Filming on the Isle of Wight

Known as ‘England in miniature’ the Isle of Wight has been attracting the arts and providing inspiration for hundreds of years. Given the huge variety of landscapes including rugged cliffs, rolling green hills and stunning coastline, plus chocolate box thatched cottages and dramatic manor houses, it’s easy to see why. Coupled with the fact that everything is accessible in a day, due to its compact 23-mile radius, the Island provides the perfect setting for a film set.

The unique microclimate on the Isle of Wight adds to the charm. We tend to average more days and hours of sunshine here than anywhere else in the UK! So no need to endure the expense of travelling abroad when you can find a sunny, clear and beautiful space to film, right on your doorstep.

There are plenty of professional creative services based here too, including location scouts, studios, camerapersons and models, making the Island the perfect retreat for your next creative venture.

Find the perfect backdrop...

Coastal

Coastal locations are in abundance on the Isle of Wight. Here are our picks of some tops locations to consider:

• Compton Bay - the last untouched beach with its rugged coastline provides a dramatic atmosphere. Surfers flock to the waves and beach dwellers wait to watch the sun go down.
• Freshwater Bay - home to an array of artists over the years, including Alfred. Lord Tennyons, Julian Margaret Cameron and Lewis Carroll, who were all part of the famous ‘Freshwater Circle’. The beach with Mermaid Rock towering from the sea and the Tennyons Downs in the background make for a truly inspirational location.
• Steephill Cove - a hidden gem tucked away on the outskirts of the bohemian town of Ventnor and in the heart of the historical smuggling capital of the ‘Back of the Wight’. You’ll find quaint coastal cottages and fishermen.
• Appley Beach - miles of golden sand with Portsmouth’s skyline in the distance and the historic Appley Tower offering views across The Solent.

Towns & Villages

Step back in time on streets lined with pretty thatched cottages, old coastguard homes as well as a vast array of manor houses.

• Winkle Street - considered a wonder of the Island, pretty cottages line the road facing opposite a stream. Traditional duck races happen here every year.
• Shanklin Old Village - a picturesque olden day village made up of stone, thatched buildings leading down to a magical chine. The roads are lined with small, local shops and at the centre of the town is a thatched pub. The whole area is lit up in the summer nights.
• Cowes - a hive of activity in the summer months when it hosts one of the world’s largest and certainly the most well-known sailing regattas Cowes Week. The high street is lined with local shops and excellent cafes and is a great place to visit to soak up the Island’s relaxed coastal atmosphere.
• Ryde - a proper Victorian seaside town complete with one of the oldest piers in England. Boutique stores line Union Street which stretches high up a hill and plays host to thousands of scooters in the annual rally.

Isle of Wight National Landscape

A vast quantity of the Isle of Wight is recognised as Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the whole Island, including the surrounding waters, has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In order to be awarded the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a region needs to show that people and the natural environment are coexisting harmoniously. The Isle of Wight demonstrates to the highest level that there is a balanced relationship between people and nature and, that in spite of the modern-day pressures brought about by progress, nature continues to thrive here.

Places to stay on the Isle of Wight

Looking for somewhere to stay whilst you are here filming? We’ve got a wide range of accommodation available to suit all party sizes and budgets from hotels and hostels to self-catering cottages and B&Bs. View our accommodation page to browse the entire list and take a look at some of the Island’s best things to do in between shoots!

TV shows and movies filmed on the Isle of Wight

• Channel 5 Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South showcased the Island and documents the lives of some of the people who live or have made their home and business here. Filmed in various locations around the Island.

• Channel 4 Best of Britain by Sea saw Chef Ainsley Harriott and food writer Grace Dent discovering our food producers, restaurants and cafe including The Royal Hotel and The Smoking Lobster in Ventnor, Graces Bakery in Yarmouth, The Garlic Farm in Newchurch and Wightwood Pizza at Freshwater Bay.

• Cycling on the Isle of Wight was filmed for French TV taking in some of the Island’s best cycling routes. 

• Channel 5 Susan Calman’s Grand Week by the Sea saw her visit The Needles Landmark Attraction and take a ride on the famous chairlift, before visiting the Spice Bus of Spice Girls The Movie fame, now residing at Island Harbour as a quirky place to stay.

• Channel 5 Kate Humble’s Coastal Britain followed Kate taking a trip down memory lane and walking the places where she holidayed as a child. Starting with a walk down Yarmouth’s wooden pier before taking a boat trip to The Needles before a visit to the National Trust run Needles Old Battery.

• BBC Great Coastal Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo took him on a journey by ferry from Southampton before embarking on the Island Line which uses recycled London Underground trains. 

• The Cockfields was filmed in various locations across the Island and featured household names including Sue Johnston, Joe Wilkinson and Bobby Ball. The famous Military Road was featured heavily, as was Yarmouth and mentions of popular West Wight pub, The Red Lion.

• The Beast Must Die was shot solely on the Isle of Wight and was Britbox’s first-ever original drama. Starring Jared Harris alongside Cush Jumbo, the majority of filming took place in the West around Tennyson Down, Alum Bay and Compton Farm as well as scenes set in Newport town centre and even in Ryde swimming pool for the underwater shots!

• An Action Hero is a recent Bollywood adventure comedy production filmed on the Island. It was filmed in Island locations, including Ventnor, Cowleaze, Shanklin, St Lawrence Undercliff and Military Road, bringing in crowds of onlookers during filming in early 2022.

• James Bond: No Time to Die although not filmed on the Isle of Wight, did see the iconic Mermaid Gin from The Isle of Wight Distillery feature in a scene within the 2021 blockbuster.

• Guesthouse Paradiso shot in 1999 filmed exteriors on Military Road  – with digital effects added for the hotel and power station.

• Victoria and Abdul starring Dame Judi Dench and Eddie Izzard is a 2017 British biographical historical drama film with much of the feature film shot at Osborne, the former holiday home of Queen Victoria, in East Cowes.

• Local band Wet Leg have filmed a few of their videos here, including ‘Oh No’, filmed at the iconic Alum Bay.

• Countryfile saw Matt Baker stroll along Ryde Pier, the oldest pier in the UK and Ellie Harrison visiting the private beach of Osborne.

• Nick Crane from Coast took part in the famous Round the Island Race and explored the geology of the Island. 

• 2005 horror movie ‘Fragile’ was filmed in various locations on the Isle of Wight, including on a Red Funnel Ferry!

Services

If you’d like to make the Isle of Wight the home of your next media project, take a look at some of the services the Island has to offer below. Many creative professionals choose to make the Island their home due to its separation from the mainland and its inspirational natural beauty, so you won’t be stuck for resources whilst you’re here.

FilmWight

FilmWight is the Isle of Wight’s official film office, recognized by Creative England and The Filming in England Partnership, and operated with the endorsement of Isle of Wight Council, with assistance from Arts Council England and Wightlink.

The Island is an undiscovered gem. It is only two hours from London and nowhere in the UK has as many varied locations within easy reach of each other. The Island has period villages and towns, grand stately homes, modernist architecture, derelict buildings, commercial and industrial sites, vineyards, seaside piers and miles of expansive cliffs and beaches. 

Of particular interest are the locations and landscapes that can double for other countries. With the Island’s microclimate, providing more sunlight hours than any other UK location, post Brexit, producers have an excellent alternative to filming overseas - in addition to reducing their carbon footprint.

For more information about filming and content creation on the Isle of Wight including:

• Identifying and accessing locations.   
• Facilitating licensing and permissions.
• Providing, and signposting, local specialist support services. 
• Arranging preferential travel rates and accommodation (including free travel for scouting trips and highly advantageous rates for productions).

…please visit www.filmwight.com or contact the IW Film Officer dave@filmwight.com / on 07790 951101.

Isle of Wight Film Fixers

Isle of Wight Film Fixers provides a one stop place for your production. Their team of professionals know the industry and have local knowledge so they know what will work for you. They can assist you to find what you need whilst keeping within your budgets as well as offering free recce's. See their ever growing catalogs of what you might need. 

Isle of Wight Locations

Isle of Wight Locations have an ever growing location catalog for what you need. They are able to show you that the Isle of Wight has so much more than just amazing views. 

Island People Agency

Island People supply Island based models, actors, supporting artist and PR staff. Book now.