Cornwall


<p>It&#8217;s the ITV series that everyone is talking about this month. <em>Playing Nice, </em>based on the best-selling novel by JP Delaney, is an ITV limited series set against a sweeping Cornish landscape. Spoiler alert: the subject matter is pretty thought-provoking. Two couples discover their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up, and face a horrifying dilemma: keep the sons they have raised and loved, or reclaim their biological child?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Playing Nice Official Trailer | ITV" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YinqO2PZks8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Playing Nice Cornwall</figcaption></figure>



<p>Instead of the original book&#8217;s London setting, the exec producers Kitty Kaletsky, James Norton, Joe Naftalin, Kate Crowe, Grace Ofori-Attah and author JP Delaney and producer Nick Pitt chose to move the action and storyline to Cornwall, where the two couples, Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) and Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay) live and work.</p>



<p>Want to find out &#8211; and visit &#8211; where those familiar Cornish backdrops were shot?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playing-nice-cornwall-location-guide-where-was-the-itv-drama-filmed"><strong>Playing Nice Cornwall location guide: Where was the ITV drama filmed?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Mevagissey-Cornwall-1000x667.jpg" alt="Mevagissey harbour Cornwall UK filming location in playing nice cornwall" class="wp-image-35815" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Mevagissey-Cornwall-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Mevagissey-Cornwall-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Mevagissey-Cornwall-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Mevagissey-Cornwall.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mevagissey">Mevagissey</h2>



<p>Episode one of <em>Playing Nice</em> opens with scenes of Pete &#8211; and little Theo &#8211; in Mevagissey, where the distinctive white lighthouse sits on the end of the harbour wall. If you&#8217;re brave, you can drive right out and park on the wall above the harbour (the streets are very narrow though) or park in the town and walk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watergate-bay">Watergate Bay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder-03535-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder filming location in playing nice cornwall" class="wp-image-32475" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder-03535-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder-03535-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder-03535-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder-03535-787x525.jpeg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/Zacrys-on-the-sea-wall-watergate-bay-credit-Lewis-Harrison-Pinder-03535.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Maddie&#8217;s restaurant, first seen in episode one, is a real restaurant, now <a href="https://watergatebay.co.uk/food-drink/restaurants/zacrys">Zacry&#8217;s at Watergate Bay</a> &#8211; but previously Emily Scott&#8217;s. The restaurant looks out over the wide sandy beach at Watergate Bay. The <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/extra-september-foodie-news-new-restaurants-cornwall/">restaurant is under the care of Chris Eden</a> and open to residents and non-residents alike, and there&#8217;s really is a fantastic view just like in Playing Nice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mawgan-porth-nr-newquay">Mawgan Porth, Nr Newquay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Surfers-mawgan-porth-Photo-148203705-Surf-Cornwall-©-Milton-Cogheil-Dreamstime.com--1000x667.jpeg" alt="surfers at mawgan porth filming location in playing nice cornwall" class="wp-image-33217" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Surfers-mawgan-porth-Photo-148203705-Surf-Cornwall-©-Milton-Cogheil-Dreamstime.com--1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Surfers-mawgan-porth-Photo-148203705-Surf-Cornwall-©-Milton-Cogheil-Dreamstime.com--800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Surfers-mawgan-porth-Photo-148203705-Surf-Cornwall-©-Milton-Cogheil-Dreamstime.com--768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Surfers-mawgan-porth-Photo-148203705-Surf-Cornwall-©-Milton-Cogheil-Dreamstime.com-.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The cast of Playing Nice learnt to surf at Mawgan Porth, under the expert tuition of <a href="https://www.kingsurf.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/">King Surf instructor Pete</a>. It makes sense that the surfing scenes were filmed here. </p>



<p>Mawgan Porth is also the location for the <a href="https://www.watershedd.com/project/sand-dunes/">quite frankly stunning home</a> of Miles and Lucy, which James Norton describes as &#8220;on the top of a hill overlooking a beautiful beach&#8221;. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Watershed - Sandunes" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/644826541?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="500" height="213" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media"></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jubilee-pool-penzance">Jubilee Pool, Penzance</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/Jubilee-Pool.png" alt="Jubilee Pool Penzance filming location in playing nice cornwall" class="wp-image-20319" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/Jubilee-Pool.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/Jubilee-Pool-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/Jubilee-Pool-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/Jubilee-Pool-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/Jubilee-Pool-787x525.png 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Niamh Algar, who plays Maddie, visits Penzance&#8217;s <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/jubilee-pool-penzance/">Jubilee Pool</a>, as does Lucy, played by Jessica Brown Findlay &#8211; along with the boys Theo and David. James Norton is also filmed swimming in the cold seawater too in another scene. The UK&#8217;s largest seawater pool is one of the most celebrated. The pool is beautiful, in art deco style, filling on the high tide. Sadly for locals, the geothermal part now closes over the winter, but the cold part is still open (just pre-book your tickets) and there&#8217;s lots of events on, like full moon swims. They also have a sauna now too &#8211; <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/fitness-trends-classes-to-try-near-you-in-cornwall/">for your hot / cold fix</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-porthcothan-nr-padstow">Porthcothan, Nr Padstow</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/F3D1F0D5-73B4-47E1-A574-E68F16FCB51E-1000x750.jpeg" alt="Porthcothan Beach filming location in playing nice cornwall" class="wp-image-35837" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/F3D1F0D5-73B4-47E1-A574-E68F16FCB51E-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/F3D1F0D5-73B4-47E1-A574-E68F16FCB51E-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/F3D1F0D5-73B4-47E1-A574-E68F16FCB51E-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/F3D1F0D5-73B4-47E1-A574-E68F16FCB51E.jpeg 1165w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Some of the beach scenes in Playing Nice were also filmed at Porthcothan, near Padstow, marked by the distinctive “Will’s Rock” (although you can’t actually see it in my photo above) — this lovely sandy beach is a real favourite and is lifeguarded in the summer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minions-bodmin-moor">Minions, Bodmin Moor</h2>



<p>Pete makes the journey to investigate Miles’ background in his &#8216;native Scotland&#8217; in the storyline, but so far as the filming location in Playing Nice is concerned, he actually only makes it as far as Bodmin Moor, with the scene filmed at Minions, Cornwall&#8217;s highest village. The distinctive Caradon Hill Mast is visible behind the café &#8211; where you can head for a cup of tea before taking a walk up to the Hurlers Stone Circle and the Cheesewring, or even for a swim at Goldiggins Quarry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tate-st-ives">Tate St Ives</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/03/Tate-StIves-143-4981.jpg" alt="Tate St Ives filming location in playing nice cornwall" class="wp-image-18517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/03/Tate-StIves-143-4981.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/03/Tate-StIves-143-4981-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/03/Tate-StIves-143-4981-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/03/Tate-StIves-143-4981-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another scene in Playing Nice is filmed in St Ives, where all four of the parents attend a fundraising event at the Tate St Ives. The <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/first-look-malgorzata-mirga-tas-tate-st-ives/">last major exhibition</a> ended on 5 January, but the next &#8211; <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/ithell-colquhoun-between-worlds">Ithell Colquhoun</a> &#8211; opens on 1 February, and in between you can still catch the permanent exhibitions exploring the links between modern art and Cornwall. Don&#8217;t miss the sea view restaurant on the top floor &#8211; an amazing Cornish view.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-park-head-nr-bedruthan-newquay">Park Head, Nr Bedruthan, Newquay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/bedruthan-steps.jpeg" alt="Bedruthan Steps beach, was the location for a crucial scene in the final episode of Playing Nice." class="wp-image-23871" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/bedruthan-steps.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/bedruthan-steps-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/bedruthan-steps-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/bedruthan-steps-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/bedruthan-steps-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Park Head, above Bedruthan Steps beach, was the location for a crucial scene in the final episode of Playing Nice. Sadly, you still cannot access Bedruthan Steps beach itself, with the steps closed off. The area makes a great walk with sweeping vistas across the bay. Don&#8217;t miss my favourite NT cream tea at Carnewas tea room!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-truro-amp-penwith-college">Truro &amp; Penwith College</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Discover our STEM &amp; Health Skills Centre in Bodmin | Truro and Penwith College" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/enhM-nlTVj0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>The hospital scenes were filmed at Truro &amp; Penwith College&#8217;s purpose-built facilities for students at the <a href="https://www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/stemcentre/">STEM &amp; Health Skills Centre Bodmin</a> &#8211; they are where Cornwall&#8217;s future health care workers learn. In Playing Nice they doubled as NICU and the ward at the fictional Cornish hospital.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playing-nice-cast-in-newquay">Playing Nice cast in Newquay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Newquay-newquay-1599311_1920-1000x667.jpeg" alt="The cast were based in Newquay for the filming of Playing Nice" class="wp-image-31941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Newquay-newquay-1599311_1920-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Newquay-newquay-1599311_1920-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Newquay-newquay-1599311_1920-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Newquay-newquay-1599311_1920-788x525.jpeg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Newquay-newquay-1599311_1920.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The filming of Playing Nice took place in the autumn and winter of 2023/2024, with the cast staying in Newquay. </p>



<p><em>The full series is available now on ITVX.</em> <em>Episodes <em>three and four a</em></em>re <em><em>broadcast on ITV1 on 12 &amp; 13 January</em>.</em></p>


Where was Playing Nice filmed in Cornwall?

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