From the Hollywood hills to Snowdonia

Lights, Camera, Beddgelert! 🎬

Did you know that our little corner of Snowdonia once stood in for rural China in a major Hollywood film?

Right here in Beddgelert — quite literally on the side of our shop! — you'll find a plaque marking the filming location of The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958), starring Ingrid Bergman. Yes, that Ingrid Bergman! This Oscar-nominated film tells the story of Gladys Aylward, a British missionary who led over 100 orphaned children to safety during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

But instead of filming in Asia, the production team chose the rugged beauty of North Wales. The hills and valleys around Beddgelert and Capel Curig were transformed into the Chinese countryside — a testament to the dramatic, cinematic scenery we’re lucky enough to call home.

The plaque outside our shop is part of the North Wales Film and Television Trail, a celebration of the many productions that have made use of Snowdonia’s incredible landscapes over the years. From The Inn of the Sixth Happiness to fantasy blockbusters like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, the mountains around us have become a quiet star of screen history.

So next time you visit Beddgelert, pause for a photo with the plaque, pop into our shop, and take home a piece of real cinematic history (wooden coaster optional, but recommended 😉).

🎥 From Hollywood Stars to Snowdonia Hills: Beddgelert on the Big Screen

Did you know our very own village has doubled for rural China in a major Hollywood film? Just outside our shop, you’ll see a green plaque marking the very spot where The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) was filmed, starring Ingrid Bergman as Gladys Aylward. Instead of shooting in Asia, director Mark Robson chose the dramatic valleys of Beddgelert and Nantmor — even building a mock Chinese town nearby — to recreate the setting authentically. Burt Kwouk (yes, Mr. Pink Panther himself!) unveiled the plaque in 2004, celebrating the start of what became the North Wales Film & Television Trail — a guided journey through 13 iconic plaques across the region, with more to come.

Explore the full trail, including maps and locations, here: Movie Map North Wales – North Wales Film & Television Trail

🌟 From Tomb Raider to House of Dragons: Modern Blockbusters Call

Fast-forward to the 21st century, and Snowdonia is still attracting big names. You may recognise iconic landscapes in recent productions like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), which used the stunning Llyn Gwynant and nearby slate quarries — just minutes from Beddgelert — as the backdrop for Angelina Jolie’s action-packed scenes.

And if fantasy is your thing, you might bump into a dragon—or at least its filming crew—as House of the Dragon used nearby locations such as Ogwen Valley, Dinorwig Quarry, and Penmachno Roman Bridge as stand-ins for Westeros landmarks like Dragonstone and Harrenhal. Spy photos even showed cast members including Matt Smith, Graham McTavish, Milly Alcock, and Emily Carey filming in full costume.

So, next time you’re wandering our streets, keep your eyes peeled—you might just spot a Hollywood star, crew members scouting angles, or dragon props hidden in plain sight!

📸 Stop for a Photo & Shop with Star Power

• Snap your photo with the historic plaque outside our shop (the marker of real on-screen magic!)
• Explore the North Wales Film & Television Trail to discover more cinematic treasures across the region.
• Pop in and choose from our hand-crafted wooden souvenirs—perfect reminders of Beddgelert.

Whether you’re a history buff, film fan, or explorer of landscapes, Beddgelert in Snowdonia gives you a front-row seat to Hollywood. We’re proud to have a small piece of cinema history right here on our doorstep—and on our walls!