While many elements of the fantasy realms of Willow were created on soundstages and in pizels, many of the incredible vistas were very much real. Filmed in Wales, a number of locations across the principality were used to bring the world to life, and here we take a look at some of those locations, places that are accessible to the general public to visit and enjoy.
Gerwyn Evans, deputy director of Creative Wales, said of the production: “Creative Wales is proud to have supported Lucasfilm on the production of Willow. As well as showcasing our beautiful Welsh landscape to the world, the series has been a terrific opportunity for local talent to gain experience in a large-scale production setting – providing opportunities for trainees and facilitating crew members in sharpening their creative skillsets and allowing them to share their creativity with the world, and we can’t wait for the world to see it.”
Currently 607 TV and film businesses are registered in Wales, employing over 7,000 people. Brennan advised hopeful creatives that “there’s many, many options in the film industry whatever your skillset is. Whatever you’re interested in there’s probably a place for you in the film industry. Keep knocking on that door, because it is available to you and it’s available to you right here in Wales.”
Looking to the wider creative economy, Creative Wales also offers support through development, skills and music funds. With an annual turnover of more than £2.2 billion, employing more than 56,000 Welsh citizens, growing and supporting the creative economy is a top priority of the Welsh Government.
The locations used across the first season saw all manner of settings chosen to create the world of Willow – here’s where they are and how you can visit.
Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire
The village lies below the prominent Black Mountain (range) and the glacial lake of Llyn y Fan Fach. The lake is the setting of a famous folk tale known as The Lady of the Lake.
A site of power – both religious and industrial.
Along with Llanthony Priory and Tintern Abbey, the ruins of Neath Abbey are the most important and impressive monastic remains in south-east Wales. Founded in 1130 by Norman knight Sir Richard de Granville, by the late 13th century it had become one of Wales’s wealthiest abbeys.
Around 50 monks lived here, alongside an even larger number of lay brothers who worked at the abbey’s estates on tasks which probably included mining coal for domestic use. Much later, the heavy hand of the Industrial Revolution was almost its downfall, the abbey becoming a copper smelting plant with furnaces, workshops and workers’ dwellings, and having an ironworks as its next-door neighbour.Merthyr Mawr
Set on the South Wales coast, Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve, Bridgend is home to the highest dune in Wales, known as the Big Dipper. The dune system is like no other in Wales, partly due to the huge area it covers – it extends to 840 acres (the size of 340 international rugby pitches!)
Taf Fechan Forest (Owl’s Grove)
Taf Fechan Forest is in the Brecon Beacons National Park, just a short drive from Merthyr Tydfil and the South Wales Valleys. Discover this peaceful forest on a short waymarked riverside walking trail. You can start the trail from Owl’s Grove car park or Pont Cwmyfedwen car park.
Penwyllt
Penwyllt (Welsh: “wild headland”) is a hamlet located in the upper Swansea Valley in Powys, Wales, lying within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
A former quarrying village, quicklime and silica brick production centre, its fortunes rose and fell as a result of the Industrial Revolution in South Wales. It is now an important caving centre. It is in the community of Tawe-Uchaf.
Beneath Penwyllt and the surrounding area is the extensive limestone cave system of Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, part of which was the first designated underground national nature reserve in the UK. A corresponding area on the surface is also part of the national nature reserve, on the slopes of Carreg Cadno.Blaen-y-glyn
Around 20 significant waterfalls are found over a two mile stretch of the river, and a half mile of the Nant Bwrefwr, of which only one has an official name, Blaen y Glyn, or Caerfanell Falls, while another, near the upper end of the river, is informally known as Torpantau Falls.
This lesser known, eight mile loop encompasses everything which is great about the Brecon Beacons National park; wonderful waterfalls, sweeping glacial ridge walks, and even a visit to a World War II plane wreckage.
Margam Country Park / Parc Gwledig Margam
Set in 1000 acres of glorious parklands, Margan Country Park offers natural beauty, history, wildlife and a wide range of fun activities to make it one of the best days out in Wales for all the family.
This 19th Century Tudor Gothic Mansion was designed by the architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
Nant Cwm-du
Cwmdu or Llanfihangel Cwmdu is a small village and community situated in the heart of the Black Mountains in Powys, Wales. Its name is derived from the Welsh language “Cwm Du”, which means ‘Black Valley’. It is located on the A479 Talgarth to Tretower road. Nearby towns include Crickhowell and Abergavenny.
Morlais Quarry / Chwarel Morlais
A series of four limestone quarries situated on the west and north slopes of Morlais Hill about 1¾ miles north of Merthyr Tydfil. Each of the quarries has its own atmosphere; the Lower Tier with its grassy base and extensive ledges has a pleasant, sheltered feel, the Middle Tier is very open and popular with groups. It has plenty of routes at all grades and provides good views north to the Brecon Beacons. The Upper Tier has a secluded feel despite being the closest to the road, whilst the East Tier is situated in an industrial moonscape.
Pendine Sands / Traeth Pentywyn
7 miles of golden sand at this popular beach with bathing, dramatic cliffs and rock pools. In the early 1900s the sands were used for car and motor cycle races. The firm flat surface of the beach created a race track that was better than many major roads of the time. In the 1920s the sands became the venue for record breaking speed attempts.
Bridgend / Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr or just Pen-y-bont, meaning “the end of the bridge on the Ogmore”)[2] is a town in Bridgend County Borough in Wales, 20 miles (32 km) west of Cardiff and 20 miles (32 km) east of Swansea. The town is named after the medieval bridge over the River Ogmore. The River Ewenny also flows through the town.
- Zahn, Timothy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 480 Pages - 08/15/2023 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
