10 Films That Capture the Spirit of Britain’s Coastline
There’s something timeless and evocative about Britain’s coastline — dramatic cliffs, windswept beaches, hidden coves, and the quiet charm of seaside towns. It’s no wonder filmmakers return time and again to the shore to tell stories of freedom, escape, longing, and wild beauty.
Whether you’re planning a coastal road trip or just want to soak up some sea air from your sofa, these ten films capture the spirit of Britain’s shoreline in all its rugged, romantic, and windswept glory. Let’s start with the most recent first (so new it’s pending!):
1. The Salt Path (2025)
🎥 South West Coast Path, England
This film of the book of the same name tells the story of how Raynor Winn and her husband, Moth, set out to walk the South West Coast Path — one of the most stunning coastal routes in the UK — after being faced with homelessness and Moth’s terminal diagnosis.
Find The Salt Path on IMDB here.
2. The Outrun (2024)
🎥 Orkney Islands, Scotland
Based on Amy Liptrot’s moving memoir, this intimate drama follows a woman returning to her native Orkney to recover from addiction. With breathtaking shots of cliffs, seabirds, and moody skies, The Outrun captures the wild, healing pull of remote coastal life. This reminds us, if you enjoy remote Scottish island tales, the BBC’s Shetland TV series is an absolute must-watch, too. Find The Outrun on IMDB.
3. Summerland (2020)
🎥 East Sussex coast, England
A wartime story of grief and imagination, set on the chalky cliffs and stormy shores of southern England. The cinematography embraces the raw, windswept beauty of the sea — a perfect metaphor for the film’s emotional tides. Find it on IMDB here.
4. Bait (2019)
🎥 Cornwall, England
A bold, hand-processed 16mm film about a Cornish fisherman clashing with incoming tourists. Visually gritty and culturally sharp, Bait feels as raw and salt-stung as the sea itself — a standout of contemporary British cinema. Find details on IMDB.
5. Fisherman’s Friends (2019)
🎥 Port Isaac, Cornwall
This feel-good tale of sea shanty-singing fishermen turned pop stars celebrates community, tradition, and the charm of Cornish harbours. Heartwarming and wave-lapped. Find details for Fisherman’s Friends on IMDB here.
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
🎥 Devon and Cornwall stand in for the Channel Islands…
A gentle post-war drama set on an island shaped by the sea, with cobbled streets, craggy coastlines, and the comfort of books and baking. It’s a love letter to island life and resilience. Find The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society here on IMDB.
7. On Chesil Beach (2017)
🎥 Dorset, England
This adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel explores love, repression, and regret — all set against the striking backdrop of Chesil Beach’s shingle spit. Quiet, haunting, and emotionally charged, it captures the melancholy beauty of the English coast. Find information for On Chesil Beach on IMDB here.
8. Mr Turner (2014)
🎥 Margate and the Thames Estuary
Mike Leigh’s biopic of the great seascape painter revels in golden light, crashing waves, and brooding skies. You can almost smell the salt in the air as it recreates the scenes that inspired Turner’s most famous works. Intrigued? Find out more about Mr Turner on IMDB.
9. Bhaji on the Beach (1993)
🎥 Blackpool, England
This British comedy-drama is set in the seaside town of Blackpool and follows a group of British Asian women who embark on a day trip to the beach. The film touches on themes of identity, culture, and the complex relationships within the community. Find it on IMDB here.
10. The Edge of the World (1937)
A poetic early classic depicting the evacuation of a remote island. Wind-beaten cliffs, crashing surf, and the tension between tradition and modernity still resonate. It’s a time capsule of wild beauty. Find further info on this 1937 classic on IMDB.
That’s all folks, except…
If these films have stirred a longing for sea air, hidden coves, and slow days by the shore, why not chart your own journey along Britain’s breathtaking coastline? Our lovingly curated travel guides are the perfect companions for slower, more soulful adventures. Browse our guides and start planning a journey that’s as much about the journey as the destination.
