Romantic Filming Locations in Sussex…

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, we thought it was only right to showcase our most romantic filming locations! With the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, the coast adorned with dramatic cliffs and gorgeous beaches, and the beautiful towns filled with history, there is no shortage of proposal-worthy spots! Whether you’re looking to celebrate your love like your favourite film character, or need a filming location for your next romantic production, we’ve got you covered…

Worthing has been named among the UK’s ‘most romantic filming locations’. It was “found to be the third location with the highest percentage of romance films” according to Sussex World with 22% of movies filmed here being in the romance genre. One example is ‘Empire of Light’ which we facilitated filming for in The Pavilion Theatre. The film follows cinema workers Hilary (played by Olivia Coleman) and Stephen (played by Michael Ward) who find a sense of belonging in each other in an unlikely relationship, and Worthing was a perfect setting for their relationship to thrive on screen!

Seven Sisters Country Park

Seven Sisters Country Park is nestled along the English Channel and offers a breathtaking backdrop, from the dramatic white cliffs to the stunning rolling hills. The park has hosted a number of films and photo-shoots over the years, one example being ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. The musical-fantasy film directed by Ken Hughes is nearly 50 years old, but it still charms everyone old and young. Seven Sisters features in the famous moment when the car drives off the cliff in the suspenseful moment of ‘will it fly?’, filling the world with hope when it jets off into the sunset – you can’t get more romantic than that!

Eastbourne Pier

Situated in the charming seaside town, Eastbourne Pier provides a picturesque and romantic backdrop for filmmakers capturing love stories, especially at sunset! It is also a brilliant replica for Brighton Pier, often easier for filming due to the quieter crowds and the unchanged Victorian architecture. In fact, the 2010 ‘Brighton Rock’ chose Eastbourne Pier as their filming location over Brighton! The thriller follows the story of gangster Pinkie Brown, with a troubled romance threaded throughout the film, and Eastbourne Pier enhances the dark beauty of this British crime.

The Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion stands as a stunning testament to romance, nestled in the heart of Brighton and boasting incredible Indian and Chinese architecture. Combined with the lush gardens, it makes a stunning backdrop for any romance, one example being ‘My Policeman’. Based on the Bethan Roberts novel set in 1950s Brighton and starring Harry Styles & Emma Corrin, much of the film was shot in Sussex. The Pavilion Gardens make for a perfect backdrop to tell the story of Tom and Marion’s growing love.

Brighton Streets

The streets of Brighton are some of the most colourful, lively, and vibrant in the country. From the narrow, cobbled roads of the historic Lanes exuding timeless romance, to the iconic seafront promenade with its stunning sunset, each street has a story to be told. One example of this is the ‘Quadrophenia’ Alley. The 1979 film is set in Brighton and follows young mod Jimmy Cooper escaping his everyday job and life. Although it is (most certainly!) not a romance at its core, this alley has become a famous romantic attraction for couples across the globe flooding in to see the alley in which protagonists Jimmy and Steph spent their time!

Cuckmere Haven

Cuckmere Haven features breathtaking natural beauty, from its meandering river to the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs standing tall in the background, it is a dramatic location perfect for a romantic story to unfold. One example being, ‘Atonement’, the heartbreaking romance features Cuckmere Haven on protagonist Robbie’s postcard and at the film’s conclusion. The mouth of the River Cuckmere is a stunning location to represent the passion and turmoil of this much-loved relationship.

If any of these locations interest you, get in touch to kick start your pre-production process by emailing hello@sussexfilmoffice.co.uk or calling 01903 951030.

Images courtesies:

‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/chitty-chitty-bang-bang-50-anniversary-dick-van-dyke-a8680251.html 

‘Brighton Rock’: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233192/ 

‘Quadrophenia Alley’ : https://twitter.com/quadalley/status/1692824206524760414 

‘Atonement’: https://almostginger.com/atonement-filming-locations/