Filmed in Wales
Wales has been a prime spot for plenty of films over the years thanks to its natural beauty and variety of locations. Olga Rachello tracks down the most iconic locations and the best places to go amongst them.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – Henrhyd Waterfall, Powys.
Batman always did know how to make an entrance, and Welsh hikers will be delighted to know they can too. Fans might recall the Gotham City superhero accessed his Batcave through a waterfall in The Dark Knight Rises, which turned out to be none other than Henrhyd Falls, the tallest waterfall in south Wales, on the southwestern edge of the Brecon Beacons. Reaching the base of the waterfall involves clambering down a sloped path and then up some wooden steps. The little hike is worth the view, and bolder visitors can experience the unusual thrill of seeing the world from behind a watery curtain.
Where to stay: If you’re in a Gothic mood, spend the night at Craig-Y-Nos Castle, a dreamy wedding and accommodation venue within hiking distance from the waterfall.
Info: www.craigynoscastle.com
An American Werewolf In London (1981) – Hay Bluff
The American werewolf in the classic 80s horror comedy strayed quite a way from London, all the way to Powys to shoot some scenes. The exterior of The Slaughtered Lamb was a private house in Crickadarn and the scene where David and Jack get off the sheep truck is set against a backdrop of hills near Hay Bluff. To relive the atmosphere of the backpackers’ unlikely adventure, we recommend a puffa jacket in primary colours and adequately sinister clouds.
Where to stay: If you’re in a backpacking mood, Newcourt Farm Campsite is located in the foothills of the Black Mountains, not far from Hay-On-Wye.
Info: www.newcourt-campsite.co.uk
The Edge Of Love (2008) – New Quay
The Edge of Love saw a star-studded cast fly into Wales, including Keira Knightley and Cillian Murphy. In the 2008 romantic drama, loosely based on the life of Dylan Thomas, Wales got to be itself for once. Several scenes set against a backdrop of the big blue sea were filmed in Tenby and New Quay, and the fictional courthouse was none other than the Town Hall in Lampeter.
Where to stay: Got that Dylan Thomas feeling? After the film set tour, wander on from Tenby to visit the Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne, on the estuary of the River Tâf, where the poet lived for several years. After that, you can you can rest your tired feet with castle views and locally sourced breakfast at The Boat House B&B.
Info: www.theboathouselaugharne.co.uk
Robin Hood (2010) / Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows (2010-11) – Freshwater West
Freshwater West is not only one of the most popular surfing spots in Wales, it has also attracted several production companies looking for sandy settings. Most notably, the beach was chosen to house the quirky Shell Cottage featured in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. It also appears in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood as his band of merry men gallop along the coastline. Swimming in the tide-ripped waters is not recommended, but the area makes for glorious seaside walks.
Where to stay: If you’re feeling beachy, Angle Bay Bed and Breakfast overlooking Angle Bay offers cosy accommodation within The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Info: www.anglebay.co.uk
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle Of Life (2003) – Snowdonia
Could the Far East be just up the road? Snowdonia’s varied countryside lends itself to endless landscape impersonations, and in 2001 the northern peaks of our northern national park turned into the backdrop of a Chinese village nestled on the emerald shores of Llyn Gwynant for Angelina Jolie’s take on the popular video game heroine.
Where to stay: Landscape is not the only thing that Wales and China have in common: the two countries also share a penchant for chimerical creatures. If you’re in a monstrous mood, you’ll find Red Dragon Cottages just down the road.
Info: www.reddragonholidays.co.uk
King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (2017) – Snowdonia
The 2017 retelling of the mythical legend of King Arthur features some classic Guy Ritchie action, as well as, errr, an armour-clad David Beckham. Snowdonia was elected as one of the spots to showcase British wilderness and many a scene is lined with the craggy edge of Tryfan, one of Snowdonia’s most famous spots. If fans wish to follow in King Arthur’s footsteps, another notable filming location includes popular diving destination Vivian Quarry.
Where to stay: If you’re in a medieval-but-modern mood, try the glamping option at Gwern Gof Isaf hill-farm and campsite.
Info: gwerngofisaf.co.uk
The Legend Of Tarzan (2016) – Snowdonia
Snowdonia dressed up as the African wilderness for this one. In addition to the mountains of northern Italy, the production crew used moulds from the Dinorwig slate quarry to recreate some of the featured landscape. You can expect cooler weather in the original location, but both the greenness and the humidity should be comparable to its fictional counterpart.
Where to stay: If you can’t get to the Alps, tap into your inner climber and stay at the Alpine Lodge Hotel at the foot of Snowdon itself. The family-run hotel with lake and mountain views is in Llanberis, home of the National Slate Museum.
Info: www.alpinelodgehotel.co.uk
Restoration (1995) – Caerphilly Castle
Long before his Iron Man days, Robert Downey Jr. could be seen romping around Caerphilly Castle while filming historical drama Restoration. The 13th-century castle and elaborate network of artificial lakes also makes an appearance in BBC series Merlin. Both the castle and the gardens offer guided tours and fun for the whole family.
Where to stay: If you’re in a historic mood, why not stay in early-Edwardian Ty Castell Guest House.
Info: www.tycastellguesthouse.co.uk
Snow White And The Huntsman (2012) – Marloes Sands
Another sandy movie set to visit is Marloes Sands, where Kristen Stewart led her cavalry towards evil queen Charlize Theron’s castle in Snow White And The Huntsman. The beach is a mile-long stretch crowned with Gateholm Island, which housed the queen’s imposing, computer-generated fortress in the film. Even without special effects and epic battle scenes, the place affords a breathtaking backdrop for a day out.
Where to stay: Feeling coastal? The Clock House is a B&B not far from Marloes Sands that offers rooms with a beach house vibe.
Info: www.clockhousemarloes.co.uk
The Libertine (2004) – Tretower Court near Crickhowell
Johnny Depp starred in The Libertine as the Second Earl Of Rochester, a dissolute poet in the court of an equally hedonistic King Charles II. The crew descended upon quaint Crickhowell and nearby Tretower Court for the occasion. The medieval fortified mansion nestled at the foot of the Black Mountains housed an apothecary’s shop and a bedroom, as well as the market scenes in its courtyard.
Where to stay: The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell welcomed a number of crew members in its rooms which feature oak beams and four-poster beds. The former coaching inn has a pub downstairs which is a great spot for winding down after a hike in Brecon Beacons.
Info: www.bearhotel.co.uk
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) – Merthyr Mawr sand dunes
Wales has been on Hollywood’s radar for decades as a filming location. In the early sixties Merthyr Mawr was transformed into the Arabian desert for Lawrence Of Arabia. Europe’s second biggest sand dune sits behind the popular seaside destination of Ogmore-By-Sea and latches onto the southern stretch of the Wales Coastal Path, so there is something for beach bums and eager hikers alike.
Where to stay: You can get the holiday trifecta at Old Star Cottage, offering self-catering accommodation in a thatched cottage with access to castles, beaches and hiking trails.
Info: starholidaycottage.co.uk
Info: www.goldenfleeceinn.com / www.awelfryn.co.uk
Journey’s End (2018) – Tredegar House
World War I drama Journey’s End features several Welsh locations. Most notably, Tredegar House in Newport turned was transformed an army garrison in France, with the stable hall standing in for the office of a high-ranking official. Other buildings in the film include Neath Abbey and Old Beaupre Castle in Cowbridge.
Where to stay: After your historical tour of Old Beaupre Castle with its carved Renaissance porch and National Trust’s Tredgar House, a remarkable example of late 17th-century British architecture, you can get your Georgian lodging fix at Crescent Guest House in Newport.
Info: www.crescentguesthouse.com
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – Caerwent village
Wales has seen plenty of other big Hollywood names in recent years. For Captain America: The First Avenger, Samuel Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones came to the training area of Caerwent village. Marvel Comics fans can retrace the steps of their favourite superheroes by visiting the petite village and its Roman ruins, found in the rolling hills of Monmouthshire.
Where to stay: Two Rivers Lodge is about five miles away from Caerwent and an equal distance from Tintern Abbey, where you can revel in the roofless ruins of an immense Cistercian church. If you fancy a steep but rewarding ascent, you get to admire the abbey from above at Devil’s Pulpit. It’s totally Wordsworth it.
Info: www.marstonsinns.co.uk/inns/two-rivers-chepstow
The World Is Not Enough (1999) – Snowdonia
No wonder Lonely Planet listed north Wales in its Best In Travel 2017 destinations. Pierce Brosnan arrived in Snowdonia to film scenes as 007 in The World Is Not Enough, with the globetrotting film crew selecting Cwm Dyli in Gwynedd. The site is home to an early 20th-century hydroelectric power station with a pipeline that appears in one of the scenes.
Where to stay: There are several popular walks in the area, including Pyg Track. For mountaineering adventures you can lodge at Pen-Y-Gwryd, where Hillary and Tenzing were reportedly based while training for the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.
Info: www.pyg.co.uk
Die Another Day (2002) – Penbryn Beach
Ceredigion once more makes an appearance on the big screen, with its delightful Penbryn Beach standing in for North Korea in yet another Brosnan-Bond flick. The sandy strip in Cardigan Bay leans up against a lush meadow and offers a privileged spot for watching seals, barn owls and bottlenose dolphins (if you’re lucky).
Where to stay: If you’re in a stargazing mood, Penbryn Beach is also excellent for leaning back and contemplating the night sky. After that, you can rock up to Fforest Coast campground, where you can stay in cabins, geodesic domes, a Georgian townhouse or your very own tent.
Info: www.coldatnight.co.uk/manorafon
Only Two Can Play (1962) – Swansea
This 1962 comedy set in the fictional town of Aberdancy was largely filmed around Swansea. Peter Sellers and his amateurish attempts at both an affair and drama critiques unfold in a number of locations in the area, including the street scenes in Mayhill, the exterior of Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and the De La Beche Park tennis courts in Sketty.
Where to stay: For an extra-dietary affair, stop over at Bronwen’s House for vintage afternoon tea. Then head down to Rhossilli Bay, where Scamper Holidays offer pastel-coated shepherd huts with a retro beach holiday feel.
Submarine (2010) – Swansea
This coming-of-age tale tells the story of an endearing adolescent fighting to save both his parents’ marriage and his own budding love life. Based on the namesake novel by Welsh author Joe Dunthorne, the motion picture was largely filmed in Swansea, where Dunthorne is from. Other filming locations include Penarth, Barry and Pontsticill Reservoir in Brecon Beacons.
Where to stay: If you fancy feeling like you’re on a film set yourself, The Mirador Boutique Town House in Swansea offers unique, geographically themed accommodation. Rome, Venice, Egypt and the Far East are among the destinations you can choose to “travel” to.
Tiger Bay (1959)– Cardiff
Tiger Bay has been the object of several film, TV and stage productions. This one in particular is the crime thriller released in 1959, at the dawn of British New Wave cinema. Steeped in street culture, it centers around a young girl who witnesses a murder and then bonds with the culprit. Cardiff, Newport, and Tal-y-bont in Ceredigion all feature in the film. Though Tiger Bay is no more, modern-day Cardiff Bay offers plenty of attractions all summer long.
Where to stay: After a day out on the bay, you can head upstream to The River House, a family-run boutique hostel on offering both shared and private rooms with easy access to all the city sights.
Twin Town (1997) – Swansea
Swansea was once again on the big screen for this cult film. The dark comedy drama was filmed between Port Talbot and the “ugly, lovely town,” to borrow a phrase from Dylan Thomas. You can go on a hilly drive around Swansea retracing the steps of the Lewis twins and visit St Catharine’s Church in Baglan (incidentally, Rob Brydon’s birthplace).
Where to stay: The twins can be seen sailing off into the distance in the closing scene, supposedly fleeing to Morocco. If you want to stay close to the coast, make for the Mumbles. Patricks With Rooms overlooking Swansea Bay is an ideal one stop shop for eating, sleeping and peering into vast blue horizons.
Under Milk Wood (1972/2015) – Pembrokeshire
The 1954 radio drama by Dylan Thomas and set in the fictional Welsh locality Llareggub (reading direction is key!) was adapted to the big screen twice, in 1972 and 2015. The 20th-century version was filmed entirely in the coastal town of Fishguard, while the more recent rendering opted for Solva.
Where to stay: To get that Welsh west-coast experience, you can opt for a stopover at Cartref Hotel. Located right at the heart of small town hustle and bustle of Fishguard, it serves as both a base for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a pushoff point for travelling to Ireland.