Geads News

House of the Dragon (HOTD) are stepping up filming efforts across Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey, and the excitement is palpable. As the stars of the series descend on the various sites, some locals have expressed concern about the impact on their beloved sites.

The latest snapshots capture breathtaking coastal scenes near historic Penmon Priory in Anglesey. Parts of the beach were temporarily closed to the public, giving way to the filming of heavily armed troopers galloping across fields.

Likewise, access to Dinorwig’s quarry in Gwynedd has been restricted as the team prepares for two days of explosive filming, due to begin on Thursday.

One of the most important sites is the Trefor granite quarry on the Llŷn peninsula. Here, the remains of the ancient works have been transformed into a formidable fortress, believed to be Dragonstone Castle, seat of House Targaryen.

Filming has been underway for some time, with glimpses of a ritual rock being used for a wedding and cremation. Emma D’Arcy, who plays Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in HOTD Season 2, recently shared an Instagram Story hinting at their current presence at Trefor.

Film crews were also spotted in various locations in Eryri (Snowdonia), including the scenic Ogwen Valley. In Dolwyddelan, Conwy, the aftermath of a fierce battle scene came to life with fake corpses of men and horses strewn near broken carts. Recently the trails around Llyn Y Gader, near the village of Rhyd-Ddu in Eryri, were temporarily closed.

However, the real spectacle is expected at Dinorwig’s Quarry, which has been transformed into an epic battlefield setting. Photos of the set have surfaced, showing the scale of the production. On Tuesday evening, additional supplies of food, water and equipment were delivered in preparation for the early start of today’s filming.

It is assumed that the Battle of Rook’s Rest, the script’s first major Civil War conflict, will be filmed at this location. This battle features intense clashes between war dragons, promising an awe-inspiring visual experience.

While plenty of photos have emerged from the quarry, not everyone is thrilled with the disruption to this popular destination for walkers and history buffs. A local individual, keen to capture the beauty of the quarry on camera, has expressed disappointment after being “aggressively” stopped by a security guard. The claims prompted Warner Brothers Discovery, the production company behind HOTD, to request to fix the issue.

In a series of tweets, the frustrated walker said: ‘As someone who regularly walks this route in Dinorwic’s career, I’m disappointed in the complete lack of respect for local residents by members of your production team, including some think they are above the law.

“While I was taking pictures I was aggressively accosted by a security guard who told me I was not allowed to take pictures even though I was on a public right of way. you please ensure that your team members familiarize themselves with local laws which do not give them any power to prevent such photographs from accessing public rights of way.”

Problems with road access to Newborough Forest also irritated visitors during the filming of HOTD on Llanddwyn beach. As a beach in Penmon was closed for filming this week, a few dissenting voices questioned whether Anglesey would benefit financially from the disruption. However, the majority of locals welcome HOTD and recognize the potential spinoffs it brings.

A resident of Pentraeth said: “Of course the island brings in money. Where do you think a lot of these people stay, eat, hang out when they’re not on set? And when the show is broadcast, people often visit the location where the filming took place.”

For many it is an “exciting time” to be in North Wales. Recent filming plans in and around Llandudno have already generated excitement, and this week the cameras returned to Llanddwyn, Anglesey. One local said: ‘North Wales is back in the filmmaker’s catalog of awesome places!’

Adding to the excitement, another key HOTD character, Steve Toussaint, who plays Corlys Velaryon, was spotted filming at Beaumaris Pier in Anglesey. Speculation among HOTD enthusiasts suggests he may have moved from Penmon, where a man in Velaryon armor and a wig was photographed traveling in a boat.

Studio HOTD HBO has been approached for comment on Dinorwig’s career complaint. Council for Cyngor Gwynedd declined to comment.

This article was written using artificial intelligence tools, which speed up Express.co.uk’s editorial research. An editor reviewed this content prior to publication. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.com.