Where was Merlin filmed?

In season 1, episode 1 of Merlin, the young warlock Merlin (Colin Morgan) arrives at Camelot after being sent by his mother (Caroline Faber) to start a new life. However, he quickly realizes the city forbids using magic. Upon discovering the Great Dragon, Merlin learns about his destiny and realizes he must use magic to protect Arthur (Bradley James), Uther's son and the future King.

The scenes set in Camelot during Merlin were drama and tension-filled. It was here that Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head) died for his attempts to banish magic, and it was here that Morgana's (Katie McGrath) betrayal began to unravel. Fans of the show will also remember pivotal moments like Arthur and Merlin's first meeting or when Lancelot chooses to side with Arthur instead of Morgana. All these iconic scenes came to life at Château de Pierrefonds.

Château de Pierrefonds, a 19th-century reconstruction built atop an original 12th-century fortress. Tourists can visit the castle and explore its many chambers, gardens, and halls. The grounds provide plenty of photo opportunities and the chance to immerse oneself in Merlin's world.

Château de Pierrefonds is in Oise, France, about an hour away from Paris by car or train. It is open year-round, but visitors can order tickets online for better convenience. A shuttle service from nearby towns like Compiègne also allows visitors to travel without a car.

Speech House Lake appears in Merlin as a mystical setting full of mythical creatures and powerful magic as a lake of Avalon. In Series 1 Episode 7, "The Gates of Avalon," Arthur almost drowns in the lake while being pursued by dangerous magical beings conjured by a mysterious man.

Merlin must come to his rescue, and with the help of visual effects elements, the natural beauty of Speech House Lake is brought to life with tiny flying creatures and Castle Camelot towering in the background. In Episode 9, "Excalibur," Merlin throws Excalibur into the lake of Avalon, met with CGI snowy mountains in the background.

Speech House Lake is in Speech House Woods in Gloucestershire, England. It is a small fishing lake surrounded by lush trees and peaceful nature that provides striking scenery for filming locations. The area has been used for centuries for hunting deer and other wildlife due to its wildlife population.

Speech House Lake is off Ross Road near Coleford in Gloucestershire, England. To get there from London, you can take a train from London Paddington to Gloucester Station, then take a taxi or bus to Speech House Woods. You can also drive from London (approximately 3-hour drive). Once at Speech House Woods, follow Spruce Ride Road until you reach the entrance to Speech House Lake.

In Series 1, "Le Morte d'Arthur," Merlin (Colin Morgan) rides a boat into the ruins and reaches a stone staircase. He climbs and finds himself in a graveyard within the ruins. Nimueh (Michelle Ryan) is standing beside a stone sarcophagus.

Merlin drinks from the Cup of Life to save Arthur (Bradley James). In a later scene, Gaius (Richard Wilson) attempts to save Merlin's life by asking Nimueh for help. Gaius drank from the Cup of Life to escape Merlin's impending death. However, Merlin unexpectedly rose to his feet and summoned a thunderstorm, causing a lightning bolt to strike Nimueh, resulting in her demise. As a result, Gaius gets rescued.

Raglan Castle, along Castle Road in Raglan, UK, provided the setting for the scene. This fifteenth-century castle is well known for its majestic architecture, including towers, ramparts, and courtyards. Visitors can explore all the castle grounds up close, including the ancient moat and gatehouse, which will take your breath away when you see them up close.

There are bus stops that will get you directly to the castle grounds. Car drivers can find plenty of parking spaces within walking distance from the castle's main entrance gate. Once there, visitors can walk through the grounds on foot and enjoy all its majestic beauty in person — just like Merlin did.

The mysterious caves of Clearwell featured prominently throughout the series Merlin, adding a sense of eeriness and fantasy to many episodes. In "The Curse of Cornelius Sigan" (Series 2, episode 2), Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley James) find themselves deep beneath a castle, searching for hidden treasures.

In "The Crystal Cave" episode (Series 3), Merlin travels through treacherous underground tunnels to discover Morgana's (Katie McGrath) secret hideout. In Series 5, Merlin is taken to Morgana's citadel in "Arthur’s Bane," exploring its dark tunnels and winding pathways. Finally, in "The Disir," we see an ominous entrance with red rock formations as Merlin enters the eerie caves searching for ancient wisdom.

The use of Clearwell Caves by BBC's Merlin has become iconic amongst fans, particularly as a symbol for the darker elements. From a hidden entrance to a powerful nemesis' lair, these caves have become synonymous with adventure and dread - making them one of the most memorable locations throughout the series.

Ray Wright started allowing visitors to explore Clearwell Caves in 1968 when they first opened to the public. At Clearwell Caves, you can explore impressive caverns and see displays that reveal their long history from the Stone Age to the present day.

To get to this location, you can take a train from London Paddington Station to Gloucester Station, then hop on a bus or taxi to Clearwell Caves. Alternatively, you can take a car from Central London, which should take around 3 hours via the M4 motorway before reaching your destination.

Arthur (Bradley James) and Guinevere (Angel Coulby) believe Mithian's (Janet Montgomery) story about her escape and want to rescue her father (James Fox) from Odin (Fintan McKeown). They disregard Merlin's reservations and fail to recognize Morgana (Katie McGrath) disguised as Hilda, keeping Mithian from revealing the truth. Merlin found a message from Mithian by the stream. The message uncovers that Morganally Hilda and her evil plan were behind it all (Series 5, episode 4).

Cannop Ponds in West Dean, Lydney GL16 7BL, UK, provided the backdrop for the scene where Merlin finds Mithian’s message about Morgana by the stream. It is an idyllic spot with lots of wildlife and makes for a great picnic area. Plenty of tracks nearby make it an ideal spot for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature.

To get to this location, take a train to Gloucester Station and then take a bus to Pygmy Pinetum Bus Station. From there, you can walk or catch another bus to West Dean Road, which will take you close to Cannop Ponds. Driving directly there is also possible; follow the M4 road from London until you reach your destination.

The final episodes of the Merlin TV series, specifically Series 5, Episodes 12 and 13, titled "The Diamond of the Day, Parts 1 and 2," include scenes that were shot at Puzzlewood and feature Morgana (Katie McGrath) and Mordred (Alexander Vlahos).

"The Diamond of the Day, Part 1," shows Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Gwaine (Eoin Macken) going on a mission to a forest valley where they visit the Crystal Cave to renew Merlin’s powers. In "The Diamond of the Day, Part 2," Arthur (Bradley James) gets injured by Mordred and Gaius (Richard Wilson), and Merlin attends him, where Merlin reveals his magical abilities to Arthur.

Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland located in England's Forest of Dean. It is renowned for its unique landscape, consisting of strange tree and rock formations shrouded in a mysterious fog. Its appearance made it perfect for fantasy films like Star Wars. In fact, despite initially providing a backdrop for limited scenes, it became so famous among viewers that it appeared throughout Series 5, episodes 12 and 13.

Visitors can easily reach Puzzlewood thanks to its convenient location within England’s Forest of Dean. The closest train station is Coleford, which takes around 15 minutes by car or taxi from Lydney Train Station. Visitors from further away may take a direct train from London Paddington Station or Bristol Temple Meads Station all year round.