Filming in Swansea

Over the years Swansea, Mumbles, and Gower have provided a scenic location for many television and film productions, from Only Two Can Play with Peter Sellers in 1962 to Twin Town in 1997 starring Rhys Ifans, the city is no stranger to the silver screen.

Actors and cameras working on set in the brangwyn hall swansea

You’ll spot the Grand Theatre in 2016’s Their Finest, Bishop Gore School in 2010’s Submarine and 2011’s Hunky Dory and Gloucester Place in Set Fire to the Stars from 2014.

Top TV writer, Swansea-born Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who and Torchwood have been filmed around the city, the Guildhall/Brangwyn being a favourite with Whovian tourists.

If you’ve watched dramas on BBC, ITV, S4C or Netflix over the last few years, you may have spotted the odd Swansea cameo…

Sam Claflin filming Their Finest in Swansea Grand Theatre

Here’s a little round up of the most popular locations, maybe you’ll spot someone famous next time you’re in town?

Jeremy Irons acting in a scene in the Brangwyn Hall Swansea

Brangwyn Hall/Guildhall – SA1 4PE

An impressive building on the outside and in! You many recognise the exterior, made from Portland Stone and copper, or the grand corridor’s ornate ceiling panels. Some lesser-known areas used for filming include the off-limits-to-the-public council chamber and the Art Deco toilets! It’s been used in many dramas, and most recently turned into a snow-covered US police station for the yet to be released film, ‘Havoc’, starring Tom Hardy.

Photo of Rhossilli beach filming location

Rhossili Bay and The Old Rectory – SA3 1PL

A striking location with one of the longest stretches of beach on Gower, as seen in both Doctor Who and Torchwood, Mumford and Son’s video for Lover of the Light starring Idris Elba and quite a few TV adverts. The Old Rectory is owned by the National Trust and let out to holidaymakers when it’s not being used for filming!

interior of the Kardomah Cafe in Swansea

The Kardomah Café – SA1 3DH

Step back in time, where the Formica tables, wood panels and vinyl flooring really give you a sense of yesteryear. Set designers don’t need to change a lot when filming at this beloved location which was a favourite haunt of Dylan Thomas and the rest of the Kardomah Gang.

victorian cars and actors filming a scene in cambrian place swansea

Cambrian Place SA1 1RG and Victoria Avenue – SA1 3UR

These two locations give a taste of what pre-war Swansea looked like. Cambrian Place is a row of Georgian façade town houses and Victoria Terrace is a delightful red brick terrace opposite the Brangwyn.

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Swansea Christmas

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