🎬 Where Was About Time Filmed? Complete Cornwall & London, England Location Guide

Get ready, cinephiles and travel dreamers! Few films capture the bittersweet beauty of life, love, and the passage of time quite like Richard Curtis's "About Time." This enchanting rom-com isn't just about a man who can time-travel; it's a love letter to the messy, wonderful moments that make up our existence.

And central to this charm are the breathtaking, utterly real filming locations that ground its fantastical premise. From the ruggedly beautiful coasts of Cornwall to the bustling, iconic streets of London, every backdrop feels like a character in itself.

Imagine walking the same sandy beaches where Tim grew up, feeling the same sea breeze as he experienced his most pivotal family moments. Picture yourself strolling through the very London mews where Mary brought warmth and light into his life.

Join us on a cinematic journey as we uncover the exact spots where "About Time" came to life. We’ve got the insider scoop, practical tips, and all the visual inspiration you need to plan your own magical trip to these unforgettable locations. Let's dive in! ✈️

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🗺️ Major Filming Locations

🎬 Porthpean Beach, St Austell, Cornwall, England - Where Family Memories Are Made 🏖️

Porthpean Beach is a beautiful, sheltered sandy cove near St Austell on the south coast of Cornwall. It's a popular spot for families, known for its safe swimming conditions and picturesque scenery. With its gentle slopes and calm waters, it embodies the quintessential British seaside holiday.

This beach served as the primary setting for the quirky Lake family's summer holidays and numerous nostalgic flashbacks. It's where Tim spends endless summers with his sister Kit Kat, and where many of the film's most heartwarming and pivotal family scenes, including beach parties and deep conversations, take place. The iconic red-roofed house overlooking the beach is central to these memories.

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🎬 Portloe Harbour, Portloe, Cornwall, England - The Charming Family Home 🏡

Portloe is a tiny, unspoiled fishing village nestled in a steep valley on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall. Characterized by its unspoilt authenticity, narrow winding lanes, and traditional stone cottages, it epitomizes Cornish charm. The heart of the village is its small, working harbour.

While interior shots of the Lake family home were likely studio-based or a rented property, the exterior of their charming, slightly rustic Cornish family home was predominantly filmed here. The picturesque village and harbour serve as the perfect backdrop for their unique, secluded family life, emphasizing their distance from the bustling world.

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🎬 62 Pindock Mews, Maida Vale, London, England - Tim & Mary's London Nest 🏠

Pindock Mews is a quintessential London mews street located in the affluent Maida Vale area. These historic cobbled lanes, originally service roads for grand houses, are now highly sought-after residential addresses known for their charming, compact homes and quiet, secluded atmosphere away from city traffic.

This picturesque mews is where Tim and Mary find their first London flat together, a cozy and characterful home that becomes the setting for many of their relationship milestones. It's where they build their life, start their family, and navigate the everyday challenges and joys that Tim revisits with his time-traveling ability.

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🎬 Dans le Noir? Restaurant, Clerkenwell, London, England - The Unforgettable Blind Date 🍽️

Dans le Noir? (meaning "In the Dark?") is a unique London restaurant where diners eat in complete darkness, guided and served by visually impaired staff. The concept aims to raise awareness about visual impairment while enhancing the senses of taste and smell. It's a truly immersive and sensory experience.

This extraordinary venue plays a pivotal role in "About Time" as the setting for Tim and Mary's initial blind date. Eating in absolute darkness forces them to connect on a deeper, more verbal level, free from visual judgment or distraction. It's here that their unique love story truly begins, a testament to the film's unconventional approach to romance.

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🎬 Westminster Bridge, London, England - Iconic City Strolls 🚶‍♀️

Westminster Bridge is one of London's most iconic landmarks, spanning the River Thames and connecting the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on the west bank with the South Bank area on the east. Its distinctive green ironwork and prime location make it a beloved spot for tourists and locals alike, offering unparalleled views of the city's most famous sights.

Westminster Bridge features in "About Time" as a classic London establishing shot and a backdrop for several of Tim and Mary's ordinary-yet-magical walks. It represents their life together in the heart of London, showcasing the beautiful, everyday moments they share amidst an iconic cityscape. It's a reminder that even in the busiest places, love can flourish.

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🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

"About Time" wasn't just a heartwarming film; it was a deeply personal project for director Richard Curtis. His vision was to craft a story that celebrated the quiet, often overlooked beauty of life's mundane moments, rather than grand, sweeping gestures. This intention heavily influenced the film's production and the choice of its intimately charming locations.

🎭 Director's Vision

🎪 Production Highlights

🌟 Cast & Crew Stories

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🗺️ Plan Your Visit

Ready to follow in the footsteps of Tim and Mary? Visiting these locations is not just a film buff’s dream; it’s an opportunity to explore some of the most charming spots in England. Here's how to make your trip as smooth and magical as possible.

🏨 Where to Stay

🚗 Getting Around

📸 Photo Tips

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❓ Quick Answers

No, "About Time" is a fictional romantic comedy. However, director Richard Curtis infused it with many personal reflections on life, family, and appreciating the everyday.

It's highly unlikely. The Cornwall locations are a significant distance from London. You'd need at least 2-3 days for London and a separate 2-3 days (or more) for Cornwall to truly enjoy them.

For London, budget £100-£200 per person per day for accommodation, food, and transport, depending on your style. Cornwall might be slightly less for accommodation, but car rental and fuel costs would add up.

While there aren't specific "About Time" guided tours, you can find general walking tours in London that cover areas like Westminster or Maida Vale, and private driving tours in Cornwall that can be tailored to show you coastal spots.

Principal photography for "About Time" took place in the summer of 2012, primarily from June to September.

Yes, both Cornwall and London are generally very safe for tourists. As with any major city or popular tourist destination, be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas, and take standard precautions against petty crime.

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🎬 Ready for Your Cinematic Adventure?

"About Time" reminds us that life's greatest treasures aren't found in grand gestures or fantastical abilities, but in the seemingly mundane, beautiful moments we share with loved ones. And as you've seen, many of those enchanting moments were captured in very real, very accessible places across England.

Whether you're planning a full cinematic pilgrimage or just dreaming of a future trip, these locations offer a rich tapestry of British charm, from the rugged coastlines of Cornwall to the iconic streets of London.

So, pack your bags, queue up the soundtrack, and get ready to create your own unforgettable memories. Share your adventures with us using #WhereWasItFilmed!