It’s February, and that means it’s grey, it’s dreary, and it’s the perfect time to brew a cup of tea and disappear into a good, moody crime thriller. Luckily, there are plenty of atmospheric British mysteries to sink your teeth into this year. One that is sure to have you hooked is Under Salt Marsh.
Created by Claire Oakley and starring Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, the new Welsh crime drama sees a plucky detective-turned-teacher returning to her old profession (and her estranged ex-partner) to solve a timely local case on the coast of Wales. It’s a blustery, boggy, brutal coastline, as the title would suggest – and it serves as the perfect backdrop for psychologically compelling drama with a good mystery to boot.
As moody as the scenery in this corner of Wales may be, it’s also picturesque, in a broody sort of way. Most viewers will probably find themselves wondering: Is the town of Morfa Halen real? And, more importantly, where is it?
Chris Harris/Sky
Where is Under Salt Marsh filmed?
Barmouth
Under Salt Marsh was primarily filmed in the west of Wales amongst the marshy landscapes that line the coast.
Barmouth, a town of just 2,500 people, served as one of the remote coastal locations. The town is hidden below a towering hill and is perched on the coast on north-west Wales. With its pretty historic streets and sandy beaches, it’s a popular tourist destination in the summer – and is a lot less gloomy than it may appear in the show.
Fairbourne
Just south of Barmouth sits the town of Fairbourne, where the team also set up camp. This town of 1,000 people is another coastal village that also brought the marshy landscapes of Under Salt Marsh to life.
Chris Harris/Sky
Anglesey
Although most of the filming took place between Barmouth and Fairbourne, they also spent some time filming on the island of Anglesey just off the mainland’s north-west coast. With its ancient, rocky landscapes and magnificent beaches, it offered the perfect dramatic scenery for the show.
Cardiff
Though almost all of the show was shot on location, one marsh was built on a set for the show’s epic showdown in the finale.