Britain's Hollywood Coast

UK Coastal Screen Index 2026

New research reveals Britain’s most cinematic coastline

For more than a century, Hollywood has scoured the world for extraordinary locations to tell extraordinary stories.

From dramatic coastlines and ancient castles to picturesque harbours and breathtaking natural landscapes, the right location can be as memorable as the characters themselves.

Over the past two decades, Britain’s coastline has quietly emerged as one of the world’s great outdoor film sets. Oscar-winning blockbusters. Global streaming hits. Award-winning television dramas. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have chosen Britain’s shores as the backdrop for productions watched by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Yet to date, no one had attempted to answer one simple question:

Which part of Britain’s coastline has appeared in the most film and television productions?

The Research Behind Britain’s Hollywood Coast

Welcome to the UK Coastal Screen Index 2026, a comparative study analysing feature films, television dramas and major streaming productions filmed in the coastal regions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland between 2006 and 2026.

Using publicly documented filming records, regional film office data, verified production announcements and recognised industry databases, we analysed two decades of filming along Britain’s coasts to identify Britain’s most prolific filming destinations.

The findings reveal an extraordinary tale.

Dorset ranks as Britain’s most-filmed coastal region, with 39 confirmed productions over the past 20 years, more than any other UK coastal region.

But this is about far more than league tables.

The research also highlights the remarkable role Britain’s coastline now plays in international filmmaking, helping to bring our beaches, harbours, castles and coastal landscapes to cinema screens and living rooms worldwide.

Whether you’re fascinated by film locations, inspired by screen tourism, planning your next holiday, or simply curious about where some of your favourite productions were filmed, the UK Coastal Screen Index offers a unique insight into Britain’s Hollywood Coast.

Watch the Film

Before exploring the research, watch our short film introducing Britain’s Hollywood Coast and learn why Britain’s coastline continues to attract Hollywood studios, major broadcasters and the world’s leading streaming platforms.

Britain’s Top 10 Coastal Filming Regions

After analysing more than two decades of productions, one region stands above the rest.

More Than Just Beautiful Scenery

The research shows that Britain’s coastline has become one of the world’s most versatile natural film sets.

Within relatively short travelling distances, directors can access towering limestone cliffs, rugged headlands, sweeping sandy beaches, colourful fishing harbours, medieval castles, historic towns, ancient woodlands and rolling countryside.

For filmmakers, that diversity offers enormous creative freedom.

For audiences, it creates unforgettable locations that often become characters in their own right.

And for visitors, it offers the opportunity to experience these remarkable landscapes first-hand, following in the footsteps of some of the world’s biggest productions.

Increasingly, films and television programmes are inspiring where people choose to travel.

The rise of screen tourism, often called set-jetting, has become one of the fastest-growing trends in global travel, prompting millions of people to visit destinations first discovered on screen.

The UK Coastal Screen Index celebrates the regions that help shape that story while recognising the extraordinary role Britain’s coastline continues to play in bringing unforgettable stories to life.

Why Dorset Ranked No.1

Britain’s coastline is home to some of the world’s most recognisable landscapes.

From Cornwall’s rugged Atlantic cliffs to Norfolk’s sweeping beaches and the dramatic scenery of Scotland’s Moray coast, filmmakers have an extraordinary range of locations.

So what makes Dorset different?

The answer lies in its remarkable diversity.

In little more than an hour, directors can move between the iconic limestone arch of Durdle Door, colourful Georgian harbours, medieval castles, dramatic cliff tops, sweeping beaches, rolling countryside, ancient woodlands and historic villages. Few places in Britain offer such a diverse range of natural and historic locations within such a compact area.

For production companies, that flexibility saves both time and money. Multiple locations can often be filmed within the same production schedule without lengthy relocations, while the county’s varied landscapes allow Dorset to convincingly double for different places, historical periods and even fictional worlds.

It is this combination of natural beauty, versatility and accessibility that has made Dorset Britain’s most-filmed coastal region.

The UK Coastal Screen Index identified 38 confirmed productions filmed across Dorset between 2005 and 2026, including feature films, original streaming productions and television dramas. No other coastal region recorded more than this.

Together, these regions have welcomed productions from Netflix, Disney, Amazon MGM Studios, Apple TV+, Marvel Studios, BBC, ITV, Warner Bros., and many of the world’s leading production companies.

The complete rankings can be downloaded as part of the UK Coastal Screen Index report.

From Hollywood Blockbusters to Streaming Giants

The breadth of productions filmed in Dorset is every bit as impressive as the landscapes themselves.

Hollywood studios, independent filmmakers, public service broadcasters and the world’s biggest streaming platforms have all chosen the county as a backdrop for their productions.

Recent years have seen Dorset feature in everything from award-winning dramas to major blockbuster releases, introducing its coastline to audiences across the globe.

Among the productions filmed in Dorset are:

The historic Cobb at Lyme Regis provided a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop for scenes in Warner Bros.’ Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet. With its iconic harbour wall and timeless coastal character, it’s easy to see why this much-loved Dorset landmark was chosen to help bring the magical world of Willy Wonka to life.

Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning war epic Dunkirk brought Hollywood to Weymouth Harbour, where the historic quayside stood in for wartime Britain. The harbour’s traditional architecture and maritime heritage provided an authentic backdrop for one of the most acclaimed films in recent years.

Marvel Studios returned to Dorset for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with filming taking place in Dorchester during 2026. The production further reinforces Dorset’s growing reputation as a destination trusted by some of the world’s biggest film studios.

One of Britain’s most iconic natural landmarks, Durdle Door, provided a spectacular backdrop for scenes in Project Hail Mary. The dramatic limestone arch and breathtaking Jurassic Coast scenery continue to attract filmmakers seeking landscapes that feel timeless and otherworldly.

Few television dramas have become as closely associated with a location as ITV’s Broadchurch. The towering golden cliffs of West Bay became one of the series’ defining images, introducing millions of viewers worldwide to Dorset’s spectacular Jurassic Coast.

Amazon MGM Studios chose Portland’s rugged coastline and dramatic limestone landscapes for scenes in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The island’s striking scenery provided the epic scale and natural beauty required by one of television’s most ambitious fantasy productions.

Netflix continued its investment in Dorset by filming The Sandman at Sandbanks. Renowned for its golden beaches and stunning views across Poole Harbour, the location showcases the remarkable diversity of Dorset’s coastal landscapes on screen.

The dramatic cliffs and abandoned stone workings of Winspit Quarry provided a suitably cinematic backdrop for Andor. The rugged Purbeck coastline has long attracted filmmakers seeking landscapes that feel remote and otherworldly, making it a natural fit for the Star Wars universe.

One of the latest productions to feature Dorset, Netflix’s A Matter of Time, starring Ben Stiller, Nicholas Galitzine and Bella Maclean, filmed scenes at Highcliffe Beach. As the UK Coastal Screen Index is published, the production highlights Dorset’s ongoing appeal to international filmmakers and major streaming platforms.

The Rise of Screen Tourism

Film and television have never played a greater role in shaping where people choose to travel.

The phenomenon has become so significant that it now has its own name: screen tourism, often called set-jetting.

Rather than choosing destinations from traditional holiday brochures, travellers are increasingly inspired by places they’ve seen on screen, whether in cinemas or while streaming their favourite series.

VisitBritain’s latest research found that seven in ten recent visitors to Britain had visited a film or television location during their trip, while nine in ten prospective visitors said they would be interested in visiting one. 

That trend is accelerating.

According to Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26 travel trends research, more than half of travellers report that their interest in taking a screen-inspired holiday has increased over the past year, with younger travellers particularly influenced by films and television when choosing where to visit. 

For Dorset, this represents an exciting opportunity.

Every new production introduces the county to fresh audiences worldwide, inspiring visitors to experience its beaches, castles, harbours and the spectacular Jurassic Coast for themselves.

Step Into the Scenes You’ve Watched on Screen

One of the most remarkable things about Dorset’s famous filming locations is that they aren’t hidden behind studio gates or tucked away on private backlots. They’re real places anyone can visit.

Many of the locations featured in the UK Coastal Screen Index remain as directors found them. Beautiful, authentic and wonderfully accessible. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer holiday, they’re all waiting to be explored.

If you’re looking to experience Britain’s most cinematic coastline for yourself, browse our handpicked collection of holiday cottages in Dorset, from luxurious coastal retreats to welcoming dog-friendly cottages and indulgent cottages with private hot tubs. Many are perfectly placed to explore the iconic filming locations featured throughout this research.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve also created a growing collection of destination guides, walking routes and local recommendations. Start with our guide to famous filming locations in Dorset, then discover more inspiration in our Explore Dorset guides, or uncover the real places that inspired bestselling authors in our feature on Dorset’s thriller and mystery locations, where dramatic landscapes have shaped unforgettable stories on screen and on the page.

After all, today’s hidden cove, dramatic clifftop or historic harbour could become tomorrow’s film-set blockbuster.

About the UK Coastal Screen Index 2026

The UK Coastal Screen Index analysed 638 confirmed feature films, original streaming films, television dramas and streaming series filmed in Britain’s coastal regions between 2006 and 2026.

Created by the Dorset-based luxury holiday cottage company Curated Cottages, the research was designed to better understand the growing importance of Britain’s coastline to the film and television industry and to celebrate the remarkable locations that continue to inspire directors, producers and audiences around the world.

Rather than focusing on a single destination, the Index compares coastal regions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland using a single consistent methodology, providing an objective comparison of confirmed filming activity over a 20-year period.

The findings also highlight the growing influence of screen tourism, one of the fastest-growing trends in modern travel, in which visitors choose destinations inspired by films and television series.

Research Methodology

The UK Coastal Screen Index analysed 638 confirmed feature films, original streaming films, television dramas and streaming series filmed in Britain’s coastal regions between 2006 and 2026.

Research was compiled from publicly available information across a range of recognised sources, including:

• Regional film office records 
• Production announcements 
• Official studio and broadcaster information 
• Verified filming location databases 
• Industry publications 
• Publicly documented location reports

Where a production was filmed in more than one coastal region, each qualifying region received a single production credit where filming had been publicly confirmed.

Productions were categorised as either:

• Feature and streaming films 
• Television and streaming series 

The objective of the Index is not to catalogue every production ever filmed in Britain, but to provide a comparative study of publicly documented coastal filming activity currently available.