merlinlocations | Fforest Fawr | episodes 407 and 408 (Reply)

Fforest Fawr is a lovely woodland just north of Cardiff, near Junction 32 of the M4, stretching to the east of the village Tongwynlais. We are already familiar with parts of it, as Merlin has used Castell Coch and a couple of wooded areas just off the Castell car park.

Merlin has also filmed at Three Bears Caves, which is easily accessible from the Fforest Fawr Car Park further up the Heol-y-Fforest Road. Just before you get to the Caves, there is an archway leading off to the right, marking the entrance to the Lost or Found Trail - a walking track featuring various sculptures and a lookout across the Taff River Valley.

A while ago I received a comment on the web site from miss_corerupted, who suggested I check out the log circle on the Lost or Found Trail, as filming took place there. So Mr L and I headed off to have a wander one muddy day in September. We took various photos of the general area, cos it's so delightful… so when Ros recently commented that the 'generic forest scenes' in episodes 407 and 408 were filmed in the Fforest Fawr, and specifically just within the Trail entrance, I was able to put two and two together to make five. Hurrah!

My conclusion is that I suspect all the forest scenes in these two episodes were filmed in the Fforest Fawr. And that means maybe next week's ep will prove the same, as it was filmed in the same block of three episodes. I will add that I'm not entirely sure about the earlier forest scenes in ep 408, but it's certainly possible. The Fforest Fawr has a fair variety of woodland for such a smallish area.

An image heavy picspam follows… Screencaps are by enchantedfleur, and used with thanks. ♥ These images of course belong to BBC/Shine, and are used with respect but without permission. Photos are by me and Mr L. All the images are clickable to view a larger version in a new window.

The Lost or Found Trail

Here's the entrance to the Lost or Found Trail.

Just inside the entrance, a broad track leads away through the trees; it opens out a bit, and it's fairly light, as there is a golf course not far away, both ahead and to the right. Ros specifically suggested filming took place here near the entrance, and I think they could well have used it a few times from different angles. However, the image that springs out at me as being most likely is towards the latter parts of ep 408, when Arthur and Agravaine meet and talk while on horseback. I don't have anything specific to match up, as of course at that time I didn't know what I was looking for. However, it feels right.

This next photo was taken not far inside the entrance, looking to the left of the trail. I suspect they did more work to the right, however, as the ground was clearer. (I mostly took this one cos the light was so pretty through the leaves.)

The trail curves around to the left. We were looking out for a log circle to our right, as per advice from miss_corerupted. Just before we found it I saw this rather picturesque little area. I took a photo of it for its own sake, and imagined that perhaps it could be used for a campsite or a way of quickly hiding from bandits, as our heroes shelter within the curve of the little bank…

But, no! Something far more epic was in store for my cute little dell… Having rewatched the ep after receiving Ros's comment, I realised that I did recognise that mossy tree root after all, and indeed it wasn't in Puzzlewood! This was the 'cliff' on which our heroes pause to gaze upon the ruined old castle to which Lamia is leading them!

LOL! It can't be more than three foot tall at its highest point; the camera must have been right on the ground, with the Special Heroic Lens installed. Again, of course, I don't have proper photos from the right angle to line up and overlay, but I think you should be able to make out the big mossy root at the left of the bank, and the lighter root or branch twisting down just above it. Further along, two slim lighter roots with interesting curves flow down. And I promise to go back and lie on the forest floor and get proper pics just as soon as I can!

OK, so then just a bit further on, we found the log circle down this little path off to the right.

Apparently they used this during the first block of filming, but I have to admit I haven't managed to pin it down. I was looking for a campsite that felt fairly enclosed by trees and foliage - though that sort of thing can change quite dramatically with the seasons. Also, the logs are fairly large, smooth, and regular. They are also fixed in place with pegs, though that could have been disguised. While we had quite a few camping scenes, none have seemed to quite fit. Any thoughts would be welcome!

The Touristy Bit

Not far down the Trail from the log circle is the wooden dragon… You should be warned that he's not really asleep!

There is also a great view, along with further wooden sculptures.

Um, well. Morgana is obviously brewing up something evil here…

Three Bears Caves

On the way back to the car park we revisited Three Bears Caves. Which was lovely, of course.

I had a vague idea that perhaps a scene in ep 407 was filmed here - the one where Morgana pauses to look out towards the island castle where she'll later find Alator of the Cathar. We look across to see her on a cliff, with trees around. My theory was that this was filmed across the chasm in which you find the cave mouths. I had a quick look, and it didn't seem quite right.

But then thanks to pakafe and her adventures at Trefil, it twigged. They've reversed the shot in Merlin, so that the location is somewhat disguised… Tricksy, eh?

So here's a shot of Three Bears Caves, the right way round.

And here it is again, reversed. All it might take to convince you is the curvy white slim tree trunk on Morgana's left. I mean, right. Oh… you know what I mean!

Woot!

And I think that's all for now, though I may well have more to add after next Saturday!

Let me offer my thanks again to miss_corerupted and Ros, without whom I'd still be lost (not found) indeed. And of course to pakafe, who is a wise and vigilant Locations Detective.