Tourists flock to Broadchurch beach to lay flowers for fictional child's death

Filed under: UK travel

Tourists flock to Broadchurch location to lay flowers for fictional child's death
Patrick Redmond/ITV plc

Dorset's Jurassic Coast has seen a boom in tourism recently as fans of the ITV murder-mystery programme, Broadchurch, are visiting filming locations, with some going as far as laying flowers where fictional character Danny Latimer was found dead.

Bridport news reports that 'Broadies' are flocking to the area after seeing Bridport's West Bay featured as the backdrop of the phenomenally successful show.

The series, which stars David Tennant and Olivia Coleman, is watched by over 9 million viewers.

Roy Haines, from Woking, told the Bridport news that he visited the area specifically to track down filming locations from the thriller.

He said: "It is great for the area, everyone is talking about it here."

Sue Gater and Darren Lambert, from Stafford, headed to West Bay after watching Broadchurch and said: "We have been trying to pick out the places we have seen on the telly, it is very dramatic."

Broadchurch isn't just boosting tourism either. The Daily Record reports that local businesses and residents have also jumped on the bandwagon.

Natalie Manifold, a tour guide who leads Jane Austen and French Lieutenant's Woman walks in Lyme Regis said: "People kept telling me to start a Broadchurch tour because they already come here to see the show's sights, so it made sense."

Manifold also confirmed that flowers had been left at the spot on the shore where 11-year-old Danny's body was found.

Chris Chibnall, the Bridport-based writer of the programme, has taken great pains to keep the identity of the murderer a secret, even from other cast members saying: "None of them knew who the killer was.

"It added an extra level of intrigue to the production: the cast and crew started their own sweepstake, the make-up truck kept a rogues' gallery of photofit pictures on their wall, with comments on the suspected motives for each character."

Broadchurch concludes tonight (Monday) at 9pm on ITV.

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