The Salt Path by Raynor Winn – Filming Locations
When Raynor and her husband Moth lose their home and livelihood, they make the brave decision to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path, living only with the essentials they can carry on their backs. In this post we explore some of the fabulous film locations from the recent adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. We’ve shared a great route to try in each of the film locations.
Where was The Salt Path filmed?
The Salt Path is based on a walk along the South West Coast Path and was filmed in 2023 across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall as well as some scenes in Wales.
The Salt Path film locations with walks to try when you visit
Minehead
Minehead is where the South West Coast Path starts, there is a large bronze statue of a giant pair of hands holding a map. As they set off Raynor and Moth look unlikely to last the entire distance with all their possessions strapped to their backs including a small two man tent which will be their home for the forseeable future as they wild camp along the south west coast path. The couple use a guide book on their epic walk, although they don’t often manage to keep up with the timings in it due to Moth’s illness.
Minehead Circular Coast Path Walk
Climbing to over 800ft on North Hill, this walk includes superb views – north over the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast and the Brecon Beacons; south over Exmoor and east over Minehead. It also has much of surprise and interest. It begins at Minehead station
Porlock
It’s easy to see why Porlock featured as a film location in the Salt Path. Porlock Weir is a pretty little harbour village on the coast path. It is located on the edge of Exmoor National Park in West Somerset. Porlock has a long history and has been an important port for small craft for centuries.
Porlock Circular Coast Path Walk
This walk offers great views of Porlock Bay and the surrounding hills. En route are three very attractive villages, each with a selection of thatched, limewashed buildings.
Valley of the Rocks
The Valley of the Rocks in North Devon as you can tell by the name is one of the more dramatic parts of the Coast Path. If you have seen the trailer you’ll spot their rugged beauty. There are lots of great walks to explore in this area.
Valley of the Rocks Circular Coastal Walk
This stunning walk explores both the little town of Lynton and the extraordinary landscape of the Valley of Rocks, where craggy sandstone tors tower over a dry river valley. Walkers need to be aware that the stretch along the South West Coast Path is exposed, with a very steep drop-off to the sea: children and dogs need to be kept under close control. The views across the Bristol Channel to the coast of South Wales are breathtaking.
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You may recognise this pretty North Devon fishing village from it’s appearance in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society . It’s a beautiful day out with lots to see when you visit. You’ll be charged an admission fee if coming via the visitors centre. Be sure to visit the donkey sanctuary and enjoy some delicious sea food while you’re there – especially the famous Clovelly Crab.
Hartland to Clovelly South West Coast Path Walk
This walk offers spectacular scenery, amazing geology and of course the unique fishing village Clovelly – this car-free North Devon coastal walk has it all. It’s a fairly demanding section of the South West Coast Path with six ascents/descents, some are very steep.
Hartland Quay
Hartland’s dramatic coastal scenery of high, jagged cliffs and huge rocky beaches is ample compensation for some stiff gradients on this exhilarating walk. This will have been a tough section for Raynor and Moth.
Stoke & Hartland Quay Circular Coast Path Walk
It is hard to believe that Hartland was once a thriving port from Elizabethan times until storm damage in the late 19th century brought trade to a halt. Indeed, Hartland Quay handled a variety of cargoes, including limestone to feed three kilns and malt for the malt house. You can discover more about Hartland’s maritime history at its museum when you visit.
Padstow
Padstow is one of North Cornwall’s most famous towns. It’s become even more famous because of it’s connection with the much loved chef Rick Stein. In The Salt Path, Raynor and Moth blow their budget and tuck into some delicious looking fish and chips on the harbour.
Padstow Coast Path Circular
There’s plenty to see on this busy section of the South West Coast Path. At the end of the described route is the splendid Prideaux Place, an Elizabethan house that has been lived in by the Prideaux-Brune family for over 400 years. There are guided tours of the house and its sumptuously furnished rooms. The landscaped gardens are also open to the public, Easter to Oct.
Newquay
There are some quite large towns on the South West Coast Path, Newquay is renowned for it’s lively nightlife and surfing community. Raynor and Winn don’t stay long, after helping a young girl by giving her the last of their money, they head back on the path, preferring the solitude of the coast line.
West Pentire Headland Circular Coast Path Walk
Start at Crantock car park, head down towards the beautiful Cubert Common before heading out towards the headland with views across Holywell Bay, back across Poly Joke beach (a favourite with locals) before heading around the headland towards Crantock and walking pass The Bowgie Inn which is the perfect spot for a rewarding drink or bite to eat. The West Pentire headland is a popular spot for seal spotting too!
Rame Head
There’s a wonderful moment in the film where Gillian Anderson realises that she doesn’t need a physical home, her husband Moth is her home and as long as they have each other they can endure everything that is happening around them.
Rame Head and Cawsand Circular Walk
This circular walk on the South Coast of Cornwall takes you to the pretty village of Cawsand as well as to the picturesque St Michael’s Chapel on Rame Head which was originally built in the 13th Century.
Other film locations in The Salt Path include Bude, St Mawes, Countisbury and Lands End. Sign up for a free 14 Day Trial of OS Maps to find even more great circular routes on the South West Coast Path.
Read more about The Salt Path Film and the South West Coast Path
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Raynor Winn on the healing power of walking (and how it feels to be played by Gillian Anderson!)
Raynor Winn discusses the healing power of walking and how she felt about Gillian Anderson playing her in the film of her book The Salt Path
