The Salt Path Filming Locations in Cornwall: The Wild Edge We Inhabited

What do you do when life strips everything away? Raynor and Moth Winn turned to nature, and The Salt Path. Armed with only £115 and a tent, they uncover the healing strength of nature and human resilience.

In the beautiful screen adaptation of Raynor’s The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, we follow the relentless, emotional journey of the couple who lived for months on the edge of society, immersed in the natural beauty of Cornwall’s ‘salt path’ on the South West Coast Path. If there’s a story that pays testament to the healing power of nature and Cornwall, it’s this one.

Watch the trailer below, and remember to catch the film in cinemas across the UK from 30th May.

If you love nature, Cornwall, have read or watched the story on the screen, or have been inspired by Visit Britain’s Starring Great Britain campaign, you’ll love discovering The Salt Path film and the real life locations in Cornwall. In this blog, we traverse the cliff tops, coves and coastal towns that Raynor herself visited. Read on for where to stay, and for local tips on travelling around these filming locations in Cornwall:

• Newquay‘s lively streets are visited by Moth and Raynor, providing a stark contrast to the more wild landscapes they traverse. This town’s watersports and hiking opportunities make it ideal for an active holiday in the UK.
• Holywell Bay is another beautiful Cornish holiday destination explored in their epic journey. The wide-open scenery of this North Cornwall bay lends itself perfectly to a wellness holiday in Cornwall, spent exploring The Salt Path.
• Padstow, a harbour town in Cornwall, also serves as a backdrop in the film.

Walking The Salt Path in Newquay

When Raynor and Moth Winn travelled the North Coast of Cornwall, they visited Watergate Bay, Fistral and Newquay’s vibrant town. Gillian Anderson and John Isaacs were spotted on Beach Road, just above Towan Beach in Newquay. Further up the North coast are the beaches of Whipsy and Watergate Bay, where, in the novel, Raynor and Moth settle for a sea food supper, with Zacry’s Island just offshore. At Watergate Bay, Zacry’s Restaurant (named after the rocky islet) serves up incredible local dished on the sea wall.

“The rocks out to Zacry’s Island were blue with thousands of mussels. We filled our pan and boiled them, picking the fat bodies out with a pen knife. Our world was changing, the edges fading as our journey drew us between sea, sky and rock. Becoming one with the wild edge we inhabited.” – From the book, The Salt Path, by Raynor Winn

Walking The Salt Path in Padstow

Padstow, a picturesque fishing port in North Cornwall, was a filming location for the 2024 adaptation of The Salt Path. The actors aren’t the only celebrities to visit this harbour town, a hotspot for top restaurants like Rick Stein’s and Paul Ainsworth’s No6. In Padstow, you can take to the water, cycle the Camel Trail, browse the shops, or relax in artisan cafés. Hop on the ferry or water taxi to Rock, an affluent coastal village with a beautiful beach across the Camel Estuary. Also worth visiting in summer is Prideaux Walled Garden, where you can wander through flower patches and enjoy homemade tea and cake.

Holywell Bay

The crew hit North Cornwall’s Holywell Bay in July 2023 to film The Salt Path, and this beach and coastline is no stranger to the spotlight. With sweeping dunes and rugged cliffs, Holywell Bay has featured in plenty of hit dramas, including Poldark and House of the Dragon. At low tide, you can explore the mystical cave that gave the bay its name, while incredible sunsets over the famous Gull Rocks make it a must-visit for anyone craving the kind of views that uplift the soul.

Are you feeling inspired to explore The Salt Path, but with all the indulgence of a Cornish Gems holiday? Browse our website, dig out your walking boots and head west for an uplifting adventure in Cornwall.

Explore The Salt Path