I visited Beyond Paradise's locations and found a place begging to be featured in BBC drama

Wales Online

2 days ago

I visited Beyond Paradise's locations and found a place begging to be featured in BBC drama
The BBC crime drama is set in a fictional town in Devon and its filming locations are equally impressive, as Bethany Whittingham discovered
As one of the most beloved crime dramas on BBC, it's only fitting that Beyond Paradise's sets are as captivating and intricate as the show itself. The programme breathes new life into the successful premise of Death In Paradise, set in a fictional coastal village in Devon.
With the return of fan-favourite Humphrey Goodman (portrayed by Kris Marshall), now partnered with DS Esther Williams (Zara Ahmadi), the series follows his exploits in a new precinct, bearing all the classic hallmarks of a crime drama.
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As an avid viewer, I was thrilled to spend a day exploring some of the most scenic towns featured in the series. After a six-hour journey to sunny Buckfastleigh, I immediately embarked on a leisurely walk around the charming village, often showcased on screen under the fictitious name Shipton Abbott.
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Buckfastleigh was transformed into Shipton Abbott last year
(Image: Express )
It was a surreal experience to wander through the streets so frequently depicted on television, reimagining some of my favourite scenes. The town was adorned with summer bunting strung up between the shops and cafes lining the main street.
The high street was bustling with people making the most of the glorious heatwave, enjoying a weekend stroll through the thriving independent shops, reports the Express.
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Local residents were eager to share their encounters with the show's stars and proudly exhibited photos taken with the illustrious cast in their shops.
What dedicated fans might not realise is that many of the high street shops underwent a complete transformation for the show.
A local wine bar, Dough, was repurposed as a quaint chocolate shop for the series, a coffee bar was converted into a fudge shop, and a hair salon typically known as Plum was rebranded 'Snip and Style' for filming.
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The local train station now runs a murder mystery night inspired by the show
(Image: BBC )
We also took the opportunity to visit the South Devon Railway station in the village, which served as the setting for a chilling murder on the show back in 2024.
Devoted viewers may recall how the Devon railway became the focal point in the opening episode of the second series, featuring an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery play rehearsal that took a fatal twist.
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TV detectives can even tap into their inner sleuth as the railway has introduced a new murder mystery experience following the episode's broadcast. Presented by Murder by Appointment, the Train to Nowhere experience offers a 1950s themed evening filled with suspense and intrigue.
Guests are invited to a party on a train hosted by a flamboyant and successful film director, where he plans to remake the iconic 1945 film Brief Encounter.
However, jealousy and corruption soon fracture the cast, leading to an unforeseen murder that attendees must solve before the train journey concludes.
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Another treat that fans can savour during a day trip to Buckfastleigh is a tour of the town's magnificent abbey - a location that seems destined to feature in a future episode.
The grand abbey fell into a state of disrepair following the dissolution of the monasteries during King Henry VII's reign. However, in 1882, a group of French monks took up residence at the site and meticulously restored the magnificent structure brick by brick.
Buckfast Abbey is dying to be used as a set for an upcoming episode
(Image: Express )
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After a quarter-century of hard work, the Abbey church was consecrated and is now a bustling monastery, with monks frequently seen carrying out their practices across the premises.
The building itself is a marvel to behold, surrounded by beautifully adorned yet functional gardens and ancient oak trees.
It also features a medicinal garden brimming with plants and fruit trees used for treating various ailments, as well as a decorative garden filled with a plethora of flowers and water features.
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One unexpected feature of the monastery is a striking stained-glass installation of Jesus Christ at the rear of the church, casting a rainbow of colours throughout the room.
It boasts an impressive eight-metre stained glass window and botanical gardens
(Image: Express )
This artistic feature was installed by artist Charles Norris in 1968, alongside a stained-glass studio on site where he completed his eight-metre wide window before dedicating his life to the church as a monk.
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The abbey welcomes tourists free of charge and also boasts a delightful cafe overlooking the grounds, as well as a gift shop stocked with handmade items and herbs and plants grown in-house.
The striking architecture is simply begging to be featured in the BBC crime drama, and with filming for the fourth series due to commence imminently, it could very well happen. Fans will need to stay alert for their beloved Devon and Cornwall spots appearing in the evening programme, slated for a Spring 2026 release.
Beyond Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer