Hollywood Comes to Wales

2010 is gearing up to be a blockbuster at the cinema with a number of eagerly awaited films set to hit a screen near you. There is one surprising link however, to many of these films, which most people will not realize. At least three of this year's biggest Hollywood blockbusters have been filmed in Wales.

For those of you who have been to Wales this may not be so surprising, the country after all is a beautiful and diverse place, which features everything from stunning coastline to snow capped mountains and everything in between.

Its not only tourist who have discovered what Wales has to offer, Hollywood has also come calling to use its beautiful scenery as back drop to some its biggest films.

One of the biggest this year, if not of all time, is the hugely anticipated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The film released 19th November is the first part of the final Harry Potter outing. One of the most poignant and important scenes in the whole film was shot on location along the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coastline. The Harry Potter crew built a stunning set for Shell Cottage right on the beach. The cottages and its beautiful Welsh scenery are already being seen right across the world as it features prominently in one of the first film trailers.

Another Hollywood film to be shot along the Pembrokeshire coastline is the new Robin Hood film by Ridley Scott and staring Russell Crow as the English hero. The film sees the Oscar winning partnership of Scott and Crow reunited for the first time since Gladiator. The film also staring Cate Blanchett is due to hit cinemas worldwide on the 14th May. Scenes shot in Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire show Robin Hood (Russell Crow) involved in an epic battle featuring hundreds of extras and 130 horses. The film looks set to become the greatest Robin Hood film yet.

The third of this year's blockbuster to be filmed in Wales is the remake of Clash of the Titans starring Liam Neeson and Sam Worthington. The epic tale of Greek Gods and monsters is out in a cinema near you on 26th March. The lavish film shot a number of key scenes in Wales including a battle scene at the Dinorwic quarry and forest scenes shot in Newborough on Anglesey.

If you want to walk in the footsteps of your movies heroes or see where some of your favourite scenes were filmed then start planning your next trip to Wales, who knows you might even stumble across the next Hollywood film on location.

This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Celtic Haven Short Break in Wales providing Wales Holiday Cottages for your next holiday.