FILM and television productions spent more than £4 million in Somerset over the last year, according to new figures.

The latest Screen Somerset report said the £4.2m spend came during the 2024/25 financial year, much of which will have been in the hotel and hospitality sector.

It came as the county is set for a starring role on the big screen with the release of The Salt Path, the screen adaptation of Raynor Winn’s best-selling book, which will be released in cinemas across the UK on Friday (May 30).

The movie is one of many films and TV shows that have shot in Somerset recently, in locations including Cheddar, Axbridge, Shepton Mallet, Brean, Minehead, Norton St Philip, Wookey and Bishops Lydeard.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s lead member for economic development, planning and assets, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many productions coming our way. This is driven by our stunning and varied locations, but also the council’s work to make Somerset film-friendly and proactively promote it as a place to come and shoot.

“I’ve seen first-hand in my own division the spend that film production brings and The Salt Path is a perfect example of the potential longer-term benefits of screen tourism.

“There’s a lot of scope to use filming to attract more visitors and generate other positive spin-offs for local skills and employment. It really is all for the greater good.”

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Screen Somerset assists filmmakers in finding locations, as well as helping ensure shoots run smoothly. It provides a single point of contact, local knowledge, and works with the council’s highways, parking and property services.

The project also proactively promotes the county to regional, national and international location managers, working closely with Creative England’s Filming in England Partnership which is responsible for promoting filming outside London.

Screen Somerset supported The Salt Path filming when it shot along the Exmoor coast in the spring of 2023, with Minehead, Culvercliffe Walk, North Hill, Bossington Hill and Porlock Weir all set to get considerable screen time in the final edit.

Charlotte Wood, production liaison manager for the South West region at Creative England’s Filming in England, said: “It’s fantastic to accommodate so many high-profile TV Dramas and Feature productions in the South West region.

“The release of The Salt Path is testament to the fantastic array of locations available in the region and in Somerset. The service provided by Screen Somerset has enhanced the positive impact filming can bring to the local economy.”

A number of landmarks in Wells feature heavily in comedy classic, Hot Fuzz. Picture: Paul Jones/Leveller

And John Turner, CEO of Visit Somerset, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for the Somerset region as the global film industry begins to fully recognise our extraordinary landscapes and heritage-rich locations. From the timeless beauty of the City of Wells and the medieval charm of Dunster, to our five designated National Landscapes and more than 60 miles of breathtaking coastline — Somerset offers a cinematic canvas like no other.

“We are also privileged to be home to some of the country’s most iconic historic houses, expertly cared for by the National Trust, as well as dramatic gorges and tranquil lakes that lend themselves perfectly to a wide range of film genres.

“I am immensely proud of the work being done by Screen Somerset and our ongoing collaboration with Somerset Council.

“Together, we are positioning film tourism as a powerful economic catalyst for the region. Over the coming year, we look forward to continuing this momentum and unlocking new opportunities for Somerset through the dynamic growth of the film and screen sector.”

Over the years, Somerset has played key roles in some huge cinema favourites, including the Simon Pegg-Edgar Wright cult cop comedy classic, Hot Fuzz, which was filmed largely in Wells.