Tintern & the Wye Valley: A Film Lover’s Guide to Famous Filming Locations
You might recognise Tintern without ever having visited it. Its ancient ruins, wooded hills and winding river have provided the backdrop for stories that have travelled far beyond the Welsh Borders, appearing on screens around the world in everything from fantasy adventures to much-loved television series.
Look a little closer while exploring the Wye Valley and you may find yourself standing where a familiar scene was filmed, crossing a bridge you have seen on screen, or looking across a landscape that has been transformed into somewhere entirely different by the magic of cinema.
From Harry Potter and Star Wars to Sex Education, Tintern and its surrounding countryside have quietly played their part in some memorable productions. For film lovers, it adds an unexpected dimension to a visit, and a chance to explore the real landscapes behind the screen and discover just how cinematic this corner of Wales can be.
The Wye Valley: A Naturally Cinematic Setting
Settings across Tintern, the wider Wye Valley and Forest of Dean have provided the backdrop for countless memorable moments on screen. Famous productions include the likes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, The Secret Garden, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Jack the Giant Slayer, Merlin, Doctor Who and Sex Education all featuring locations across the region.
From the mysterious woodland of Puzzlewood to the caves of Clearwell and the landscapes surrounding the River Wye, the scenery can effortlessly transform into worlds far beyond Wales. It is easy to see why filmmakers keep coming back.
From the Wye Valley to the World of Star Wars
The landscapes around the Wye Valley have featured in major international productions. The region was used during filming for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, bringing a little piece of the galaxy far, far away to South Wales.
In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean was used as the forest landscape of Takodana, the planet where Rey and Finn arrive at Maz Kanata’s castle. Most notably, the woodland appears during the sequence where Rey encounters Kylo Ren and the two engage in a lightsaber battle through the forest.
A Touch of Magic: Harry Potter
The Wye Valley also has connections to the magical world of Harry Potter. Parts of the surrounding Welsh landscape were used during the production of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 also brought the magic of the Wizarding World to the Wye Valley, with filming taking place around Coppett Hill near Goodrich and the River Wye at Symonds Yat. The region features in the film's Forest of Dean scenes, including the snowy woodland where Harry and Hermione spend time, while aerial footage captures Harry, Ron and Hermione walking alongside the River Wye.
Tintern and Sex Education
The Wye Valley has also appeared in more contemporary television. Netflix's Sex Education filmed in and around the area, with locations including Tintern Wireworks Bridge and the wider Tintern landscape.
The show's distinctive visual style makes excellent use of the Welsh countryside, showcasing the region's beautiful scenery alongside its more unusual and characterful locations. For fans of the series, visiting Tintern provides the opportunity to see some of these recognisable places in person.
Make Tintern Your Base
After a day exploring the locations that have appeared on screen, The Royal George offers a welcoming place to return to in the heart of Tintern.
From here, the abbey and surrounding valley are right on your doorstep, making it easy to combine a film-inspired adventure with everything else that makes the Wye Valley so special.
So whether you are visiting because you love cinema, history, architecture or simply beautiful countryside, take a closer look at Tintern. You may recognise more of the landscape than you expect.
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