Famous Film and TV Locations in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Discover Wales' movie locations and real-life TV sets

If you're a fan of all things movie and TV, make sure to add these Pembrokeshire film locations to your bucket list. The panoramic sea views, dramatic coastline, unspoilt golden beaches and incredible rolling landscape here have drawn many a director and producer to this part of the world over the years. Plan your holiday around these film locations in Wales to step into the screen and follow in the footsteps of famous Hollywood A-listers and well-known British actors. 

Pembrokeshire has been captured on the silver screen and the small screen multiple times throughout the last seven decades; the films and TV shows shot in Wales are as varied as they are internationally renowned. The landscape has been graced by actors such as Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, Richard Burton, Kristen Stewart, Keira Knightley and many more.

We've organised this list of film locations in Pembrokeshire by the date each film was released. If you have any further locations to add to the list, any stories/experiences of working on the films listed or any images of filming taking place, we would love to hear from you! Drop us an email: [email protected]

Moby Dick | 1956 | Fishguard

We begin our list in 1954 when Hollywood royalty, Gregory Peck and Orson Welles, descended on Pembrokeshire to film the movie adaptation of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Filming took place in Fishguard and Ceibwr Bay.

An 85-foot-long rubberised great white whale was constructed for the movie and in 2010, Sea Trust volunteers created a replica of the Moby Dick whale with a 25-metre-long sand sculpture at Goodwick Parrog in Fishguard Harbour.

Lower Town, Fishguard

Fury at Smugglers Bay | 1961 | Porthgain and Abereiddy

Fury at Smugglers Bay is a British adventure film that was partly filmed in West Wales. Interestingly, even though the movie revolves around smuggling in Cornwall, the external scenes were actually shot at Porthgain and Abereiddy on the north-westerly Pembrokeshire coastline.

The Lion in Winter | 1968 | Marloes and Pembroke Castle

The historic town of Pembroke and the beautiful beach at Marloes Sands were both used in the 1968 Oscar-winning film, The Lion in Winter, which starred Peter O-Toole, Katherine Hepburn and Anthony Hopkins. The opening scene of the movie was filmed at Pembroke Castle, where the future Richard I (played by Anthony Hopkins) can be seen jousting with another knight.

Under Milk Wood | 1971 | Fishguard

Dylan Thomas’ play of voices, Under Milk Wood, featuring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, has particularly strong ties with Pembrokeshire. This is not just because he wrote the play from his shed in Laugharne, but also because Lower Fishguard’s chocolate-box streets appear to have been lifted off the pages of Dylan's work. In the early 70s, Fishguard became a Wales film location for the second time as it was transformed into the fictional Llareggub village, the name of which translates to ‘bugger all’ when spelt backwards.

In 2015, there was a Welsh drama film remake of Thomas' famous play which was also filmed in Pembrokeshire, though not Fishguard. For the second version, Solva was used as the movie location which starred an array of famous Welsh faces including Charlotte Church and Rhys Ifans. 

Jabberwocky | 1977 | Pembroke Castle

In 1977, the movie Jabberwocky was partly filmed in Wales with scenes at Pembroke Castle. The plot sees poor apprentice Dennis Cooper, played by Michael Palin, determined to prove himself to win his love, Griselda Fishfinger, played by Annette Badland. He eventually finds himself pitted against the monster Jabberwocky which is terrorising the whole community. Dennis finally confronts the terrifying Jabberwock at Bosherston Quarry, south of the county.

Star Wars | 1979 Onwards | Pembroke Dock

A sneaky inclusion to our list of film and TV locations in Wales is Star Wars as technically, no filming took place in Pembrokeshire for this franchise. However, one of the best-known cinematic universes does have a remarkably close connection to Pembrokeshire so we have counted it as a location of interest where Pembrokeshire movie locations are concerned. 

It may sound as unfathomable as finding out your long-lost father is actually an evil cyborg, but believe it or not, one of the world's most famous spaceships, was built in Pembroke Dock. The iconic Millennium Falcon starship piloted by Han Solo, played by Hollywood giant Harrison Ford, began it's lifespan in what was once the Royal Navy Dockyard. Established in 1814, the Dockyard became a hive of activity for building and launching ships with over five Royal Yachts and 263 other Royal Navy vessels constructed here in the 112 years of active service. 

Now, over 40 years after the Falcon was completed, there is a permanent walk-through exhibition at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. The exhibition focuses on the final ‘ship’ to leave the dockyard. Before the construction of the famous film starship, the dockyard had not built or launched any sort of ship, whether it be for sea or space, since 1922.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe | 1988 | Manorbier Castle

Manorbier’s magnificent castle was made famous in the 1990s thanks to the BBC’s adaptation of the classic C.S. Lewis novel, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Wales' Manorbier Castle was used as the TV filming location for the castle, Cair Paravel.

Manorbier Castle

I Capture the Castle | 2003 | Manorbier

I Capture the Castle is a British romantic comedy film based on the Dodie Smith novel. The film follows an eccentric family struggling to survive poverty in a decaying English castle. The story is set in Suffolk, England, but the film’s castle scenes were all shot in Manorbier for its magical setting.

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead | 2003 | Fishguard and the Preseli Hills

The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard appeared in the film I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead starring Clive Owen. This fantastic crime film sees a former mobster investigate the death of his brother, who died under mysterious circumstances.

The Edge of Love | 2008 | Tenby

Hollywood stars Sienna Miller and Keira Knightley were featured in the Dylan Thomas movie, The Edge of Love. The story is based on a reputed love triangle between the famous Welsh poet, his wife Caitlin and his childhood friend Vera. Filming took place in multiple spots across Wales, with Tenby being featured.

Lexden House on Tenby’s St Julian Street which towers over the coast, was chosen to film interiors and the magnificent sea views out to North Beach. Interestingly, this same Georgian house in Tenby was also used as a television location for the 1998 BBC series, Vanity Fair.

Robin Hood | 2010 | Freshwater West Beach

For Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe, a film crew set up on Freshwater West Beach for the epic battle sequence where horsemen with pennants gallop along the edge of the water.

Third Star | 2010 | Barafundle Bay

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch whose character succumbs to a terminal illness, the movie Third Star tells the story of a group of friends in their late twenties who return to Barafundle Bay for a last visit. This touching and captivating film not only captures the charming tale of friendship in the face of tragedy but also nicely captures the beauty of Barafundle.

Round Ireland with a Fridge | 2010 | Manorbier and the Preseli Hills

Round Ireland with a Fridge is a movie based on a book by Tony Hawks that is loosely based on a journey he made when he hitchhiked around Ireland. The movie title has a very literal meaning to its name, where the film sees a refrigerator being taken on a journey and even surfing.

Pembrokeshire was used as a landscape double for Ireland with many of the hitch-hiking scenes being filmed in the rugged Preseli Mountains. Another Pembrokeshire location used for during the filming of this film was Manorbier Beach; it makes an appearance when the characters decide to take their fridge to ride the waves off a beach in County Sligo.

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows | 2010 | Freshwater West Beach

Potterheads will delight because the beautiful Freshwater West Beach became the backdrop for an iconic scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, one of the most well-recognised film series in the UK. The movie is based on the best-selling J.K. Rowling book series.

In Part 1, Harry, Ron and Hermione escape to the beach at Shell Cottage. This quirky cottage was built on the beach but was unfortunately taken down once filming ended. Freshwater West also appears in Part 2 of the movie very briefly as well. A pile of stones standing as an unofficial grave marks the spot where Dobby's grave is in the sand dunes behind the beach.

Dobby's Grave at Freshwater West Beach in Pembrokeshire

Snow White and the Huntsman | 2012 | Marloes Sands

Hollywood elite Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth starred in the epic fantasy ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ with dramatic scenes on filmed in Wales at Marloes Sands. In the movie, Kristen and her armoured entourage gallop towards the digitally superimposed wicked queen’s castle on Gateholm Island.

BBC's Sherlock | 2010-2017 | St Catherine’s Island

Another film location in Pembrokeshire that Tenby lovers might have spotted on television is St Catherine’s Fort. The fort which lies just off Tenby Castle Beach appeared on screens as a maximum-security prison in the popular Sherlock series on BBC featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

Their Finest | 2016 | Porthgain

Their Finest is a British war comedy-drama starring Bill Nighy and Gemma Arterton. Filming took place in several locations across Pembrokeshire including Trecwn Valley, Freshwater West, Porthgain Harbour, Haverfordwest’s Palace Cinema and The Cresselly Arms in Cresswell Quay. There are some fantastic scenes in the film showcasing the harbour of Porthgain.

Me Before You | 2016 | Pembroke

Pembroke’s pretty streets and majestic castle were the movie setting for the romantic movie, Me Before You, which is based on the best-selling book by Jojo Moyes. The film stars famous actors British actors Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin. The town of Pembroke stars as the hometown of the two main characters with many stunning shots across the still millpond and Main Street. Pembroke Castle has a starring role in various parts of the movie and you'll even see Matthew Lewis, most famously known as Harry Potter's Neville Longbottom, jogging along the millpond.

A Discovery of Witches | 2018-2022 | Carew Castle

The fantasy series based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches, is based on a historian descended from witches played by Teresa Palmer and a vampire played by Matthew Goode. One of the episodes was partially filmed in Wales at Carew Castle which stars as the ruins of La Pierre, also known as the home of a vampire.

Save the Cinema | 2022 | Carmarthen

Just across the border from Pembrokeshire lies another Wales film location as Save the Cinema was filmed in Carmarthen. This film depicts the true story of a woman from Carmarthen who saved her local Lyric Theatre from closure in the 1990s. She appealed to Hollywood director Steven Speilberg to convince him to stage a premier of the then-new blockbuster Jurassic Park at the Lyric Theatre. The main character is played by Golden Globe-winner actress Samantha Morton and much of the movie is filmed in Carmarthen.

Doctor Who | 2023 | The Pembrokeshire Coast Path at Lydstep and Penally

Doctor Who’s well-recognised Tardis was spotted on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path for the filming of the fourteenth season of Doctor Who, though we failed to spot it on screen when the television series aired so perhaps the scenes were cut. Nevertheless, the Doctor and his companion were sighted near Proud Giltar between Penally and Lydstep. 

St Catherine's Fort in Tenby

Travelling to film locations across the world has inspired a new term known as "set-jetting" so if this new trend is your kind of travel, you might want to check out our holiday cottages in Pembrokeshire and stay nearby to these brilliant Wales film and TV locations.