Lights, Camera, Action – Explore The Vale’s Star-Studded Locations!
Discover the magic of the movies right here in the Vale of Glamorgan! From beloved TV dramas to blockbuster films, the Vale has been the backdrop for countless iconic scenes. Whether you're a fan of gripping thrillers, heartwarming comedies, or epic historical dramas, follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters and explore the stunning filming locations that brought these stories to life.
TV Shows Filmed in The Vale
The Vale of Glamorgan has played host to some of the most popular TV shows. Why not visit the locations that made these stories unforgettable?
- BBC Casualty – Experience the drama at iconic spots featured in this long-running series.
- Gavin & Stacey – Visit Barry Island, home to Nessa's iconic arcade and other memorable scenes.
- Doctor Who & Whoniverse Spin-offs – Travel through time and space with visits to familiar spots seen in this legendary sci-fi series.
- Sex Education – Discover the picturesque settings that served as the backdrop for this fan-favorite Netflix show.
- His Dark Materials – Walk in the footsteps of Lyra and explore this fantasy world brought to life in the Vale.
- Poldark and Wolf Hall – Relive history with these beautifully crafted period dramas.
- Heno/Pobol Y Cwm – A staple of Welsh-language TV, filmed at various local spots
- Wales House of the Year – Reality TV showcasing the beauty of local properties
Movies Made in The Vale
From thrillers to heartfelt dramas, these films have featured the stunning landscapes and charming towns of the Vale:
- The Man in My Basement – A gripping story with scenes filmed in picturesque local settings.
- Six Minutes to Midnight – Visit the hauntingly beautiful locations that set the scene for this historical drama.
- Croydon Cowgirl and Salvable – Dive into the captivating narratives filmed right here in the Vale.
Walk in the Footsteps of the Stars
Explore the exact locations where your favorite scenes were filmed:
- Barry Island – A must-visit for Gavin & Stacey fans, featuring iconic seafront spots.
- Dramtic Coastlines – Seen in Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, and more, offering breathtaking cinematic backdrops.
- Town Centres – Featured in Sex Education, Gavin & Stacey, and BBC dramas, showcasing the charm of the Vale’s streets.
A Snapshot of Filming Locations in the Vale:
Explore a few iconic filming spots across the Vale of Glamorgan, from the beloved Gavin & Stacey locations in Barry to the dramatic coastlines seen in Doctor Who and Poldark. This is just a glimpse—there's plenty more to discover!
POLDARK
While most will associate Poldark with the beautiful coast and countryside of Cornwall, few might be aware that some scenes were also filmed on the glorious Glamorgan Heritage Coast in the Vale of Glamorgan. In Season 3, cast and crew re-located to shoot scenes at Dunraven Bay in the village of Southerndown, and those that know our coastline well will recognise the familiar backdrop of the cliffs. A popular location for filming, there have been many productions that have chosen this spot, including Dr Who and TV series Merlin, and Sherlock.
HIS DARK MATERIALS
Fantasy Drama His Dark Materials is a television series based on the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman. Produced by Bad Wolf and New Line Productions, for BBC One and HBO, the show follows the orphan Lyra as she searches for a missing friend and discovers a kidnapping plot related to an invisible cosmic substance called Dust. We were delighted to welcome the film crew to the Vale. Rhoose Point, the most southerly point on mainland wales, where the Wales Coast Path follows the shoreline, was used for the filming of a scene for Season 3.
GAVIN AND STACEY
Much loved TV sitcom Gavin & Stacey was filmed in and around Barry with much of the filming taking place on iconic Barry Island showcasing the beach and amusement arcades. The show, created by James Corden and Ruth Jones, revolves around the romantic relationship between Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Barry. The use of Barry Island adds to the show's authenticity and charm and visitors from around the world still make the journey to Barry Island to visitor iconic locations made famous by this very much loved, award-winning programme
SEX EDUCATION
Viewers will recognise some familiar scenes in Penarth from the hit Netflix series Sex Education. The Netflix hit comedy-drama Sex Education follows Otis, Eric, Maeve, and their motley crew of friends and family as they navigate through the tricky topic mentioned in the show's title - 'sex education'. Viewers will recognise some locations in Penarth where the Paget Rooms was used for the school hall scenes and Penarth Pier and esplanade features in later episodes.
DOCTOR WHO
The Vale has been the backdrop for much of the filming of Dr Who over the years. Viewers will have seen the Tardis pop up on the coastline at the Knap in Barry, against the stunning backdrop of Dunraven Bay on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and at St.Donats Castle, which has also been home to the filming of Wolf Hall, Keeping Faith and Decline and Fall. Keep watching for more iconic locations from the Vale in the new season.
