The seaside town that has enthralled holidaymakers for centuries served as the stunning backdrop for the hit ITV crime drama Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman. The award-winning series first aired in 2013 and captivated audiences with three series, all filmed in this breathtaking coastal location.
The Dorset Coastline as a Character
The true unsung hero of the programme is the Dorset scenery. Most coastal sequences were captured at the tranquil West Bay, where the shoreline established the show's haunting atmosphere. Characters repeatedly returned to these locations during pivotal narrative moments.
Andy Buchan, who portrayed Mark Latimer, 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."
Key Filming Locations
The plot kicks off when Danny Latimer's body is discovered on the shore beneath the imposing cliffs. The exact spot is East Beach in West Bay, alongside its harbour. Additional areas featured include the café, police station, newsagents, Sea Brigade Hall, and harbour. The caravan park, crucial across all series, sits nearby, along with the beach hut in Eype and Freshwater.
The picturesque seaside town of Clevedon in North Somerset also served as a key filming location. Its charming streets, hotel, and shops helped create part of the backdrop, though the Dorset coastline steals the spotlight.
The Beaches of West Bay
West Bay features two magnificent beaches: East Beach with its iconic 50-metre-high cliffs and West Beach, a protected cove perfect for families. A recent visitor on TripAdvisor said: "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 added: "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."
The location forms part of the celebrated Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching from Exmouth to Dorset. With countless years of geological history, breathtaking views, and excellent cliff walks, it's no surprise that tourists flock to the region.
Tourism Boost from Broadchurch
Since the programme launched in 2013, the area has seen a significant increase in visitors. A survey of 60 tourism-related businesses suggests that more than three-quarters have witnessed a substantial rise in custom, crediting Broadchurch for the upturn.
Despite benefiting from RNLI lifeguard supervision during summer (July to September), West Beach remains safer for younger visitors. In recent years, multiple cliff rockfalls have been documented, occasionally creating hazardous conditions for unsuspecting holidaymakers.
One visitor described the scenery as "excellent for a breath of fresh air," commenting: "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."
