Movies and TV series that feature Welsh locations

Wales’ stunning landscape includes three National Parks, epic mountains and a spectacular coastline with sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. A lot of our locations have featured in Hollywood films. Some choices may be a surprise as Wales is sometimes chosen as an alternative for other countries with equally stunning backdrops. We have included a selection of our favourite films with the trailer so that you can decide what you would like to add to your  watch list.

Starring: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond

Set way back in Arthurian Britain, this is the story of the love triangle between Guinevere, Lancelot and King Arthur.

Locations: Llanfair Slate Mine, Harlech, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Trawsfynydd

Itinerary suggestions: North Wales in three days - Exploring Wales in a week - Highlights of The Cambrian Way in North Wales

Starring: Demi Moore

Moore stars in a mysterious film in which her character gets involved in a ghost story.

Locations: Llanddwyn Island and Llanbadrig Church, Anglesey and Porthdinllaen, Llŷn Peninsula.

Itinerary suggestions: Activities along The North Wales Way - North Wales golf itinerary inspiration

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy.

The final film in the Harry Potter series. Seaside scenes in the book relate to a fictional village where Harry, Ron and Hermione take shelter in Shell Cottage – a big cottage made out of shells.

Location: Freshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Itinerary suggestions: Walking routes in South West Wales - Days out in and around Tenby

There are a number of James Bond films with scenes filmed in Wales:-  

• Quantum of Solace (2008) – Llyn Peris, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park
• Die Another Day (2002) – Penbryn Beach (closing scene)
• The World is Not Enough (1999) – Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park
• From Russia With Love (1963) – Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park

Starring: Clive Owen, Stephen Dillane, Keira Knightly, Ioan Gruffydd

Set around 400AD, Arthur has to carry out one last dangerous task before he is set free after many years forced into military service for the Roman Army.

Location: Llandeusant - Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Itinerary suggestions: Explore South and Mid Wales on The Cambrian Way - Explore Wales by foot

Starring: Charlie Hunman, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Jude Law

An alternative version of the tale of King Arthur and Excalibur, the mystical sword.  

Location: Capel Curig, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park

Itinerary suggestion: Days out in and around Llandudno

Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Mark Strong, William Hurt

This adaptation of Robin Hood was directed by Sir Ridley Scott. The filming in Wales was part of the finale and includes a major battle scene with boats and horses.

Location: Freshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Itinerary suggestions: Walking routes in South West Wales - Days out in and around Tenby

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth

In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman who was ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed, winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.  

Location: Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Itinerary suggestions: Walking routes in South West Wales - Days out in and around Tenby

Starring: Mathew Rhys, Cillian Murphy, Kiera Knightley, Sienna Miller.

The story concerns the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, (Rhys) his wife Caitlin McNamara (Miller) and their married friends, the Killicks (Knightley and Murphy).

Locations: Tenby, Lampeter, Laugharne, New Quay, Betws-y-Coed and Gwili Railway

Itinerary suggestions: In the footsteps of Dylan Thomas - Walking routes in South West Wales - Days out in and around Tenby

Starring: Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald

A romantic comedy set during the First World War. A mapmaker upsets a village when he announces that their landmark is too short to be called a ‘mountain’ and is in fact a hill.

Locations: Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin, Mid Wales

Starring: Colin Firth, Julie Walters

An orphaned ten year old girl discovers a fairy-tale garden that holds many mysteries at her strict uncle’s estate. The film is based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Location: Bodnant Garden

Itinerary suggestions: North Wales in three days, Gardens in North and Mid Wales - National Trust sites in Wales, - Out of seasons attractions and places to visit

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Chris Barrie, Gerard Butler, Ciaran Hinds.

Lara Croft fights to save the orb from falling into the hands of an evil scientist.

Locations: Llyn Gwynant and the slate quarries of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

Itinerary suggestions: North Wales in three days - Industrial heritage in North Wales

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig.

This sequel to the 2017 superhero blockbuster fast-forwards to the 1980s where Wonder Woman must face a new set of foes.

Location: Swallow Falls in Betws-y-Coed, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

Itinerary suggestions: Activities in North Wales along The Cambrian Way - Highlights of The Cambrian Way in North Wales - Day trip by coach in North Wales

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa

The Netflix comedy drama about a teenager and his sex therapist mother. 

Key locations: St Fagans National Museum of History, Cwmcarn Forest, Penarth, Monmouth and Tintern.

Itinerary suggestions: Three days in South East Wales - Cardiff in three days - Days out in and around the Wye Valley

Useful link: Where Netflix's series Sex Education is filmed in Wales 

Starring: Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, Ncuti Gatwa

A long running British science fiction series where a Time Lord from Gallifrey, encounters many adversaries whilst travelling through time and space in the TARDIS.

Locations: Throughout South Wales. Iconic locations include Caerphilly Castle, Wales Millennium Centre and Cardiff Bay, St Fagans National Museum of History, National Botanic Garden of Wales, Dunraven Bay and Llandaff

Itinerary suggestions: Three days in South East Wales - Cardiff in three days - Days out in and around Swansea

Useful information: Brit Movie Tours run a guided Doctor Who Cardiff Tour for groups. Fogo's Free Tours also run a Doctor Who Walking Tour

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney

Emmy award winning docuseries following the fortunes of Wrexham Association Football Club and its supporters. The club has been in the spotlight following the two Hollywood stars taking over as co-chairmen.

Location: Wrexham

Itinerary suggestions: Days out in and around Wrexham - Travel around North Wales on public transport 

Starring: Patrick McGoohan

Although only 17 episodes over one series were filmed, the British 1967-1968 is still iconic, including the most famous line "I am not a number, I am a free man". It tells the story of a secret agent who is kidnapped and taken to an idyllic village which is actually his prison.

Location: Portmeirion

Itinerary suggestions: North Wales in three days - Highlights of The Cambrian Way in North Wales - Highlights of The Coastal Way

Starring: Teresa Palmer, Matthew Goode, Alex Kingston

Fantasy drama where witches and vampires collide, as they  discover the mystery behind alchemist book Ashmole 782. Bad Wolf Studios based in Cardiff are responsible for the Sky Original production.

Locations: Aberglasney Gardens, Caerphilly Castle, Tretower Court and Castle, Carew Castle, Cardiff Market

Itinerary suggestions: Explore South and Mid Wales on The Cambrian Way - Gardens in South and West Wales - Travel around Mid Wales on public transport - Days out in and around Tenby

Useful information: See A Discovery of Witches: A location guide on Visit Wales.

Starring: James Corden, Ruth Jones, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Alison Steadman, Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters

The BBC comedy series ran for 22 episodes and is set around the coastal resort of Barry Island. It follows the long distance relationship of Gavin and Stacey, their families and friends.

Location: Barry town, Barry Island, Dinas Powys

Itinerary suggestion: Travel around South East Wales on public transport

Useful information: Brit Movie Tours run a guided Gavin and Stacey Tour with discounts for groups of 10+. Private tours can also be arranged. See also Gavin and Stacey filming locations guide on Visit Wales.

Starring: Dafne Keen, Kit Connor, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy

The BBC produced the fantasy series in Wolf Studios, Cardiff. It follows the story of Lyra who lives in a parallel universe. Whilst searching for a kidnapped friend, she meets Will who together, embark on a quest to uncover the mystery that surrounds the Dust phenomenon.

Key locations: Blaenavon, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, St Govan's Chapel, Dunraven Castle, Dewstow Gardens

Itinerary suggestions: Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, a UNESCO WHS - Day trip by coach in South East Wales

Starring: Toby Jones, Will Mellor, Julie Hesmondhalgh

A true story about over 900 British Post Office workers who faced the greatest miscarriages of justice in Great Britain. Wrongly accused of false accounting, fraud and theft due to a defective IT system, they lose everything, and fight over 20 years to clear their name.

Locations: Llandudno, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Beddgellert, Nant Gwynant

Itinerary suggestions: Days out in and around Llandudno - Highlights of The Cambrian Way - Highlights of the North Wales Way

Starring: Claire Foy, Olivia Coleman, Imelda Staunton, Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, Jonathan Pryce, Dominic West, Vanessa Kirby, Helena Bonham Carter

The Netflix dramatisation, over six seasons, is a portrayal of the British Monarchy from when Queen Elizabeth II was a young princess right up to her death in September 2022. 

Key location: Caernarfon Castle (Prince Charles investiture as Prince of Wales), Aberystwyth

Itinerary suggestions: Wales in three days - Explore Wales in a week - Highlights of The Coastal Way - North Wales in three days

See more productions filmed in Wales with the interactive map.

Read the article in Travel and Leisure magazine about film locations in Wales.

For additional information, contact our mailbox traveltradewales@gov.wales.