Where Was The Movie About Time Filmed
So, I was rewatching About Time the other night—you know, that ridiculously charming Domhnall Gleeson flick about time travel and family—and I had that moment. You know the on...
So, I was rewatching About Time the other night—you know, that ridiculously charming Domhnall Gleeson flick about time travel and family—and I had that moment. You know the one: you get so sucked into the world that you forget it’s not real. Suddenly, I wasn't watching Bill Nighy give sage advice; I was just desperately trying to figure out where on earth that beachside cottage was. Because, let’s be honest, if I can’t travel through time, the least I can do is travel to the filming location.
That’s the thing about this movie. It isn't just a story; it’s a massive, warm hug of a film that makes you believe in second chances. But the magic isn’t just in the script. A huge part of its cozy, nostalgic feel comes from the places where it was filmed. So, grab your metaphorical umbrella (because it’s England, after all), and let’s take a little trip behind the scenes.
Let’s start with the most iconic spot: the family home, right? That sprawling, slightly messy seaside house where Tim and his dad play table tennis? That’s not a movie set. It’s a real, actual house called St. Anthony’s Head, or more accurately, the Point House at the tip of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Yes, Cornwall. The beaches you see? They’re Kynance Cove and Porthcurno Beach. I swear, just looking at those cliffs makes me want to quit my job and live on pasties.
And get this: the production team didn’t just plop the house there. They built that idyllic, winding garden path leading down to the private beach. It’s a damn shame it wasn’t a permanent fixture, because I would’ve moved in immediately. If you ever visit Cornwall (and you really should), the scenery is so untouched that you’ll half-expect Bill Nighy to pop out from behind a rock and explain the mechanics of family time travel.
But what about London? Tim moves to the big city, and we get a very specific flavor of London. His first flat-share? That’s in Holloway Road, North London. You can practically smell the damp and the leftover curry. The restaurant where he first meets the stunning Mary (Rachel McAdams)? That’s the Pizza Express on Leadenhall Street in the City of London. Ironic, right? A magical love story starting over a margherita. It’s so wonderfully unromantic on paper, yet it’s perfect.
Cornwall Movies 60 Photos - Moonagedaydream.film
The underground station he uses? That’s Charing Cross and Embankment. And the art gallery where they have their first real date? That’s the Tate Modern—the massive turbine hall. But here’s the kicker: the Alexandra Palace theatre is where he and Mary go for their first “proper” date. It’s a stunning old Victorian theatre with a view that makes you forget your popcorn is overpriced. You can see it from all over London.
Oh, and the wedding? That gorgeous, rain-soaked ceremony? That was filmed at the St. Mary’s Church in St. Mary in the Marsh, Kent. It’s a tiny, ancient church with a crooked spire. The irony that the most chaotic, time-sensitive wedding scene was shot in a place that looks like it hasn’t changed since the 1700s is just chef’s kiss.
But the real star of the About Time location tour? The beach. Remember the long, wide, atmospheric beach where Tim and his dad walk? That’s Frensham Great Pond in Surrey—wait, no, that’s the pond scene. The actual stormy beach is Porthcurno again. But the final, emotional walk? That’s on Frensham Little Pond. It’s not even a sea beach—it’s an inland pond with sand! Director Richard Curtis loves a bit of cinematic trickery, doesn’t he?
The Cornish Beach House from the Movie "About Time"
So, what did we learn? First: Richard Curtis shot all the best scenes in Cornwall, then threw in some London landmarks for urban grit. Second: you can actually visit most of these places. I’m serious. You can stand on the exact spot where Tim kissed Mary in the rain. Just don’t expect the weather to cooperate—that part is 100% authentic British.
Honestly, the best part about tracking down these locations is realizing how normal they are. The family home isn’t some celebrity mansion; it’s a holiday let. The restaurant is just a pizza joint. It makes the magic feel accessible. It makes you feel like maybe, just maybe, you could live in that movie for a weekend. And if you do, pack a raincoat and don’t bother with a watch. Time works differently there.
So, next time you watch Tim run back through those dark corridors to save a play, remember: it was probably filmed in a real theatre where people actually do shows. And that weird, warm feeling you get? That’s the location doing its job. It’s a love letter to the everyday places we walk past—if only we’d notice. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden, overwhelming urge to book a train ticket to Cornwall. Anyone want to join me for a trip to the beach? Please don’t ask me for the time.
