Locals 'so excited' for The Salt Path film

1 day ago

Ross Pollard

BBC News, Somerset

Gillian Anderson snapped by locals during the filming of The Salt Path in Minehead

Mark Kingston-James The actor Gillian Anderson looks towards the photographer during the filming of The Salt path in Minehead. She is wearing a pink vest and shorts and has a red rucksack strapped to her back and waist. She has blond hair pulled back in a ponytail and is standing in front of a high grey brick wall with a camera on a tripod pointed at her. — Gillian Anderson snapped by locals during the filming of The Salt Path in Minehead

People who live along a coastal road where part of the new film adaptation of The Salt Path was set say they're very excited for its release.

The film, out on 30 May, stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, who play a married couple who walk the South West Coast Path after losing their home and one of them receiving an incurable diagnosis.

The early part of the film was shot in Minehead, alongside Porlock Weir, Bossington and various locations in Devon and Cornwall.

Residents who live on Quay Street in Minehead have fond memories of spotting Anderson and Isaacs outside their homes two years ago.

"We're all very excited for the film," says Mandy Nixon whose home overlooked scenes as they were shot in Minehead

A woman in a white vest top with short blonde hair is sitting outside a cream house with a window. She is smiling at the camera. — "We're all very excited for the film," says Mandy Nixon whose home overlooked scenes as they were shot in Minehead

Mandy Nixon's home overlooks where the filming took place and is one of those living on Quay Street who has read the book by Raynor Winn.

She and others have shared the book and ed it between houses since the filming first inspired their curiosity.

She said: "We're all actually going together to see the film and we're very excited."

Regarding the filming, she said: "We had to move our cars and they were here for two or three days."

Mark was very excited to have Gillian Anderson filming outside his house

A man smiles at the camera with a blue t shirt with green collar — Mark was very excited to have Gillian Anderson filming outside his house

Mandy's husband Mark re it being "very, very busy and with lots of people coming to watch the filming" on their street.

He said he wanted to invited Anderson and Isaacs in for a cup of tea.

"We moved down here for the scenery, the hills, the sea... so we're really excited to watch the film," he added.

Gillian Anderson plays author Raynor Winn as she accompanies her ailing husband Moth along the gruelling South West Coastal Path

Mark Kingston-James Gillian Anderson on Minehead seafront during filming of The Salt Path — Gillian Anderson plays author Raynor Winn as she accompanies her ailing husband Moth along the gruelling South West Coastal Path

A few houses down lives Mark Kingston-James, who also saw the cast filming outside his home in Minehead and photographed Gillian Anderson and the crew.

He said: "We are the gateway to Exmoor and I've noticed since (the filming) an increase in walkers using the coast path.

"It shows what Minehead's got nature wise and I think it's a different angle."

The film showcases some of Exmoor's most picturesque locations and was made with the help of Screen Somerset and the South West Coast Path Association (SWA) as well as Exmoor National Park, Visit Exmoor and Visit Somerset.

The Salt Path is released in the UK on May 30.