North Wales “Willow” filming locations
To start things off, we’re traveling to North Wales on our quest to answer the question “Where was ‘Willow’ filmed?”
According to Screen Rant, the production used Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Snowdonia National Park, Wales as the location for Queen Bavmorda’s castle. The crew didn’t build a complete castle, only a few exterior walls. Expert visual effect artists created the rest at Industrial Lights and Magic.
The filmmakers mainly used the quarry as the location for the epic battle scene at the end of the movie. We may see Queen Bavmorda’s castle again in the new Disney television series, as locals recently spotted the production back at Dinorwic Slate Quarry.
Many other productions have used Dinorwic Slate Quarry for the otherworldly background it provides. Visit North Wales says that the 2010’s “Clash of the Titans” and 2016’s “The Legend of Tarzan” both had scenes shot at the quarry. Apparently, if you visit today, it is now the home of the National Slate Museum and a rock-climbing center. It’s definitely a must-visit spot for any “Willow” superfans!
New Zealand “Willow” filming location
They filmed most of Queen Bavmorda’s Nockmaar Castle scenes at the Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Wales. But if you’re looking to answer the question “Where was ‘Willow’ filmed?”, there is one more place we need to mention.
According to Atlas of Wonders, they filmed the surrounding area of Nockmaar Castle at Tongariro National Park in New Zealand. The volcanoes in the park are perfect for creating the illusion of a fantastical world.
Movie buffs who are big fans of “The Lord of the Rings” will recognize Tongariro National Park, as it was also the filming location for the volcanic Mount Doom seen in the movies. Peter Jackson also returned there while filming “The Hobbit,” using the site as the location of the entrance to the Misty Mountain.
Where did they film the village of Nelwyn?
Another location that fans of the movie “Willow” are sure to remember is the village in the Nelwyn Valley where Willow Ufgood is from. If you have seen the movie, this fantastical village is sure to raise the question “Where was ‘Willow’ filmed?”
According to the International Movie Database, they filmed scenes in Nelwyn Valley at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, England. They transformed the stately manor and surrounding grounds into Willow’s village. You almost wouldn’t guess that there is a gorgeous stately manor on the grounds.
Brocket Hall has been used for quite a few other movies, from 2019’s Elton John biopic “Rocketman,” to the 1995 version of “Pride and Prejudice” starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.
Once the group leaves the village of Nelwyn, they travel through some woods, which (according to Atlas of Wonders) is near Brocket Hall in Epping Forest. This area is now a walking trail known as “The Willow Trail”. They also mention that while filming the scenes at Nelwyn village Warwick Davis met his wife, Samantha Davis, on set.
If you’re into fantasy, then you may also want to see where they filmed “The Witcher” next!
