Many of the extras and minor characters in A Summer Story (such as Cyril Chudley, who played Betsy's father, seen in the sheep pen shaking hands with Mr Ashton) were actually real farmers. They were invited to take part in the film because they were accomplished country dancers. That years harvest had to be worked around the filming schedule.
In 1946, Jesse Jasky, Jr announced he would make a film of the story from a script by De Witt Bodeen at RKO, but nothing came of it. In 1969, Kenneth Hyman said he wanted to make his directorial debut with a film version of the story, which would be made for under $800,000, but again no movie resulted. In 1971, Peter Bogdanovich said he had wanted to make a film of the story "since he was about 16", but wanted to change the setting to Maine.
Imogen Stubbs and James Wilby share the same birthday.
Camilla Power's debut.
Despite being set on Dartmoor, the rural scenes were mostly filmed on Exmoor, specifically at Lyncombe Farm. Other scenes were filmed in Exeter, Dartmouth, and Sidmouth.