Travel King Arthur’s Britain

As King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword hits cinemas this week, we explore some of the spectacular locations where the blockbuster was filmed

ISLE OF SKYE

If you love magical landscapes, head to S Skye – the largest of the Inner Hebridess islands on Scotland’s west coast. Think miles of seriously dramatic coastline a and other-worldly mountain ranges, including the jutting pinnacles s surrounding the Quiraing, a 543m-high landslip formed at the end of the ice age. In the film, this area represents the Darklands, where Arthur goes to become a man. In reality, it’s a dream destination for climbers, walkers and w wildlife lovers – visit isleofskye.com forr routes and hotspots. When you’re all tuckered out from exploring, check out the picture-perfect village of Portree, the island’s capital, or head to Sconser to try their world-famous scallops (sconserscallops.co.uk).

WYE VALLEY

This beautiful valley on the Welsh border – an hour’s drive from Cardiff and three hours from London – contains more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Britain. One of the movie’s council scenes was shot at the real-life King Arthur’s Cave (below) – a genuine prehistoric cave, with an entrance big enough for a man on horseback to ride through!

WINDSOR GREAT PARK

Thi This 2020-hectareh royal l park kd dates back bk to the 13th century and used to be the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle. It’s now mostly open to the public and is a perfect spot to walk, run, horse ride and picnic, thanks to its sweeping, well-groomed lawns and leafy woods. The movie’s fight scenes were filmed in the park’s South Forest. Get there by train from London, from $19 return (thetrainline.com).

SNOWDONIA

In Arthurian legend, this area is pretty significant – Arthur reputedly killed a giant on Mount Snowdon, while nearby Llyn Llydaw lake is rumoured to be the final resting place of Arthur’s famous sword, Excalibur.

Legend aside, with its breathtakingly rugged landscape, it’s hardly surprising this 2000km-square area in North Wales was chosen as a key location for filming. Craggy Tryfan mountain with its huge fin-shaped rocky peak played a starring role, and many of the cast and crew were spotted around the lakeside valley of Nant Gwynant and village of Capel Curig – hugely popular centres for outdoor pursuits such as climbing, walking and mountain biking.

It’s around four hours drive from Cardiff, and the perfect base is Llyn Gwynant campsite (gwynant.com/ campsite) from $17 per person, per night.