Is the Poldark Effect Still Bringing Visitors to Cornwall?

May 04th, 2018

Ever since the BBC adaptation of Poldark first came onto our screens back in 2015, Cornwall has been awash with visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the stunning county that inspired novelist Winston Graham to pen his now famous books. With so many fans now desperately awaiting the fourth season, we take a look at what Poldark has done for Cornwall, and whether the Poldark effect is still in play!

 

Poldark has undoubtedly brought many fans to the county in which it is based. An estimated 14 percent of people visiting Cornwall are doing so because they have seen the show. With so many tourists flocking to the gorgeous Cornish beaches each year, this figure is actually pretty high. Day trips and planned excursions bring coach loads of Poldark enthusiasts to the main filming areas, including Charlestown, Porthgwarra and Botallack, where many a Poldark themed tour takes place. Whether fans are heading to the Duchy to enjoy the coastal views or in the hopes of bumping into leading man Aidan Turner is another matter though!

 

While some have worried that the desire to see Cornwall based on the television show alone will have waned as it approaches the fourth season, the recently acquired international market has instead seen a boost in Cornwall’s tourism industry. Having recently been screened abroad in America and Australia, more and more people around the world are showing an interest in crossing the pond to experience the quaint life here in Cornwall.

 

 

In the past, other television shows, such as Doc Martin, have drawn in fans, however as that is set in only one village, the impact this has on Cornwall as a whole is fairly slim. With many filming locations across the county, Poldark has had a far more widespread effect, with visitors coming to experience both the specific villages and towns used to film the programme, as well as the incredible cliffs and beaches that make up the stunning Cornish coast. Poldark has also helped people to understand the rich history of Cornwall; especially why the county has so many mines!

 

Charlestown, where a lot of the series is filmed, sees huge boosts in tourism each year; once when filming is taking place, and again when the series is shown on television. Proud of the way Poldark has put the area on the map, many shops in the Charlestown area now sell Poldark themed merchandise and souvenirs.

 

Of course, Poldark is enjoyed not only by visiting fans but by locals as well, who are thrilled to see the picturesque villages and sweeping coastlines that they know and love depicted on screen. It seems Poldark has had a positive effect on both local business and visitor experience in Cornwall; let’s hope that series four brings as much excitement about the Duchy as its previous instalments have!

 

If you would like to experience the incredible Cornish coast and countryside that inspired Poldark, why not come and stay with us here at The Valley!? Our luxury Cornish cottages are located around a half an hour drive away from Charlestown!

Poldark Series Four Coming Soon

April 27th, 2018

With filming confirmed to be wrapped for the fourth series of hit television drama Poldark, it appears that the much-loved show will be returning to our screens sooner rather than later; most likely in the early summer. Fans were initially wary when the BBC decided to move the show from its usual autumn airing spot to during the summer months last year, scared that the move from the peak TV release date marked the beginning of the end for the beloved show. Luckily for all, the summer viewing spot only peaked interest, with an average of five million people tuning in to catch up on the adventures of Ross Poldark. Continuing with the summer scheduling this year, rumour has it that Poldark could even be returning to our screens sooner!

 

Series four will take from the sixth and seventh books in Winston Graham’s series; ‘The Four Swans’ and ‘The Angry Tide’. The series will see Poldark take on Westminster, bringing a change of scene for viewers, moving some of the plotline away from the stunning coastline of Cornwall over to 18^thcentury London. Fans of the Duchy need not worry though, as the show will still remain very much Cornwall based!

 

To match his new role in the big city, Aidan Turner’s costume has also seen a revamp, with a much smarter jacket and hat adorning Ross’ character, a welcome change from the scruffy coat and battered hat that we have come to know and love. Fans of the unruly look will not be too disappointed, however, as Poldark’s trademark wild hair remains!

 

Of course, the other main plot points for the coming season will revolve around Ross Poldark’s relationship with his wife, Demelza. Describing the upcoming series as ‘tempestuous’, Aidan Turner stated that their relationship starts off a little ‘rocky’, but that they will tackle the issues ‘in a very real way’. Turner believes the way the couple will be depicted in series four is ‘something an audience will understand’, as he says ‘it’s a very real relationship, these things can happen in a marriage’. We will have to wait and see what is in store for Mr and Mrs Poldark!

 

What are your predictions for season four of Poldark, let us know via our social media channels! If you want to experience the gorgeous landscapes of Cornwall as seen in Poldark, why not come for a luxury family holiday in Cornwall and see all of the spectacular sights!? At the moment we are offering a last minute booking discount of 10% off for holidays in May!

 

 

Image credit: official_poldark | Instagram