Huge floating 'harbour' built on Gwynedd lake for Netflix fantasy The Witcher
One of the largest natural lakes in Wales is being transformed into a fantasy landscape for a major Netflix show. A mock castle tower and a raft ferry are being constructed alongside a huge floating “harbour” at Llyn Padarn, a two-mile-long lake beneath Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
Scenes for the fourth series of The Witcher, a hit fantasy drama series, are being filmed in and around Llanberis, Gwynedd. Filming got underway today (Tuesday, September 17) at Castell Dolbardarn, a ruined 13th-century castle at the head of the lake, and crews are expected to stay in the area for up to two weeks.
Boat-mounted filming pods and camera pontoons have been spotted on the lake, leaving locals and visitors to remark how there are “cameras everywhere” as set preparations pick up pace. Most eye-catching of all is a pontoon “harbour” built near Craig yr Undeb (Union Rock) at the lake’s northern end. It’s thought this may be used by camera rigs for on-lake scenes.
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A footpath closure order for a paved bridlepath, around this area, officially starts on September 19 and could be in place for up to a month. But security guards are in place already and with National Grid underground cabling work also being undertaken along the A4086, it’s left locals short of walking and cycling routes to and from Llanberis.
All parts of the Glynrhonwy site in Llanberis, which lies next to two disused slate quarries, have been closed off. It is understood these are being used for crew parking and catering.
Also out of bounds are sections of two car parks at y Glyn, a lakeside wooded area commonly known as The Lagoons. Large numbers conifer tress and fake boulders have been trucked into the village for set construction.
Dolbadarn Castle car park is closed too and filming there is expected to finish on Friday evening or Saturday morning. From Thursday, September 19, there will also be periodic lake access restrictions near the National Slate Museum. Youth groups will be allowed to use the lake for watersports but from different locations during filming. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
It’s left some people wondering if Llanberis will see any financial benefits despite suffering so much disruption. According to Dinorwig resident John Horrigan, who has been liaising with producers, Cyngor Gwynedd has been paid for Parc Padarn closures and heritage body Cadw for event licencing.
He added: “There are 60-plus staff here daily who are staying within 10 miles and who are using local establishments for food and drink. Money paid to Parc Padarn stays within the parks department, while Gwynedd Council’s money helps keep everyone’s council tax down.
"After the event visitors will be visiting film locations, so money is again drip-fed back into the community.” Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday
For the fourth and fifth series of The Witcher, Hollywood star Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games) has taken over the lead role from Henry Cavill (Superman). A new cast addition is Laurence Fishburne, who plays a barber-surgeon with a mysterious past. As yet, no cast members have been officially identified in Llanberis.
On X (Twitter), The Witcher account said: “We’re already planning season 5, which will be the final season and bring this epic show to a fitting conclusion.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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