South Wales film and TV itinerary

Though it has 2,000 years of history to discover, Cardiff Castle is also bang up to date – hosting festivals and events galore, right in the heart of the Welsh capital. Its fairytale towers and spectacular interiors might look familiar: they’ve starred in several TV shows and films. Recognise the castle from Doctor Who (1963–) or Wolf Hall (2015–)?

Set in a stunning Victorian building, Cardiff Central Market spans two floors and brings an abundance of traders to the heart of the city. But it’s the food that brings this market to life. Here you can sample everything from traditional Welsh delicacies to freshly baked bread, delicious coffee and wood-fired pizzas from Ffwrnes Pizza, brimming with locally sourced toppings. In fantasy favourite A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022), the market doubles for Oxford Market – and there’s plenty of foodie magic to discover.  

Ever wondered how sound effects are added to your favourite podcasts? Or what it's like to read the news? Join friendly guides for an exclusive behind-the-scenes award-winning tour of BBC Cymru Wales. Visit the state-of-the-art television and radio studios to discover the secrets of making a BBC programme and follow in the footsteps of some of Wales' famous faces.

Calling all sports lovers: Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live music and more. It hosts everything from WWE and the World Supercross British Grand Prix, to concerts, major events and – of course – international Rugby Union fixtures. In the zombie sequel 28 Weeks Later, the scene in which the survivors gather at ‘Wembley Stadium’ was actually filmed here.

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum. Explore local history at the Evolution of Wales exhibit or discover a humpback whale skeleton and the world's largest leatherback turtle in the natural history galleries. Fans of Doctor Who (1963–) may be most interested in the museum’s staircase though... in the episode ‘Dalek’, the Doctor’s robotic nemesis shocks by flying up the stairs.  

In Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre hosts top-class live music and theatre shows from all over the world.  This landmark building stages musicals, opera, ballet, stand-up comedy and circus performances, as well as free workshops and exhibitions. It’s also starred on the small screen – in numerous episodes of Doctor Who as well as in Gavin and Stacey, where it doubles as an airport.  

Penarth and its art deco pier make an idyllic stop-off along the Wales Coast Path. Sex Education (2019–2023) fans should head to Penarth Pier, where the local angling club became a ticket office for series three. The show was also shot at the town’s Paget Rooms, which acted as Moordale High’s school hall in series one and two. 

When the Cosmeston Lakes Country Park was being developed in the 1970s, constructors made a surprising discovery – the remains of a medieval village. Today, you can explore the fully restored village just like it was in the 1350s. Admire the carefully reconstructed cottages and enjoy the sights and scents of the herb garden. Cosmeston Medieval Village has been a filming location for both Doctor Who  (1963–) and Merlin (2008–2012).

Discover the history, culture and animals of Wales at this interactive museum. It brings the nation’s stories to life through craft workshops, storytelling and exhibits – and is located in a 16th-century stone house, surrounded by wild beech woodland. It’s got a surprising romcom connection too, doubling as Cavendish College in season four of Sex Education (2019–2023).

Castell Coch looks like it’s been plucked from a fairytale. But all isn’t quite as it seems: though the castle is medieval in style, it was actually created in the Victorian era, many centuries later. With its elaborate frescoes and rich furnishings, it was the vision of William Burges, an architect working for the wealthy third Marquess of Bute – though the south Wales site’s origins do date back to the 13th century. Today, you can explore its stately quarters on an audio tour or roam the wild trails of the surrounding Fforest Fawr woodlands.

Let the good times be-gin on a tour of Hensol Castle Distillery, nestled in the cellars of a 17th-century castle. As well as going behind the scenes in the gin-making process and discovering the joys of botanicals, you’ll learn all about the history of your surroundings too. For a sweet end to your tour, book a traditional afternoon tea served in the Hensol Castle Atrium. 

This otherworldly forest steps in as the mysterious planet Brendok in 2024 Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte, plus the 2022 TV reboot of Willow. Find your own fantasy as you follow the Taf Fechan Trail – listen up for tawny owls, great spotted woodpeckers and jays en route. 

Travel back in time in Brecon, a market town in the heart of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and a great base for exploring the National Park. Start your town tour at the showstopping Brecon Cathedral, with its rare Celtic font. Learn more about Brecon’s past at Y Gaer, its recently refurbished town museum and art gallery, or visit the Royal Welsh Museum for over 400 years of military history. If festivals are your thing, there are so many to choose from – from jazz in August to foodie pleasures in October. And with so many independent shops and market stalls to browse, you’ll struggle to leave empty-handed.

The Fforest Fawr Geopark is yours to explore. Base yourself at the Garwnant Visitor Centre at the heart of the park, where a network of walking trails awaits. Why not hire a bike and discover the area by two wheels? Young explorers will love the activities put on by the Forest Rangers as well as the action-packed play areas.  

Wales is truly making its mark on the world of whisky, as you’ll discover on a tour and tasting here. Over an action-packed hour, you’ll learn all about Penderyn’s history and whisky making ethos, as well as immersing yourself in the sights and smells of a working distillery. Naturally, you’ll sample some drams in the tasting bar to round off your visit. Whisky lovers will love the Distillery Masterclasses, which offer the ultimate insight into producing the brand’s award-winning single malt whisky. 

Buckle up for the fastest seated zip line in the world – now that’s what we call a zoom with a view. You’ll whizz over the Rhigos mountain and Llyn Fawr reservoir at speeds of up to 70mph on the Phoenix, so hold on tight. More record-breakers here include the Tower Coaster, the longest of its kind in Europe, and the Tower Climber, the largest high ropes course of its kind in Britain. For mini adrenaline junkies, the Tower Flyer zip line is essential.

There’s no shortage of drama at south Wales’ highest waterfall. Take a riverside walk along the Nant Lech Valley to reach it – then follow the path behind the cascade for the ultimate view (waterproofs recommended). In the final scene of The Dark Knight Rises (2012), the falls make a cameo as the Batcave, but we can’t promise any caped crusaders will make an appearance on your stroll. 

The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), is one of Wales’ top attractions – with three incredible cave systems, a dinosaur exhibit, Shire Horse Centre and much more.

Hewn out of the Brecon Beacons, this glacial cirque is one of the National Park’s special spots. We hope you don’t mind a hike – we promise the views are worth it. The lake has a special place in Welsh folklore, as legend has it that it was home to the ‘Lady and the Lake’. It’s a favourite spot for fantasy filmmakers nowadays: spot it in Stardust (2007) and His Dark Materials (2019–2022).

The Brecon Beacons are paradise for stargazers; after all, this is Wales’ first International Dark Skies Reserve. A stellar spot for astronomy is Usk Reservoir, with plenty of parking. On a clear night, you might even spot a meteor shower. The reservoir was one of the many south Walian filming locations for His Dark Materials (2019–2022). 

300 years of Wales’ industrial history – it’s all here on display at this fascinating museum. In the fitting setting of Swansea’s one-time commercial heart, its docks, you’ll find the National Waterfront Museum. Travel through time as you explore the 15 themed galleries, each with a different story from Wales’ past to tell. Find out how the nation developed into an industrial powerhouse thanks to immersive technology and exhibitions. Look out for its lively events calendar, packed with science workshops, children’s crafts and play days and seasonal trails. 

Leave the city behind and step into a tropical paradise, meeting cute and colourful creatures along the way. Journey through a real rainforest and spot the animals and plants who call it home – some of the critters here even free-roam. Feeling brave? Try out Wales’ only crocodile feeding experience. Or try out the zoo’s fast-paced escape games, Rainforest Run or Poacher’s Lair, to test your puzzle-solving skills. 

Whether you’re into strolling, surfing or even spellcasting, this top-notch beach has plenty to offer. The Gower Peninsula became Britain’s first National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in 1956 – and for good reason. It’s as much a place to relax and unwind with a clifftop walk as it is to get your heartrate pumping out on the waves. Three Cliffs Bay is one of the peninsula’s more rugged beaches, with its sand dunes and salt marshes, and it provides a scene-stealing backdrop to Netflix’s The Witcher (2019–).

Spotless sands, towering cliffs – Rhossili Bay is certainly bringing the drama. It’s no wonder that the filmmakers behind Doctor Who (1963–) and Torchwood (2006–2011) have filmed scenes here. Bring your binoculars to spot nesting seabirds, seals, shipwrecks – and perhaps even the TARDIS. At low tide, you can stroll over to Worms Head, the most westerly point of the Gower Peninsula. Rhossili Bay has also been voted Britain’s top dog-friendly beach by The Times newspaper, so don’t forget your furry friends for a splash in the sea. 

If time allows, leap into action on a cliffside adventure where you’ll get up-close to all the nooks and crannies of the Gower. Enjoy the thrills of cliff jumping, cave hopping and rock traverses on one of Rip N Rock’s coasteering sessions. You might be lucky enough to spot some of south Wales’ marine life: think seals, porpoises and otters. 

If you love the seaside, Tenby has your name on it. With no fewer than three sandy beaches – North Beach, Harbour Beach and South Beach – you’ll be spoilt for choice. At the harbour, hop on a boat to nearby Caldey Island, with its Trappist abbey and yet more beaches, or stay on dry land to see its colourful houses up-close. If history is your thing, the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery beckons – it’s the oldest independent museum in Wales. Doctor Who (1963–) fans – scenes from series 14 episode ‘73 Yards’ were filmed nearby, on Giltar Point. 

Discover a tiny island off Tenby’s Castle Beach – the home of a magnificent Napoleonic fortress, which dates back to the mid-1800s. As well as guided tours of the ramparts and grounds, it hosts film screening nights too, featuring exclusive after-dark access to the island. It is accessible only at low tide, so check the website to see when the journey is possible. In the Sherlock TV series (2010–2017) starring Benedict Cumberbatch, St Catherine’s Island stands in as a maximum-security prison.

Hidden beside a cliff, only accessible by a steep stone staircase, this tiny chapel is the stuff of legend. Dedicated to a 6th century abbot called St Govan, the building dates back to the 13th century. Make sure you count each step as you make your way down – rumour has it that the number of stairs is different on the way back up. If you’re a fan of His Dark Materials (2019–2022), you’ll recognise it as Lyra and Mrs Coulter’s hideout. 

This sandy beach is not only a surfer’s paradise, it was also the location of Bill and Fleur’s dreamy cottage in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010–2011). The last stop on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, spend some time to enjoy this picture-perfect bay. 

Your discovery of Pembrokeshire and its abundant filming locations doesn’t need to end here. With its edge-of-the-world cliffs, golden sand beaches and abundant marine life, the Pembrokeshire Coast is a joy to explore. This long-distance hiking trail covers 186 miles (299km) of pure seaside perfection: whether you walk the whole route (10-15 days) or choose a much shorter section, you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery, charming villages and a warm welcome at pubs and guesthouses along the way. Fun fact: it has over 50 beaches to discover. 

Explore the only castle in Britain to be built over a natural cavern, known as the Wogan. Bring the past alive at the notable birth home of Harri Tudur – who eventually became Henry VII and inaugurated the Tudor line – at a castle fought over by the Royalists and Roundheads during the English Civil War. The castle and its surrounding historic streets make a cameo in romantic drama Me Before You (2016).  

Wales’ only Royal Dockyard has a surprising Star Wars connection: the film series’ Millennium Falcon was the last ‘ship’ to be built here. No, we’re not speaking Klingon – Hans Solo’s epic starship really was made in Wales, back in 1979. There’s a fantastic exhibition telling the top-secret story of the Millennium Falcon’s Welsh roots, with models, photos, videos and testimony from the craftspeople who worked on the prop. Other highlights at the heritage centre include a replica cockpit of a Short Sunderland flying boat, which operated out of RAF Pembroke Dock for 20 years. 

Packed with wildlife, this beach is a nature lover’s paradise. Spot sea birds, seals, porpoises even dolphins out at sea. The beach is serviced by toilets, a cafe and car park. Electric car charging points are available at Martin’s Haven car park. An epic battle scene from Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, took place here. 

In British tradition, any town which features its own cathedral is classed as a city – which makes tiny St Davids the smallest city of all. Visitors of all faiths are welcome here, and the site attracts thousands of Christian pilgrims and worshippers every year. Lose yourself in its magnificent architecture, hand-carved stone statues and glittering stained glass, and delve into its 800-year history on a guided tour.

Designed for nature lovers and inquisitive minds of all ages, this wildlife reserve and visitor centre reveals the hidden world of insects – with a bug zoo, museum, bug-farming exhibition and nature trails. It offers fascinating insights into their role in the ecosystem and environment, while the Grub Kitchen explores their potential as a nutritious and sustainable ingredient. Try the ‘mixed insect’ pakoras with mango chutney – you might be surprised.