Updated: July 15, 2026
House of the Dragon Season 3 is on screens now, and much of what you’re watching was filmed across North Wales in 2025. From Anglesey’s beaches transformed into Driftmark’s war-torn coastline to Dinorwig Quarry’s reconstruction as the cursed fortress of Harrenhal, the region hosted some of the most ambitious filming sequences ever attempted for television.
Here’s where the cameras rolled, and how you can stand in the exact spots you’ve just seen on screen.
The Anglesey Locations
Llanddwyn Beach & Island: The Battle of the Gullet
This is the big one. Llanddwyn Beach takes centre stage in Season 3 as the location for one of the most ambitious sequences ever filmed for television: the Battle of the Gullet. This naval and land battle opened the season premiere, depicting the Triarchy’s invasion of Driftmark, the ancestral seat of House Velaryon. If you’ve watched episode one, you’ve seen this beach.
What was Filmed
Extensive action sequences showing Velaryon soldiers fighting Triarchy pirates on the beach, with soldiers running through the surf onto shore. Filming took place across multiple days in late June 2025, involving hundreds of extras in period armour, ship debris scattered across the sand and dramatic aftermath scenes.
The Scale of Production
In interviews during filming, showrunner Ryan Condal described this as “probably the most complex sequence that’s ever been done for television.” The battle involves combat at sea, on land and in the air with dragons, requiring hundreds of extras, extensive ship debris and multiple days of coordinated action filming.
Why it Matters
The Battle of the Gullet marks a major turning point in the Dance of Dragons civil war. Originally planned for Season 2’s finale, it was held back to open Season 3 instead, giving the team the time and resources the sequence demanded.
Need to Know:
- Location: Southwest Anglesey, accessed via A4080 from Newborough village
- Postcode: LL61 6SG (for correct route to beach car park)
- The beach: Wide, sandy expanse perfect for large-scale battle sequences
- Llanddwyn Island: Tidal island accessible at low tide (check tide times before visiting)
- Parking: Main beach car park. £5 for first 2 hours, then 70p per additional 20 minutes (£15 maximum daily). Payment by contactless card at exit barrier. Free for Blue Badge holders. Toilets and picnic areas available.
- Dog-friendly: Yes, year-round
- What to see: 16th-century chapel ruins, lighthouse, wide coastal views across to Eryri
- Legend: Named after St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers
For more dog-friendly beaches and walks in the area, see our complete guide to dog-friendly days out in North Wales.
Newborough Forest: Atmospheric Woodland Scenes
Located next to Llanddwyn Beach, this 2,000-acre Corsican pine forest is confirmed as a Season 3 filming location. It provides atmospheric woodland scenes that could represent anywhere from the Kingswood to northern territories.
What makes it Cinematic
Dense pine forest with towering trees, dappled light and an enclosed atmosphere creates the perfect setting for intimate character moments or mysterious forest encounters.
Need to Know:
- Parking: Use the same main beach car park as Llanddwyn (daily charge applies)
- Trails: Multiple waymarked routes, easy to moderate
- Wildlife: Home to red squirrels
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible paths near main car park
- Dog-friendly: Yes, with seasonal restrictions
Penmon Point & Beaumaris: Driftmark and Coastal Drama
Penmon Point, with its striking Trwyn Du Lighthouse, once again hosted filming for House Velaryon’s Driftmark, including coastal setups and ship sequences. Nearby Beaumaris Castle also saw filming activity, suggesting a more prominent role in Season 3.
Need to Know:
- Penmon Point: Toll road (around £5 per car), rocky coast, Penmon Priory
- Beaumaris Castle: UNESCO World Heritage Site, entry fee applies
- Best time to visit: Sunrise at Penmon Point for dramatic light
- Dog-friendly: Beach areas yes, castle grounds check ahead
For further information, read Beaumaris Castle: A Visitor’s Guide to the Unfinished Masterpiece.
The Eryri (Snowdonia) Locations
Dinorwig Quarry: Harrenhal, The Cursed Castle
This is massive. While Dinorwig Quarry previously appeared in earlier seasons as elements of Dragonstone, Season 3 saw it transformed into the cursed fortress of Harrenhal. The production constructed extensive sets, including a medieval-style village, a towering wooden hall façade and large battle aftermath scenes.
The scale of Production
Reports indicate over 300 cast and crew members worked on site, alongside horses, armoured extras and large amounts of equipment. Crews hauled an estimated 38,000 litres of water into the quarry to create rain-drenched scenes. Fake rocks were almost indistinguishable from real slate.
Speculation: “Battle by the Lakeshore” Filming
Although HBO has not confirmed plot details, several local reports and on-site observations suggest Dinorwig Quarry may have hosted major battle sequences, potentially including elements of the “Battle by the Lakeshore,” one of the most dramatic early clashes in Fire & Blood.
Why it Works on Screen
The quarry’s terraces, towering cliffs and brooding atmosphere perfectly capture Harrenhal’s reputation as a vast, ominous fortress.
Need to Know:
- Dog-friendly: Yes, on leads
- Location: Near Llanberis, Eryri National Park
- Postcode: LL55 4TY (National Slate Museum nearby)
- Access: Steep walking paths, suitable for confident walkers
- Nearby: National Slate Museum, currently closed for redevelopment but due to re-open in 2027
- Accessibility: Steep, uneven terrain, not wheelchair-friendly
Cwm Idwal: Mountainous Journeys
This dramatic glacial valley, known for its distinctive bowl-shaped landscape and clear lake, is a confirmed Season 3 filming location. The rugged terrain and cliffs around Llyn Idwal provide the ideal backdrop for treacherous mountain journeys.
Why it’s Special
Wales’s first National Nature Reserve, formed by glacial activity over 450 million years ago, with an otherworldly horseshoe-shaped valley.
Need to Know:
- Starting point: Ogwen Cottage Ranger Base (LL57 3LZ)
- Walk duration: 1.5–2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep and rocky paths)
- Parking: Ogwen Centre car park (£6), arrive early
- Dog-friendly: Yes, on leads
Capel Curig & Nant Peris: Mountain Valley Scenes
These quintessential Eryri valley locations provide atmospheric settings for travel sequences through rugged terrain.
Need to Know:
- Capel Curig: Outdoor activity hub with cafés and shops
- Nant Peris: Village at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
- Best views: Explore surrounding footpaths
- Photography: Impressive views year-round, particularly in autumn and winter when mist clings to the peaks
Visiting the Filming Locations Responsibly
- Stick to marked paths, especially around quarries, cliff edges and tidal islands
- Check tide times before heading to Llanddwyn Island (it can be cut off at high tide)
- Respect any filming restrictions if crews return to locations
- Support local businesses (cafés, pubs and shops benefit from responsible tourism)
- Leave no trace (take all rubbish with you and respect the natural environment)
- Follow the Countryside Code and keep dogs on leads where required
Accessibility Summary
The most accessible locations are Newborough Forest (wheelchair-accessible paths near the main car park) and Beaumaris Castle (ground floor accessible).
The mountain locations of Dinorwig Quarry, Cwm Idwal and the Capel Curig viewpoints all involve steep, uneven terrain unsuitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility. The National Slate Museum at Llanberis would normally offer accessible context for the quarry filming without the challenging walk, but it’s closed for redevelopment until 2027.
For those unable to access mountain filming sites, the coastal locations at Llanddwyn and Penmon offer easier access to Westeros landscapes.
Planning Your Westeros Adventure
Season 3 is airing now, with new episodes weekly until the finale on 9th August. Visit while the season runs and you can watch a battle on Sunday night and stand on the beach where it was filmed by Wednesday. These are landscapes that hold their own against anything the show invents for them.
Suggested Itinerary:
- Day 1: Dinorwig Quarry, then Llanberis village (the National Slate Museum reopens in 2027)
- Day 2: Cwm Idwal walk (allow 3-4 hours including travel)
- Day 3: Newborough Forest, beach and Llanddwyn Island (check tide times)
- Day 4: Beaumaris Castle and Penmon Point
Best Times to Visit:
- Spring (April-May): Wildflowers, fewer crowds, reliable weather
- Summer (June-August): Warmest conditions but busiest – arrive early at car parks or visit midweek
- Autumn (September-October): Rich colours across the forests, fewer visitors, clear mountain days
- Winter (November-March): Most atmospheric for recreating Westeros’s darker scenes, though check weather forecasts and site access before travelling
Your Base for Exploring Westeros
From our holiday cottages in the Conwy Valley, you’re centrally positioned for all the Season 3 filming locations:
- Capel Curig (valley sequences): 25 minutes
- Cwm Idwal (mountain scenes): 40 minutes
- Dinorwig Quarry (Harrenhal): 45 minutes
- Llanddwyn Beach (Battle of the Gullet): 50 minutes
All within an hour’s drive, making the Conwy Valley a practical base for your Westeros exploration. The cottages sleep up to 9 guests when both properties are booked together, ideal for groups wanting to tackle multiple filming locations over several days. Both are dog-friendly (maximum 2 per cottage), so your four-legged Westeros fans can join the adventure.
Exploring the wider region? Our guide to the 30+ best things to do in the Conwy Valley covers castles, mountains and coastlines all within 20-40 minutes of our location.
After Your Day Exploring
Remote quarries, windswept beaches and mountain valleys make for brilliant days out, but Wales’s unpredictable weather means you’ll appreciate having an indoor pool and private hot tub waiting back at the cottage. The pool is shared between a maximum of 9 guests and each cottage has its own hot tub, both available year-round.
Read more about why a cottage with an indoor pool makes sense in North Wales.
FAQs
Where was the Battle of the Gullet filmed?
The Battle of the Gullet was filmed at Llanddwyn Beach on Anglesey in late June 2025. The production involved hundreds of extras, ship debris scattered across the sand and multiple days of filming for what showrunner Ryan Condal called “probably the most complex sequence that’s ever been done for television.”
Is Harrenhal a real castle?
No, Harrenhal is not a real castle. It was filmed at Dinorwig Quarry near Llanberis in Eryri (Snowdonia), where the production constructed massive sets including a medieval village and towering wooden hall façade. The quarry’s terraces, cliffs and brooding atmosphere were enhanced with CGI to create the cursed fortress.
Can you visit the House of the Dragon sets?
The sets themselves are temporary and were removed after filming, but the actual locations (beaches, quarries, forests) are open to the public year-round. You can walk the same beaches where the Battle of the Gullet was filmed, explore the quarry that became Harrenhal and hike the valleys used for mountain journey scenes.
When does House of the Dragon Season 3 air?
Season 3 premiered on 21 June 2026 and runs for eight episodes, with new episodes weekly until the finale on 9th August 2026. In the UK you can watch on Sky Atlantic, NOW or HBO Max.
Are the filming locations dog-friendly?
Yes, most locations welcome dogs. Llanddwyn Beach, Newborough Forest and Dinorwig Quarry are all dog-friendly (dogs must be on leads in some areas). Check individual castle policies before visiting, as some historic sites have restrictions.
