If you’re a fan of the hit crime drama Broadchurch, then this UK seaside town is a must-visit with the same dramatic cliffs and beach where the gripping story begins – and its just two hours away
The award-winning series used this stunning beach as their backdrop(Image: Patrick Redmond +353872600976)
Broadchurch first hit the screens of UK TV fans back in 2013 and has gripped the nation ever since, with three seasons, all set within this beautiful seaside destination.
Starring British acting royalty David Tennant and Olivia Colman, the crime drama explores how one tragic incident can affect a close-knit community.
The unsung star of the show is the Dorset landscape where it is set. The majority of the beach scenes are filmed at the serene West Bay. The Dorset coastline was integral to setting the eerie mood of the show and was a place the characters continuously came back to at key points throughout the story.
Filming
Andy Buchan, who played Mark Latimer in Broadchurch, told Visit Dorset: “I think I would take a holiday in Dorset every 10 minutes if I could. It is a spectacular part of the world. From the scenery to the people, the whole package down there is spot on.”
The storyline itself begins when Danny Latimer’s body is found on the beach, beneath the dramatic cliffs where Broadchurch is shot, and that very location is the real-life East Beach in West Bay and its harbour.
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The West Bay cliffs were heavily featured in TV series Broadchurch
The rest of West Bay was also used for a number of key locations within the story, including the café, police station, newsagents, Sea Brigade Hall, and harbor. Not to mention, the caravan park, which plays another vital role throughout all seasons, is located not too far away, as well as the beach hut in Eype and Freshwater.
Also used as a primary filming location for the show was the seaside town of Clevedon in North Somerset. The town’s quaint streets, hotel and shops were used to form part of the Broadchurch setting, but really it’s the coastline in Dorset that is the real star of the show.
The beach
West Bay is divided into two stunning beaches: East Beach with its famous 50-metre-high cliffs and West Beach, a sheltered cove ideal for families.
A recent visitor described their experience on TripAdvisor, writing: “A lovely beach to walk along. Great coastline. Stunning cliffs. These cliffs are prone to rock falls, so it’s best not to sit under the cliffs. A safe place to swim.”
Another beach-goer shared: “Very spectacular cliffs which appear to be very fragile. There have been several rock falls in recent years. It is still a lovely beach and well worth a visit.”
It forms part of The Jurassic Coast in Dorset(Image: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
It is part of the renowned Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site along the English coast spanning from Exmouth to Dorset. With millions of years of history, beautiful scenery and fantastic cliff walks, it’s no wonder so many tourists flock to the area.
Away from the glorious sand and sea, the area as a whole has seen a surge in visitors since the show’s inception in 2013. In fact, one survey of 60 tourist-based businesses claims that over three-quarters of them have seen a big boost in trade since and have Broadchurch to thank for it.
Despite having RNLI lifeguard cover throughout the summer months of July to September, West Beach is considerably safer for young children. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of rockfall from the cliffs, making it at times a dangerous location for wandering tourists.
After visiting the breathtaking landscape, one person said it was “excellent for a breath of fresh air”. They wrote: “Such a stunning coastline and such a lovely site to see the golden cliffs. If you visit the discovery centre in West Bay, they tell you all about why they are the way they are.”