British cinema filmed in Lanzarote

There were periods in Lanzarote’s history when the connection with London was almost stronger than with Madrid. From the arrival of Anglo-Norman knights at the beginning of the conquest of the Canary Islands in 1402, to the holidays of 21st-century prime ministers such as David Cameron, the relationship between Lanzarote and the northern Atlantic islands has been very strong for centuries. Even after Brexit, the United Kingdom remains, by far, the island’s main tourist market, with dozens of weekly flights and many British residents who have been living in Lanzarote for decades.

With this long-standing familiarity, it is hardly surprising that British audiovisual productions are the second most common in Lanzarote after Spanish ones. In this route we will suggest several stops to remember these films and series, while also sharing stories about the unique nature and history of the “island of volcanoes”.

We will begin the route in Famara, Lanzarote’s largest beach and a location that appears in the first major international film shot here in 1966, a British production with worldwide impact: One Million Years B.C. This classic “prehistoric cinema” film directed by Don Chaffey was shot in several Canary Islands, although the famous scenes of Raquel Welch emerging from the sea in her iconic cavewoman bikini were most likely filmed on Lanzarote’s beaches. The success was so great that British company Hammer Films soon tried to repeat it with When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1968), also filmed in the Canary Islands, although only a few scenes were shot on Lanzarote.

Famara is ideal for lovers of surfing and other water sports, and there are several schools offering beginner courses. Nearby lies La Santa, a coastal village famous for the quality of its waves, where scenes from Blue Juice (1995) were filmed, featuring two British actors who would later become huge stars: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ewan McGregor. Both La Santa and Caleta de Famara offer a wide and varied selection of great restaurants and local bars for lunch or breakfast.

Near La Santa you can enter the Timanfaya National Park, but since this extraordinary volcanic territory has its own dedicated film route, our recommendation here is to stop at the Mancha Blanca Visitor and Interpretation Centre, a museum space where the great volcanic eruptions that reshaped Lanzarote between 1730 and 1736 are explained. In addition to exhibition and simulation rooms, the centre also provides access to several viewpoints where you can appreciate the dramatic volcanic landscape—an essential resource for two US–UK co-productions set on distant planets: Krull (1983) and Enemy Mine (1985). The former was directed by English filmmaker Peter Yates, who enjoyed a long career, received several Oscar nominations and worked with actors such as Peter O’Toole, Steve McQueen and Robert Redford. More recently, Eternals (2021) was filmed here, featuring British actors like Gemma Chan and Richard Madden. It’s worth remembering that Lanzarote’s landscapes have led to international recognition by the UN as a Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO Global Geopark, and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

Timanfaya and its surrounding area (the Natural Park of the Volcanoes) have also hosted episodes from two landmark British science-fiction series: The Martian Chronicles (1979) and Black Mirror (2017). The first was directed by Michael Anderson, known for films such as Around the World in 80 Days, 1984 and Logan’s Run, while the second is the hugely successful creation of English writer and broadcaster Charlie Brooker. In 2010 the super-production Clash of the Titans was also filmed here, featuring several well-known British actors such as Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, Sam Worthington and Gemma Arterton.

Lanzarote’s geography has not only attracted tourists and British filmmakers; since the 15th century there have been valuable testimonies from British travellers, chroniclers and scientists who have written about the island’s unique characteristics. Now we propose a short journey north to continue the route. In Haría, a charming small village where Lanzarote’s rural atmosphere is still preserved, Alison: Over the Moon (1991) and My Dearest Enemy / Dr. Gräsler (1989) were filmed. The latter stood out for its British actresses Miranda Richardson and Kristin Scott Thomas, both winners of several BAFTA awards.

The final stop is one of Lanzarote’s artistic marvels: the Mirador del Río. Located very near Haría, this cultural space designed by Lanzarote artist César Manrique beautifully blends architecture and nature. This magical location has hosted iconic science-fiction productions, such as the British series Doctor Who (BBC) and the more recent American series Foundation (Apple TV), which features outstanding British actors such as Jared Harris. It is also the perfect place to enjoy views of the Chinijo Archipelago, the group of islets north of Lanzarote that form one of the largest marine reserves in the European Union. Here, In the Heart of the Sea (2014) was filmed, a Hollywood production featuring several well-known English actors, including Tom Holland.

We can think of no better place to end this route exploring the relationship between Lanzarote and the United Kingdom than this magnificent balcony overlooking the Atlantic. British figures such as Winston Churchill, Francis Drake, Horatio Nelson, William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and The Beatles have all travelled through the waters and lands of our archipelago. There is definitely something in the Canary Islands that has always attracted people from our northern island neighbours.