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The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has a fascinating film and TV history, having been used as a location for a huge range of productions, from blockbuster international films to popular TV shows, children's programmes to dark fantasies. Whether you are a 'setjetter' or a film buff, a fan of Harry Potter or a Star Wars expert, a visit to the Dean Wye is a must to see our many famous locations. Walk in the footsteps of Merlin and Dr Who, directors J.J. Abrams and Bryan Singer. Immerse yourself in our movie heritage and snap some great photos while you're at it!
Visit the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and you can explore the natural beauty and ancient history that provided the backdrop to everything from Star Wars to Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Merlin, His Dark Materials, Sex Education, Cursed, King Arthur and so much more. The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has a varied and popular history with film makers and inspirational figures, including being the childhood home of J.K. Rowling and the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien. Our culture and heritage is rich and unique and we are very proud of it.
Explore our guide to the films and TV programmes filmed here in these pages and download our film and TV trail to find out about the locations which you can visit such as the magical Puzzlewood and intriguing Clearwell Caves.
Film & TV Trail
Our A4 Film and TV Trail is suitable for the whole family and features many of our location highlights. What fan would miss the opportunity to visit some of the locations seen in their favourite films and tv series? It allows you to recreate some of your favourite scenes from these magical and inspirational films, visit our award-winning attractions and make the most of our food and drink and accommodation providers whilst in the area. J.J. Abrams himself gave praise to the Forest of Dean in his final letter to the cast and crew of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens and we’re sure that you will share his enthusiasm!
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The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has a fascinating film history, being used as a location for a huge range of productions, including blockbuster international films such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Secret Garden, The Huntsman and King Arthur.- The Harry Potter novels are steeped in a resonant connection with the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Hermione recalls a holiday with her parents to the Forest of Dean and she, Harry and Ron are then transported here. You can even spot the Wye Valley near Symonds Yat in the film's trailer as they walk along the banks of the river.
- From writer/director/producer Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law, King Arthur was filmed at several iconic locations including the mystical King Arthur's Cave in the Wye Valley in this retelling of the story of King Arthur.
- Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens used Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean for one of its key locations to represent the planet Tokodana, a lush green forest world where a lightsaber battle takes place deep in the forest. Puzzlewood was described by Kathleen Kennedy, Star Wars Producer and President of LucasFilm, as ‘the most magical forest on the face of the earth!' and by location manager Martin Joy as 'like nowhere else... an otherworldly space'.
- The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has served as a filming location for many popular TV shows, children's programmes and dark fantasies including Merlin, Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, Sex Education, Cursed, Atlantis and many more.
- Produced by the creators of Merlin, Atlantis was inspired by Greek mythology and follows the adventures of Jason and friends as they seek to discover the fate of Jason’s father, encountering plenty of villains and monsters on their way.
- The popular BBC Wales series Doctor Who follows an eccentric Time Lord, travelling through space and time in the TARDIS to battle injustice across the Universe. Many locations across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley can be recognised including Chepstow, Beechenhurst, Monmouth, Skenfrith, Puzzlewood and Clearwell Caves.
- Merlin had the beauty of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley as a backdrop throughout its 5 series, our inspiring wild scenery being used to represent the ancient world of Albion. Deep caves, majestic castles, mysterious woodlands, lakes and paths feature in the series including notably Clearwell Caves and Puzzlewood.
- Explore the filming locations used in Netflix's Sex Education, which was filmed entirely within the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and South Wales. From Otis and Jean’s Symonds Yat house to the bridge at Tintern which Otis and Eric cross to go to school.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.
