Where is Vera: The Rising Tide set? Filming location revealed
The gorgeous island is real.
It might be Christmas, but that doesn't mean the hard work stops for Vera Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn).
She's called to investigate a curious suicide of a minor celebrity but when she sees the body, she clocks immediately that he was actually killed.
The unique thing about where Rick (Adrian Mills) dies is that he was staying on a tidal island before he passed – when the tide rises, the island is only accessible by boat.
The island used on Vera is actually the real island from the story: Lindisfarne, or Holy Island to some.
Read on to find out more about the stunning location in Vera: The Rising Tide.
Where was Vera: The Rising Tide filmed?
Vera: The Rising Tide was set and filmed on the tidal island of Lindisfarne.
Known to some as Holy Island, the rugged land is a site of pilgrimage in Celtic Christianity and is situated off the east coast towards the top of Northumberland county.
It was originally home to a monastery which was destroyed during the Viking invasions, but was later reconstructed.
Those who wish to visit the island by car need to time their trips carefully – the island is only accessible by a causeway when the tide is low. Otherwise, you'll need a boat.
Speaking about filming on Lindisfarne, Brenda Blethyn said: "It was lovely filming on Holy Island. It’s such a special place and everyone is so friendly. But we filmed this in November and December of 2022 and it was very cold. The tide is still in when Vera gets the call about the death so she has to travel on a pilot boat to the island.
"I was actually out on the boat but I'm not sure you see that in the final edit. There will have been some priceless footage on the boat but they've had to cut it for time reasons."
Speaking on the difficulties of filming on the gusty island, Blethyn added: "You do see Vera walking up the Holy Island harbour steps from the boat with her mac flapping around in a strong wind.
"We couldn't risk losing Vera's hat at sea so it was kept firmly in place at all times. The hat was pulled down securely on my head with some elastic pushed inside the hat and then under my chin. A very good practical solution which you can't see because the elastic is flesh coloured and it fits into the shape of my jaw.
"So I just pulled the hat down and made sure it didn't blow off into the North Sea. We couldn't use hat pins because if the wind is really strong and the hat takes off it is pulling on your hair. Like being scalped! So we used a crafty bit of elastic under the chin."
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Furthermore, this isn't the only time you'll have seen Lindisfarne on Vera – the detective's gorgeous cottage is actually situated there!
Blethyn revealed: "Viewers who know the area have long since recognised that we use a property on Holy Island for the exterior shots of Vera's cottage with the interior filmed back at the studios. But I'm not sure if the fact she lives on the island has ever been directly mentioned on screen before.
"I mean, how could she live on an island where the tide comes in twice a day and cuts the residents off? I guess you could call it dramatic licence!"
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Authors
Helen Daly is the Associate Editor for Radio Times, overseeing new initiatives and commercial projects for the brand. She was previously Deputy TV Editor at a national publication. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.
