|
Search the siteeMagazine
|
Lights, Camera, Dartmouth…
PROMOTION  Even if you've never been to Dartmouth, this pleasant town may seem familiar. The picturesque countryside nestled between the river Dart and its iconic steam railway has found celebrity status in a surprising number of ways, ranging from the written word to the big screen. BRITAIN has found the best places, from literature and location, in and around Dartmouth, to give you the chance to explore this idyllic town. In 2010 Michael Portillo - renowned Conservative politician, journalist and broadcaster - traversed the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway as part of his Great British Railway Journey for the BBC, staying at the stunning 17th Century Royal Castle Hotel. In this same hotel, as well as at locations throughout the countryside and town, Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons portrayed their Bafta award winning adaptation of “The French Lieutenant's Woman". Dartmouth is synonymous wit
Popular TV show Songs of Praise has filmed in Dartmouth and two episodes of The Antiques Roadshow - filmed in the nearby Britannia Royal Naval College - are set to air on February 27 and March 6, which have attracted a lot of interest. "We always get requests about the area when we appear on TV" says Sue Thompson of Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre. "We’re always very happy to talk to visitors about what’s going on in the area at any given time – just pop in and say hello," Dartmouth has also has been the base for literary classics and their creators throughout the ages. Flora Thompson, author of “Lark Rise to Candleford,” moved to Dartmouth in 1927, and inspired by the scenery surrounding her home created the series of semi-autobiographical tales based on the agricultural life in the area and her life as a postmistress.
Christopher Robin Milne of Winnie the Pooh fame fled the unwanted public attention he received in London and opened the Harbour bookshop, which became one of the sites for the launch of a range of special edition Winnie the Pooh stamps in 2010 (you can still buy these collectables from the Royal Mail website). Agatha Christie's holiday home, Greenway House, is located a short boat ride from Dartmouth. This historic house is now a National Trust protected site and is open to public viewing after a £5.4m restoration project. While in ITV's 1990 adaptation of "Peril at End House" her creation, Hercule Poirot, would save a wealthy heiress from attempts on her life in the feature length adaptation featuring David Suchet, which featured neumerous scenes shot in and around the town. However, this is just a taste of what Dartmouth has to offer. Visit www.discoverdartmouth.com for more information. |
|
