4 minute read
Set-Jetting in Wales
Known for its incredible rural landscapes, Wales is home to three National Parks, towering mountains and a showstopping coastline. It’s unsurprising that Hollywood blockbusters and treasured TV series alike have chosen so many Welsh locations to spotlight. Get ready to make all your movie dreams come true...
Find The Doctor in Cardiff
Sci-fi series Doctor Who has been going since the 1960s and is filmed all over Wales. However, its studios were based at Roath Lock in Cardiff Bay. National Museum Cardiff is a regular star and the gallery may be home to works by Monet and Rodin, but series fans will also remember the museum’s staircase, as it features in a pivotal scene with The Doctor’s arch-nemesis Dalek. Cardiff Castle is also a must-visit, as it was transformed as the Victorian backdrop to a Christmas special of the series ('The Snowmen') when The Doctor was played by actor Matt Smith. Follow the Tardis to Westgate and Queen Streets in the city centre and take a special tour of the city to tick off even more iconic spots.
Step into dark fantasies in the Wye Valley
This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is home to dramatic limestone gorges, native woodland and a plethora of wildlife, including otters, deer and kingfishers. Netflix hit Sex Education is filmed in the idyllic valley, as well as dark fantasies such as Merlin and His Dark Materials. There’s really nowhere like it in the world, and Dream Escape’s private guided wildlife walks will make it unforgettable.
Let Pembrokeshire cast a spell on you
This scenic corner of Wales is home to the truly enchanting Pembrokeshire National Park. The amazing shell cottage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2 was specially built on the sand dunes at Freshwater West beach and is the spot where Dobby the house elf tragically dies.
Dream Escape has exceptional itineraries to help you immerse yourself in this part of the Welsh countryside, with outdoor activities like wild swimming, coasteering and sea kayaking.
Close by is Marloes Sands Beach, where Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth charge on their horses in the memorable battle scene in Snow White and the Huntsman. In the film you’ll also spot a huge, dramatic castle added to the beach with special effects.
Go in search of mythical heroes in Anglesey and Snowdonia
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) has 15 of Wales’ highest mountains and attracts adventurists from across the globe. It’s also where Alexander Skarsgård swung onto our screens in Tarzan. You can explore the public footpaths to the former Dinorwig slate quarry where the production team set up camp, and follow in the King of the Jungle’s footsteps.
Greek mythology movie Clash of the Titans was also filmed in the area.
Anglesey’s Newborough Forest and quarry was transformed in the film’s amazing volcano scenes.
And if you want to take the adventure offscreen, Dream Escape can arrange everything from adrenaline-fuelled ziplining to e-foiling – one of the fastest-growing watersports right now.
Wonder Woman 1984 was filmed where Snowdonia meets the sea in Conwy. The opening scenes were filmed at Betws-yCoed's tremendous Swallow Falls and, as Gal Gadot narrates the opening scenes, footage of the falls features in a montage of the young Wonder Woman running through her fictional homeland.
WORDS | AMY BONIFAS
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