Locations for ep 212

[mrs-leary.livejournal.com]

Gosh, what an ep! But taking a deep breath and looking beyond the drama to the locations for a moment... I've got a definite, a probable, and two maybes.

Raglan Castle

We saw a return to Raglan Castle, as foretold by archaeologist_d . (You go, girl!) When Merlin, Arthur and the Expendable Knights enter the abandoned castle to check out the reports of smoke, that courtyard is the other big open area at Raglan Castle, known as the Pitched Stone Court. (As we all know by now, Merlin's confrontation with Nimueh on The Isle of the Blessed was filmed in Fountain Court just nearby.) You see our heroes coming in through the main gateway, and advancing across the yard.

The first photo is looking in through the gateway and across the court. I didn't get a good general shot of this area, but the second photo captures the window you see to their left.





studio sets

As for the hall in which they find and fight the Knights of Medhir, that seems to be the council chambers set redressed yet again. Those columns look very familiar, and the Secrets and Magic special had them suffering a torrent of rubble on a set.

Castell Coch carpark

This is a working theory, but I think this is the ep for which they used the forest just off the Castell Coch carpark. It fits for a variety of reasons I won't bore you with - unless you want the details!

The photo below shows the forest in the general direction that my Insider Info Man said Katie did her filming. And there was a very steep slope just beyond it. That looked very much like where Morgana meets Morgause.

Meanwhile, I think the bit where Arthur and Merlin pause after fleeing the Knights of Medhir, and Arthur binds Merlin's wound, is probably just off a pathway leading from the carpark. I didn't get a useful photo of it, but it seems to fit. My second guess was wrong! Thanks to pakafe we know the boys filmed a scene from The Last Dragonlord here...



Brecon Beacons

I am assuming the bleakish moors the Knights ride over are somewhere in the Brecon Beacons - no doubt near Abergavenny! It will be hard to pinpoint this exactly, but the countryside looks right. For those who want to see more, there are a couple of small related photos in the gallery of the Dolbadarn Film Horses site.

Obviously more research is required! I'm sure I'll be able to organise another trip during the festive season... What else is Christmas for?

Comments

[loreley-se.livejournal.com]

Those bleakish moors are definitely the Brecon Beacons - I've hiked there enough times to recognise the landscape (though I couldn't tell where exactly - hm should probably go through my collection of photos!)

[mrs-leary.livejournal.com]

Hurrah! Thank you for the confirmation, hon. I suspect it will be too hard to pin down the exact location, but if you could keep that in the back of your mind on the Nice To Know List, I'd really appreciate it! ♥

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I was so excited when I saw this episode! I have more pictures of Raglan Castle and that courtyard that I'll try and post when I get home.

[mrs-leary.livejournal.com]

Me, too! I was thinking of you, hon... Well, when I wasn't thinking about the boys. ;-D It will be great to see your photos, but in your own time, of course. Thank you, hon! ♥

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

My goodness, you're amazing, honey. I can't wait to visit Merlin locations when I get back over there. Merlin was just starting Season 1 when I was there last, and I remember being 'not interested at all, thank you very much' at the time. *kicks self*

[mrs-leary.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks, hon! Heh. Glad to know you got on board eventually. For once, I have been with the show from the first time it screened - but I have certainly been in your situation a time or two before! The important thing is that we're all on board now. ♥ I trust you'll have fun doing your own Merlin Locations Tour when you can.