Tourism in Cornwall is seeing a noticeable uptick in visitors from Germany, a trend attributed in part to the popularity of a long-running German television series based on the works of Cornish author Rosamunde Pilcher. The series, which began airing in 1993, has helped to showcase Cornwall’s landscapes and historic locations to a wide German audience, boosting the region’s profile as a travel destination.
Shane Davison, a marketing executive from London who has spent several years hiking along the southwestern coast of England, observed an increase in European visitors during a recent walk from Exmoor through several Cornish towns, including Bude and Crackington Haven. “Over the years we’re seeing more and more tourists from European countries, but this year those from Germany were most notable,” Davison said. Speaking with local taxi drivers, he learned of a connection between the German tourists and the Rosamunde Pilcher television films set in Cornwall.
The TV series consists of 177 made-for-television movies adapted from Pilcher’s novels and short stories. The first film was a 1993 adaptation of her 1971 romance *The Day of the Storm*. Broadcast on the German public channel ZDF, the show has drawn approximately seven million viewers on Sunday evenings and has solidified Pilcher’s standing as a beloved figure in Germany, where she sold around 15 million books during her lifetime. Pilcher, who passed away in 2019 at age 94, once said that reading should feel like “a holiday.” Her legacy continues to attract more than 350,000 German visitors annually to Cornwall.
Former Visit Cornwall CEO Malcolm Bell described the films as effective “billboards” for the county due to their scenic outdoor shooting locations. “It’s comfort TV that certainly does show off Cornwall rather well,” Bell noted, highlighting the extensive use of drone shots and landscape views that emphasize the authenticity of Cornwall as a real and attractive destination.
The directors of the series have also commented on the region’s appeal. Marco Serafini, a director involved in the productions, said in 2016 that the coastal scenery and charming landscapes are true to the settings described in Pilcher’s writing and are a key reason for filming in Cornwall.
Several iconic Cornwall locations featured in the films have grown into tourist attractions, particularly for German visitors. These include Bedruthan Steps, known for its dramatic cliffs; Prideaux Place, a 16th-century house in Padstow that has hosted sixteen Pilcher films and draws a significant proportion of German tourists; and St Michael’s Mount, a rocky island crowned by a medieval church and castle. Other frequently used sites include Land’s End, Bodmin, Pencarrow House, Lanhydrock House, and the village of Lamorna along with nearby Mousehole and Lamorna Cove.
The continued popularity of the Rosamunde Pilcher television series demonstrates the influence of media in shaping travel patterns and underscores the enduring appeal of Cornwall’s natural beauty and historic landmarks to international visitors.