Cornwall's historic port of Charlestown has been bought for an 'undisclosed sum' by Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit.
The Grade II listed 18th century harbour, used in part for the filming of BBC's period drama Poldark, stretches 23 acres and is one of the few privately owned ports in Britain.
Located about a mile outside the town of St Austell, the sale includes the inner and outer harbour, adjoining beaches, two shops, roads, workshops and historic sailing ships.
With the sale expected to go through in a matter of weeks, the selling agent has said all current and future filming contracts would be honoured, BBC News reports.
Jeremy Beeching, a partner at SBC Property based in Truro, said the harbour had not been marketed for sale but a deal was made after Smit approached the current owner – Shane McCarthy of Atlantic Productions – and they agreed an 'undisclosed sum'.
Also founder of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Smit is said to be adding the port to the Shipwreck and Heritage Centre in Charlestown that he acquired in 2016.
'The filming is particularly important to the popularity of the harbour,' Beeching told BBC News. 'It is a major tourist attraction in its own right and under Tim Smit's ownership it will increase I think because he is very good at attractions.'
The port was built in the late 1700s by Charles Rashleigh in response to the growth of the local mining industry.
Remaining unspoiled and retaining much of its Georgian character, Charlestown’s many film credits include Poldark, the Tom Hardy BBC series Taboo and Tim Burton’s film, Alice in Wonderland.
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