Filming

Historic harbour filming location on the south coast of Cornwall, UK

Charlestown Harbour has featured in many film & TV productions over the years.  As a filming location it is unique, with one of the largest outdoor marine film tanks in the UK.

Charlestown Harbour is one of Cornwall’s most exceptional filming locations. It is set on the rugged, unspoilt South Cornish Coastline and is the last open 18th Century Georgian harbour in the UK.

The Harbour Team don’t just coordinate filming at Charlestown Harbour, they also coordinate the marine element of shoots farther afield – either on location or in a studio.

The Harbour has a long history of filming with productions including Poldark, Dr Who, The Three Musketeers , Taboo,  The Personal History of David Copperfield as well as BAFTA award-winning BAIT.

The Charlestown Harbour Team have also recently worked on BBC One’s Dracula, starring Claes Bang, as well as Sky Cinema’s Into the Deep shot at sea around St Austell Bay.

Film and TV production units

Finding the perfect harbour location for filming can be a challenging process.  Our experience working with film and TV production units will make the experience as simple as possible.

The Charlestown Harbour Team are well-versed in working with production units of all sizes and meeting the needs of a range of productions. From documentary series to blockbuster movies, we have the professional knowledge and experience to ensure that all filming runs smoothly.

 

Inner Harbour Marine Tank

Charlestown offers one of the largest marine filming tanks in the world with access to the open sea. Constructed from granite in the late 1700s, with a length of 151m, a width of 33m and a depth of 5m, the Inner Harbour holds over 5,400 square metres of water behind a lock gate. Our marine tank is unique in the world, as vessels of up to 75m length and 4m draught can sail directly in from the open sea.

The harbour provides shelter from adverse marine conditions, enabling production to obtain ‘at sea’ footage in rough weather.

Maritime Props Hire for Film & TV

Charlestown Harbour has a huge array of period and marine props for hire.

We have everything from market stalls, barrels and crates to traditional boats, nets, cannons, and anchors. Prop hire is available for production of all sizes, and in any location.

Traditional Maritime Rigging Services & Marine Coordination

Charlestown Harbour’s reputation as both a Georgian working port and as marine coordinators to the film and television industry remains consummate.

The Harbour Team can give expert advice on marine history and can design and create the rig for any vessel. They can also offer advice and training on all manner of traditional marine skills. The Team not only work on historical features, but can also offer full Marine Coordination for productions set in more modern times. This includes procuring appropriate vessels, managing production vessels for shoots at sea, and training talent as needed. Most recently, the Charlestown Harbour Team were the Marine Coordinators for the movie ‘Into the Deep’, set in the modern day and starring Matthew Daddario. We managed all vessels and crews, ranging from skippers to divers and trained the relevant crew and talent on the necessary sailing and boat skills. Production lasted for 4 weeks and involved a full 2 weeks of shooting at sea.