When it comes to British comfort television, few shows have captured the gentle charm and scenic splendor of the West Country like Beyond Paradise. As the much-loved spin-off of Death in Paradise returns for its highly anticipated fourth season, fans are once again invited to the fictional town of Shipton Abbott—though, as many now know, Shipton Abbott is a delightful illusion, crafted from a tapestry of real-life locations across Devon and Cornwall.
The new season, which began airing on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, promises not only a fresh batch of quirky mysteries but also a visual feast of coastal cliffs, quaint villages, and sun-drenched beaches. According to The Mirror and The Independent, the cast and crew unanimously agree: this year, the show "really raised the bar" in terms of breathtaking scenery.
But what makes these filming locations so special? For starters, the team behind Beyond Paradise made a conscious decision to anchor the series in the West Country. Executive producer Tony Jordan explained to The Independent, "It is paradise in its own way, so was a perfect fit and gave me everything the show needed. It's not set on the sea front, but the sea is there. What is amazing about the West Country with the small towns and villages is the genuine community feel."
While Shipton Abbott may not exist on any map, its spirit is stitched together from a collection of real places. Filming for season four took place in locations such as Buckfastleigh, Mothecombe, and Tavistock in Devon, as well as Looe, Charlestown, Launceston, Saltash, and Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall, according to Cosmopolitan and BBC Countryfile.
Looe, a bustling fishing town in Cornwall, stands in for much of Shipton Abbott’s seafront and beach. Executive producer Tim Key told Cosmopolitan, "When we went to Looe, which is actually in Cornwall, it was a beautiful tourist town, but also a thriving community with fishing businesses, so we felt we had found our home." The town’s East Beach features prominently, and the Guildhall in Looe—actually a Grade II listed building built in 1877—serves as the fictional police station, a hub of much of the show’s action.
Other iconic locations include Launceston, which brings Shipton Abbott’s high street to life with its ancient market town charm, and Port Eliot House and Gardens in Saltash, home to The Stables Cafe, which doubled as Martha’s beloved Ten Mile Kitchen in the show’s early seasons. Later, the cafe scenes shifted to The Sardine Factory in Looe, a real-life Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant known for its modern take on Cornish cuisine.
For fans hoping to spot Martha and Humphrey’s houseboat, it’s moored on the River Tamar, near the picturesque Pentillie Castle and Estate in Saltash. The estate even supplies the riverside cottage that appears as Martha’s mother’s home in the background of several scenes.
Of course, the cast has their own favorite spots. Kris Marshall, who plays DI Humphrey Goodman, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for Mothecombe Beach. "As always, we got to film in some stunning locations, especially Mothecombe Beach. You can only get down there by foot or in a 4x4, and when the sun is out, it feels like you're in the Caribbean. Sally and I had a brilliant scene there—it was at sunrise and it was freezing, but so beautiful. I even got to have a dip in the sea!" he shared with The Mirror.
Sally Bretton, who stars as Martha Lloyd, echoed his sentiments about the Mothecombe sunrise shoot. "There's a rather scandalous scene where Martha and Humphrey go for a swim at Mothecombe Beach. We filmed this at sunrise at the most beautiful beach, but oh my goodness, it was freezing!" she recalled, laughing about the chilly but memorable experience.
For Zahra Ahmadi, who plays DS Esther Williams, filming at Mount Edgcumbe was particularly poignant. "One place that was really special for me was Mount Edgcumbe, which I've been visiting since I was a child. My granddad used to take me there a lot as the coastal path runs from his house all the way round to Kingsand and Cawsand, so we have completed countless family walks there. It was so lovely, in between filming, to sit outside and look at a view I've known my whole life, but in the different context of filming and playing Esther. It meant a great deal to me," she told The Mirror.
Dylan Llewellyn, who brings PC Kelby Hartford to life, praised the region’s stunning sunrises and shared how the beauty of Devon and Cornwall inspired him to capture the moments on his phone. "The locations are always incredible as Devon and Cornwall are just so beautiful, but this series has really raised the bar. There were mornings when I arrived on set at sunrise and immediately pulled out my phone to film the view in front of me. Those clips always go straight to the family group chat. Charlestown especially comes to mind as a standout location; it's also where we shoot some of the cave scenes, which makes it particularly special."
The new season’s storylines are as colorful as its scenery. Viewers can expect everything from the suspicious death of a crime novelist—whose final plot eerily mirrors their demise—to an intruder returning to undo a crime scene, a witness claiming a mermaid wrecked a local seaweed farm, an off-grid community battling developers with the image of the Green Man, a Morris dancer targeted in plain sight, and a stolen pirate map reappearing under mysterious circumstances. As always, the show manages to blend fact and folklore, keeping audiences guessing and entertained.
What’s perhaps most remarkable is how Beyond Paradise manages to ground its whimsical mysteries in a setting that feels both fantastical and authentic. The West Country’s rolling hills, rugged coastlines, and tight-knit communities provide more than just a backdrop—they’re central to the show’s identity. As Tony Jordan put it, the region’s "genuine community feel" is as much a character as any member of the cast.
For those eager to step into Shipton Abbott’s world, many of these locations are open to visitors, from the historic Port Eliot House and Gardens to the bustling quays of Looe and the tranquil paths of Mount Edgcumbe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first-time viewer, season four offers a chance to escape into a world where every sunrise brings a new adventure—albeit, sometimes, with a shiver.
With its fourth season, Beyond Paradise not only delivers on its promise of comforting, easy-watching drama but also invites viewers to fall in love with the landscapes and communities that inspired its creation. It’s a journey worth taking, one scenic mystery at a time.