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Guernsey is a channel island between England and France, not technically part of the UK but still uses British currency and postcode system. It’s also the setting for a 2018 film, which is possibly (hopefully, or else you’re very lost!) why you’re here. To find out where all The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film locations are.
Well, definitely not Guernsey is the short answer.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society stars the delightful Lily James as Juliet, a London-based writer who corresponds with a book club (which is the semi-ridiculous title of the film) on the island just after WWII. She decides to visit them and learn about their experiences and possibly write about them.
Aside from the scenes shot in Ealing Studios, the incredibly picturesque filming locations are situated in London, Bristol and Devon. Nope, no filming happened on Guernsey at all! Unfortunately, the island has modernised too much since WWII, so the production had to source locations elsewhere. So, where exactly are The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie film locations? Let’s find out!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Film Locations
Where was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Filmed?
1. Hartland Abbey Estate, Bideford, North Devon
The film opens in 1941 when Nazi Germany occupied Guernsey. Because even though it’s an English channel island, Guernsey is geographically closer to Normandy in France than England.
The tunnel road where the group get stopped by the Gestapo patrol is within the vast grounds of Hartland Abbey in Bideford, North Devon, as are a few other scenes. There are lots of woodland paths and picturesque locations within the abbey and some are featured in the film. The abbey itself doesn’t appear, which is unfortunate as it’s rather beautiful!
2. Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral, London
The action cuts to 1946 in London, where Juliet is riding a bus with her publisher Sidney (portrayed by another ex-Downton Abbey star, Matthew Goode). The first shot quickly establishes that we are, in fact, in London by displaying an iconic shot of St Paul’s Cathedral with Blackfriars Bridge in front of it.
3. Sicilian Avenue, London
The production team dressed the small, pedestrianised Sicilian Avenue like post-war London. This is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society location where Juliet hosts a book signing event in Foyles Bookshop.
Roman columns and jutted out, stone window boxes frame the entire street so I can absolutely understand why they’d choose this place! Plus, it’s compact and closed-off from the city outside so I imagine it would be easier to set-dress.
4. Charterhouse Square, London
After viewing a new flat with high ceilings, embellished white walls and crystal chandeliers, Juliet walks with her publisher down a London city square. This is Charterhouse Square which is a vehicle-restricted part of London and still boasts cobbled streets.
5. Clerkenwell Prison, Sans Walk, London
Juliet heads to an underground Jazz bar where she chats and dances with a charming American man. This particular The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society filming location is in Clerkenwell Prison on Sans Walk, London. Yes, it’s a former detention centre-turned-events venue and genuinely looks like an old bunker on the inside.
6. Princes Wharf, Bristol
The only one of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society filming locations in Bristol is Princes Wharf which stands in for Weymouth Harbour, where Juliet hops on a ferry to visit Guernsey.
Weymouth Harbour still exists, but Princes Wharf is much more well-preserved. Many of the old electric and steam cranes line the harbour, and there are a couple of historic and rebuilt ships. So I totally understand why they’d choose it as a filming location!
7. Clovelly, Bideford, North Devon
The next location is mine and everyone’s favourite out of all of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society locations. It’s the harbour situated in Guernsey’s capital city, St Peter Port. But in reality, it’s Clovelly Harbour in North Devon. Clovelly is definitely one of the best things to do in North Devon!
The brown-coloured stones from the wild, rocky beach seem to crawl up the walls and houses like ivy along the harbourside. But when you look up, there’s a sudden burst of white and green from the hillside houses. Every home looks at least 200 years old but well-loved and freshly painted.
Horrible place. Can’t imagine why anyone would want to visit here.
8. South West Coast Path (between Hartland Quay and St Catherine’s Tor)
After strolling around the town looking for a place to stay, Juliet bumps into one of the members of the society in his post office. He instructs the young lad with him to take Juliet up to Charlotte’s house in his cart. They ride along the South West Coast Path (the Hartland Heritage Coast) between Hartland Quay and St Catherine’s Tor.
It’s also where Juliet chats with her fiancé, Mark, later in the film.
9. Buttgarden Street, Bideford, North Devon
During flashbacks to Nazi occupation, there is a scene with tonnes of soldiers marching down a street. It’s supposed to be a high street in Guernsey, but the real The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society location is Buttgarden Street in Bideford, North Devon dressed up as a 1940s shopping street. It’s very narrow and has lots of ornate shop signs and multi-coloured terraced houses.
10. Saunton Sands, North Devon
The final The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film location is Saunton Sands in North Devon. When Juliet and Mark head back to London, there’s none of this “waiting around for a ferry” malarky. Nope! An American Dakota Aircraft lands on a nearby beach to fly them home.
And those are all the top The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film locations in Guernsey! Have you watched the film or visited any of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society filming locations? Let me know in the comments below!
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Wonderful photos! I loved the film. The locations looked so quaint, and they don’t look too much different from the movie.
I loved it too! It’s a shame the island of Guernsey was too “modern” for the film but great there are still areas of England that haven’t changed much 🙂