it, let's give the Beyond Paradise location scouts a raise pls!
Beyond Paradise starts tonight at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
