Earlier this summer, we analysed more than 20 years of film and television productions for our UK Coastal Screen Index and found something many Dorset locals won't be surprised by. Dorset has been Britain's most filmed coastline, appearing in everything from Broadchurch and Far From the Madding Crowd to Netflix blockbusters and Hollywood films.

As we researched the locations and revisited many of them, it reminded us how much remarkable scenery still lies beyond the famous landmarks. Whether you're planning a day out or staying in one of our Dorset holiday cottages, some of the county's most memorable places are the ones that have never appeared on the big screen.

But while famous locations such as Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Weymouth Harbour have all appeared on screen, we couldn't help wondering...

Which incredible Dorset places has Hollywood somehow overlooked?

These are ten locations we'd happily show any film director scouting their next production. They're dramatic, unusual and unforgettable, and, fortunately for the rest of us, they're still incredible places to explore.

Agglestone Rock

If there were ever a location made for fantasy cinema, Agglestone Rock would surely be near the top of the list.

Rising unexpectedly from the heathland above Studland, this enormous sandstone boulder appears as if it were dropped there by giants. Local folklore even claims the Devil threw it from the Isle of Wight after missing Corfe Castle.

We've walked here many times, usually with our dog racing ahead along the sandy trails. Every visit feels slightly different. Sometimes the rock emerges dramatically from the morning mist, while on bright summer evenings it glows a warm orange against the surrounding heath.

It wouldn't look out of place in a fantasy epic where dragons, giants or wizards roam. It’s remarkable that Agglestone Rock has never had a starring role on the big screen.

St Aldhelm’s Chapel

Perched dramatically above the cliffs at St Aldhelm's Head, this tiny Norman chapel seems as if it were built for the closing scene of a historical drama.

Standing alone against the sea and sky for almost 900 years, it's one of the most atmospheric places in Dorset. The surrounding cliffs plunge dramatically into the English Channel, while the horizon evokes a sense of complete isolation, surprisingly rare in southern England.

It's remarkable that somewhere this cinematic has never become one of Hollywood's favourite filming locations.

Tout Quarry

If Indiana Jones, Doctor Who, or a fantasy epic ever came in search of an extraordinary landscape, we'd send them straight to Tout Quarry.

High above the Isle of Portland, this former stone quarry is unlike anywhere else in Dorset. Nature has gradually reclaimed the abandoned workings, while sculptors have transformed many of the old quarry faces into art.

Every corner feels different. One moment you're walking through rugged limestone cuttings, the next you're discovering giant carved figures hidden among the rocks. It has an almost otherworldly feel, making it easy to imagine explorers uncovering ancient secrets or time travellers stepping through a portal into another world.

Anyone who visits can't help but be impressed.

Knowlton Church

Some places have an atmosphere that's hard to describe.

Knowlton Church is one of them.

The roofless medieval church stands at the centre of a Neolithic henge more than 4,000 years old, creating one of the most unusual historic landscapes in Britain. Ancient earthworks surround the church in a perfect circle, and no one knows exactly why generations chose to build one sacred place within another.

If a television director were seeking the perfect backdrop for a historical mystery or a supernatural thriller, Knowlton Church would surely be near the top of the list.

The Blue Pool

The Blue Pool almost feels too magical to be real.

Hidden among peaceful woodland near Wareham, the lake is famous for its constantly changing colour. Depending on the weather, sunlight and the water's mineral content, it can shift from deep blue to vivid turquoise or even emerald green within hours.

The surrounding woodland enhances the atmosphere, with winding paths, towering trees and plenty of viewpoints overlooking the water. It feels like the sort of place where a fairy tale, period romance or fantasy adventure could naturally unfold.

Chapman’s Pool

Chapman's Pool feels like one of Dorset's best-kept secrets.

Hidden beneath towering Jurassic Coast cliffs, this secluded cove can only be reached on foot, making the journey part of the adventure. When you arrive, it's easy to imagine smugglers hauling contraband ashore here by night or pirates watching for ships passing along the coast.

If a swashbuckling adventure or a historical drama ever needed the perfect secret cove, Chapman's Pool would be ready for its starring role.

Worbarrow Bay

Worbarrow Bay feels like stepping back in time.

Accessible only when the military training ranges are open, this beautiful bay has a sense of remoteness that's increasingly rare. Wide-open beaches, rolling hills and towering chalk cliffs create a landscape that seems unchanged for generations.

Its fascinating military history only adds to the appeal. Nearby Tyneham Village, abandoned during the Second World War, lends the whole area an atmosphere perfectly suited to a wartime drama or a historical feature film.

Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island is famous for its wildlife, history and status as the birthplace of Scouting, yet surprisingly little film or television has made use of its remarkable scenery.

A short ferry crossing takes you to an island of woodlands, open heathland and secluded beaches, where red squirrels dart through the trees and peacocks wander freely along the paths.

Whether it was a mystery, a family adventure, or a period drama, Brownsea could provide the perfect backdrop.

Shillingstone Station

Step onto the platform at Shillingstone Station, and it feels as though you've travelled back in time.

Lovingly restored by volunteers, this former Somerset & Dorset Railway station captures the golden age of steam travel. Vintage carriages, traditional station buildings and meticulously preserved railway details offer a unique glimpse into Dorset's past.

You half expect to see passengers arriving with suitcases in hand as a steam train pulls gently into the station.

If Hollywood were seeking the perfect 1950s railway setting, Dorset already has one ready.

Mudeford Spit

With its colourful beach huts lining the shore, Mudeford Spit feels made for the big screen.

Accessible by ferry or a scenic walk from Hengistbury Head, it's one of Dorset's most picturesque landscapes. Brightly painted beach huts overlook the sparkling water, fishing boats drift across Christchurch Harbour, and the Isle of Wight lies in the distance.

If a romantic comedy ever needed the perfect seaside backdrop, we'd struggle to think of anywhere better than this one.

Dorset’s Best Locations Are Still Waiting for Their Close-Ups

Perhaps it's not a bad thing that Hollywood hasn't discovered every corner of Dorset yet.

Part of the magic of these places is that they still feel undiscovered every time you visit. You can wander through ancient quarries without queues, stand alone beside a medieval chapel as the sun sinks into the sea, or discover hidden beaches where the loudest sound is the waves rolling onto the shore.

Earlier this year, our UK Coastal Screen Index named Dorset Britain's most filmed coastline, celebrating the places that have already starred on screen. Yet these ten remarkable locations prove there are still countless corners of the county waiting for their big-screen moment.

If you're inspired to explore them for yourself, our guide to Britain's Hollywood Coast  highlights the locations that have already appeared in blockbuster films and television, while our collection of Luxury Dorset holiday cottages offers the perfect base for discovering both Dorset's famous filming locations and the hidden gems still waiting for their starring role.

Who knows? The next great film location scout might arrive before your next visit.