We can’t wait for The Salt Path movie to hit cinemas in the UK on 30 May 2025. Co-stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs were spotted filming in several locations around the UK coastline, and there’s no doubt that the rugged beauty of our shoreline is set to steal the show alongside the stellar cast.
Adapted from Raynor Winn’s profound bestselling novel that follows her and her husband’s 630-mile hike along the South West Coast Path after being displaced from their home, the incredible tale of hope and resilience is bound to inspire you step foot on Britain’s longest National Trail.
Whether you want to walk the entire route from Minehead to Poole, or dip into the dramatic scenery set to hit our screens in spring, here’s where to lace up your walking boots and set foot on location of The Salt Path.
While most of the film sets stay true to the Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset coastlines at the heart of Winn’s story, you might be surprised to find that Anderson and Isaacs also stray to shooting locations in Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire and West Sussex.
Walk The Salt Path and Step Foot in Scenes from the Big Screen in These Coastal Locations
Minehead, Somerset
The charming seaside town of Minehead marks the start of Anderson and Isaac’s journey along The Salt Path, and is the official starting point of the South West Coast Path. Whether you want to start your own 630-mile hike, take a circular hike to Porlock Bay, or wander inland to rugged terrain of Exmoor, it’s a wonderful location to combine a seaside sojourn with wild walks along the coastline and rolling moors. Or you can just stroll along the promenade, take in the panoramic sea views, watch boats bobbing in the historic harbour, and enjoy traditional beach days with your toes in the sand.
Where to stay: Step out onto the coast path from Seagull’s Rest, a semi-detached cottage sleeping up to 7 guests on the seafront in Minehead. Browse more holiday cottages in Minehead.
Porlock Weir, Somerset
Nestled between Exmoor National Park and the Bristol Channel, Porlock Weir offers a peaceful retreat along the South West Coast Path. Don your walking boots to hit The Salt Path, and whether you aim for Hurlstone Point or Culbone and the smallest church in England, you’ll no doubt recognise some of the scenery from the big screen. However many miles you clock up, take time to soak up the romantic ambience of this charming historic village with its quaint harbour, and tuck into traditional afternoon tea at the Porlock Weir Hotel.
Where to stay: Stay bang on the harbour front at Harbour House Apartment, with direct access to the South West Coast Path and Exmoor National Park. Browse more holiday cottages in Porlock Weir.
Lynton to Heddon’s Mouth, Devon
Even the big screen can’t do justice to the staggering beauty of this section of North Devon’s coastline, where lush Atlantic rainforest and moors meet the sea. Even if you don’t want to tackle the rugged cliff path on foot, it’s easy to visit the Valley of Rocks – an ancient landscape that’s even more magnificent in real life than when you watch Isaacs and Anderson wend around its iconic rock formations on the big screen. If you want to lap up bird’s eye views of Exmoor and this dramatic coastline without any effort at all, take a seat onboard the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway – the world’s highest and steepest fully water-powered funicular railway between these two charming seaside villages.
Where to stay: When you stay at Bayview Tower, located at the top of the funicular between Lynton and Lynmouth, you don’t even have to leave your Grade II listed holiday cottage to set eyes on the panoramic sea views. Browse more holiday cottages in Lynton and Lynmouth.
Ilfracombe, Devon
A long-standing favourite destination for holidays in Devon, the release of The Salt Path will no doubt throw Ilfracombe even further into the limelight. Marking a transformative point of Raynor Winn’s journey, here can you follow in her footsteps to secluded coves, towering cliffs and the rocky summit of Capstone Hill, as well as dip in the sea pools at the historic Tunnels Beaches, get your fill of culture at art galleries and the famous Landmark Theatre, and tuck into gastronomic delights at waterside cafés and restaurants.
Where to stay: You’ll overlook the stunning North Devon coastline from Seascapes apartment, which is perfectly located to explore Ilfracombe and the South West Coast Path. Browse more holiday cottages in Ilfracombe.
Clovelly and Hartland Quay, Devon
While Raynor Winn and her husband Moth didn’t have the funds to splurge on a Devonshire cream tea when they stomped through the charming cobblestone streets of Clovelly, we’d recommend a pitstop in this historic spot for scones piled with jam and cream. This timeless, traffic-free village feels like a film set every day, with thatched cottages tumbling down to a 13th-century quay where fishermen load catch onto carts pulled by donkeys. Strike out from here along the steep 13 miles of coast path to Hartland Quay, and you’ll no doubt experience the raw and invigorating power of Britain’s coastline that’s at the heart of Winn’s epic story.
Where to stay: There are very few places to stay on this rugged section of Devon’s coastline. Just a couple of miles from Hartland Quay and the village of Hartland, hunker down between walks in Dovecote, which sleeps four guests and up to two dogs.
Port Quin, North Cornwall
Contemplating life on a picnic bench overlooking the craggy little cove of Port Quin, Anderson and Isaacs weren’t even halfway along the path that led Raynor and Moth to come to terms with being displaced from their home. Yet with the sun on their faces, the water twinkling below and the little fortress of Doyden Castle winking in the distance, at this point there was already a distinct feeling of hope and healing permeating their incredible story. Whether you tackle this remote and rugged leg of the South West Coast Path on foot, head off on a paddleboarding adventure or dare a sea dip and sauna in this sheltered inlet, we’re sure you will also feel the healing power of nature in and around Port Quin.
Where to stay: Open the door of your own private cottage in Port Quin – No.2 The Fish Cellars is the next best place to stay in the footsteps of Raynor Winn, if you want a little more luxury that wild camping with a tent. Browse more holiday homes around Port Quin or in nearby Port Isaac.
Padstow, Cornwall
While Anderson and Isaacs caused quite a stir when they were spotted filming in Padstow, they’re not the only celebrities to frequent this harbour town on the North Coast of Cornwall. Whether you’re crabbing off the harbour wall, bobbing out to sea or fine dining on the fruits of the ocean, Padstow’s a sublime spot for a coastal break in Cornwall. Raynor Winn and her husband didn’t visit this famous foodie town for its fine dining reputation, but you don’t have stray far to discover the dramatic hiking territory –wild promontories, collapsed sea caves, blowholes and pearly coves – that led them here.
Where to stay: Watch the boats chug out to sea from the balcony of this stylish Upper Deck hideaway on Padstow Harbour. Browse more holiday cottages in Padstow.
Fistral Beach, Newquay
You don’t have to hit the waves of the UK’s surfing capital, or join the beach-going bucket-and-spade brigades, to make the most of this stunning coastline that’s lured holidaymakers since Victorian times. In fact, Newquay is a brilliant base for a coastal walking holiday in Cornwall, as displayed by Anderson and Isaacs as they stroll past the wave-riddled beaches in Winn’s footsteps. Humpback whales, dolphins and seals are all regular visitors too, so whether you walk the town beaches or further afield to Holywell Bay or Mawgan Porth, take binoculars and keep your eyes peeled on those bug blue views.
Where to stay: Let the sea lift your spirits from Fistral Watch – a beachside apartment beside Newquay’s most famous surfing beach. Browse more holiday cottages in Newquay.
Holywell Bay
Imagine Raynor and Moth arriving windswept and trail-weary at this stunning location. Rolling dunes, mysterious sea caves, and dramatic rocks create a truly special place, perfect for a gentle stroll or a more adventurous hike to hidden coves. The beach is no stranger to the screen and has appeared in many films and TV series, including Poldark. Let’s hope its increasing fame doesn’t spoil its wild beauty. While the Winns surely appreciated the beauty of the place, you might be tempted to linger longer. The beach remains unspoiled, but keep an eye out for the summer ice cream van and the welcoming Holywell Beach Bar, a pub restaurant with a beach-view garden, close to the car park.
Where to stay: Soak up views of the sunset over the sand dunes from Beachcomber – a large, contemporary holiday home in the heart of the village. See other holiday homes in Holywell Bay.
Rame Head, South Cornwall
Over 400 miles into their epic walk, when Raynor Winn and her husband Moth rounded the Rame Peninsula they were on their homeward stretch. But with no home to go back to, this wild, hawthorn-hemmed headland on the edge of the English Channel, epitomises the landscapes that had become the couple’s symbol of home, and of hope. Strike out to St Michael’s Chapel at the tip of the peninsula, to experience the transformative power of this wild territory steeped in a rich history of smuggling, seafaring and ancient ceremonies, while enjoying a gull’s eye view of the coast, spotting seabirds such as peregrines, and looking out the famous Eddystone Lighthouse in the distance.
Where to stay: Escape to The Old Signal House on the edge the Rame Peninsula (built for the families of staff manning nearby Eddystone Lighthouse), and you’ll be as close to the seascapes as Raynor Winn and Moth stayed in their tent.
Off-The-Path Filming Locations
While The Salt Path stays true to Raynor Winn’s poignant tale, some of the filming locations took place outside of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. Here are few more places to you can go set-strolling in the footsteps of Anderson and Issacs.
Chepstow, Monmouthshire
This historic town on the River Wye, where dramatic limestone cliffs meet the Severn Estuary, is the gateway to the Wales Coast Path. Here walkers set off along another of the UK’s rugged coastal trails, or into the greener landscapes of the nearby Wye Valley. When you’re not breaking out to breathtaking views on foot, visit the riverside Chepstow Castle, take a twirl around the town’s independent shops, and warm your cockles in the warmth of traditional inns after a day of adventures.
Where to stay: Just across the River Severn from Chepstow, up to ten guests can gather for a walking retreat at the luxurious Bilsham Meadows.
Aust, Gloucestershire
This small village in South Gloucestershire offers stunning views across the Severn Estuary to Wales and ever-changing tidal landscapes. Once a key ferry crossing used by pilgrims and King Henry II, it now draws coast path walkers to its peaceful riverside trails rich with birdlife. The Severn Way and England Coast Path pass through, and after a day of exploring on foot, you can unwind in nearby Olveston’s cosy pubs and cafés.
Where to stay: After days on the trails, soothe your aching muscles in a private hot tub when you stay at Hidden Well, a luxury barn conversion in Aust.
West Wittering, West Sussex
Stomp along the dunes to East Head, a shifting sand spit littered with wildflowers underfoot and seabirds swirling above. Whether it was necessary to substitute the South West’s seascapes with West Sussex for the filming of The Salt Path is questionable, but the sweeping sands and shallow waters of this stunning location are paradise for walkers and beach lovers none-the-less. And with the vibrant city of Chichester as well as the South Downs National Park a pebble’s skim away, it’s the perfect location to soak up the seaside, countryside and city life in a coastal break.
Where to stay: Just 10 minutes’ walk from West Wittering’s beach, snuggle up under exposed beams beside the inglenook fireplace at the historic Apple Tree Cottage. Find other seaside stays in West Sussex.
Book a Beach Cottage to Walk The Salt Path
Whether you want walk the entire South West Coast Path or dip into a few day walks in the footsteps of Raynor Winn, find your perfect seaside holiday cottage in our collection.
How to Plan Your Walk Along the South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest National Trail and can be accessed from many points along its 630-mile route. Whether you want to walk for a hours, days or weeks, it’s easy to plan your hike with the trip planner and distance calculator on the official South West Coast Path website. There are also many circular walks, as well as routes that link to public transport on the walks section.
Visit With this Map of The Salt Path’s Filming Locations
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