Last week on the Oakeley blog we featured the news that a new King Arthur Hollywood blockbuster was being filmed in Snowdonia. Have you been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the action, or of any of the stars?

Of course, Snowdonia is the perfect location to shoot a film about the legendary Arthur – not only because the dramatic scenery here evokes timeless landscapes and ancient myths, but also because King Arthur himself has actually been associated with Snowdonia for centuries.

This legendary leader was said to live in Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries and was said to lead the battle of Britain against the Saxon invaders.

You’ll find lots of links to King Arthur in Snowdonia; here are our favourites…..

• Llyn Ogwen, Llyn Llydaw, Llyn Padarn and Llyn Dinas – these beautiful lakes in Snowdonia all claim to contain the magical Excalibur sword within their watery depths!

Does Llyn Padarn hold the secret of Excalibur?
Image – “Llyn Padarn from Penllyn on a March day via wiki commons/geograph.co.uk

• Bardsey Island – this remote island at the end of the Llyn Peninsula is said to be the last resting place of Merlin, Arthur’s wizard side-kick. Bardsey is also said to be the real inspiration behind Avalon – the legendary island that appears in Arthurian tales.

Bardsey Island
Image – “Bardsey-island” (Nowster) via Wikimedia Commons

• Snowdon – our beautiful mountain is also the setting of an Arthurian story. Legend has it that Arthur battled with, and eventually defeated the terrifying giant Rhitta. His corpse is said to be at the summit of Snowdon, buried by giant stones and rocks placed there by Arthur’s men.
• Bwlch y Saethau – and Arthur’s final battle was said to be fought on Snowdon too. He was said to be struck by a hail of arrows shot by his enemies in a small valley still today known as Bwlch y Saethau (Valley of Arrows)
• Mynydd Aran – this mountain near Beddgelert was said to be the hiding place of Vortigern, one of Arthur’s enemies.

Yr Aran.
Image by “Yr-aran” Richard Webb via Wikimedia Commons

• Dinas Emrys – and the ruins of an ancient castle near Beddgelert are said to be named after Merlin himself (who’s full name was Merddin Emrys).
• Betws-y-Coed – a stone with the footprint of King Arthur’s faithful horse can be found by Lake Barfog near Betws-y-Coed.
• Y Lliwedd – this jagged peak near Snowdon is said to contain a secret cave where all of Arthur’s knights sealed themselves after he died. Legend has it they’re still there, fully dressed in their suits of armour, patiently waiting the day when Arthur rises and they are needed again……

Y Lliwedd
Image – “Y Lliwedd next to Snowdon” by Original uploader via Wikimedia Commons

Snowdonia is packed full of mysterious caves, mist-shrouded hills and deep lakes that inspired Arthurian legends, tales, myths and stories. It’s a land of heroes, dragons, giants and wizards… and we think that King Arthur is the best hero of all! See if you can find a piece of King Arthur in Snowdonia.