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| Where Was The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 Filmed? All Locations Revealed. |
The third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power takes its fantasy world beyond the studio, with filming locations stretching across England, Wales and Switzerland. From the dramatic coastline of Dorset to the mountainous scenery of the Swiss Alps, the production brought together several striking real-world landscapes to recreate the different corners of Middle-earth.
Surrey, Tredegar and Lauterbrunnen also played important roles in the production, offering everything from expansive studio facilities to rugged natural surroundings. Starring Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Robert Aramayo, Markella Kavenagh and Owain Arthur, the Prime Video fantasy series returns for a third season with the War of the Elves and Sauron at its centre. Here's a closer look at the filming destinations and the real places behind the latest chapter.
Inspired by the appendices of J. R. R. Tolkien's legendary novel The Lord of the Rings, the series was developed by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay. Its story takes place thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, exploring the Second Age of Middle-earth and the events that shaped its history.
Season 3 moves the story forward several years after the events of the previous instalment. The conflict between the Elves and Sauron takes centre stage, while the Dark Lord continues working towards creating the One Ring, an object that could give him the power to control Middle-earth. With Rivendell also featuring in the story, the new season promises another visually ambitious adventure, and its filming locations certainly provide plenty of spectacular scenery.
Principal photography reportedly began in May 2025, with the production operating under the working title MKT. Filming continued for more than five months before wrapping in late October 2025. Reports also indicated that as many as four production units were working simultaneously, which gives an idea of the scale involved. Apparently, making Middle-earth look convincing requires considerably more than a few impressive mountains and someone carrying a sword.
Surrey, England
Surrey became one of the major production bases for The Rings of Power Season 3, marking a change from the filming arrangements used for the earlier seasons. The ceremonial county in south-east England provided a combination of professional studio facilities and countryside locations, allowing the production to create both elaborate interior sequences and large-scale outdoor scenes.
One of the most important filming destinations was Shepperton Studios, situated on Shepperton Road in the village of Shepperton. The established production facility features 31 sound stages and two backlots spread across approximately 12 acres. Its extensive facilities make it suitable for productions requiring complicated sets, large crews and plenty of technical preparation. For a fantasy series featuring elaborate costumes, detailed environments and ambitious visual sequences, having that much production space is certainly useful.
Shepperton itself is a village in the Borough of Spelthorne, close to the River Thames. Away from the enormous production facilities, the area has a more relaxed suburban character, with riverside scenery and traditional English surroundings. It is quite a contrast to the fictional kingdoms of Middle-earth, although the film industry has clearly found a way to make the two worlds work together.
Another important filming destination was Tilsey Farm Cottage, located along Thorncombe Street in Surrey. The private estate and its surrounding grounds were reportedly used for sequences involving the battle between Elves and Orcs. The production brought together a substantial group of performers, including 16 stunt performers and 10 extras portraying Orcs, alongside eight stunt performers and 42 extras playing Wild Men. Around a dozen horses were also involved in the battle scenes.
With that many performers, horses and stunt sequences taking place, the filming operation was hardly a quiet afternoon in the countryside. The location offered the production an outdoor setting suitable for the large-scale conflict, while the surrounding rural landscape helped establish the atmosphere required for the battle.
Surrey also has other interesting places worth exploring, including Painshill Park, a historic landscaped garden in Cobham. Its picturesque lakes, woodland paths, bridges and architectural features make it an appealing destination for visitors interested in English landscape design. Although it serves as a separate sightseeing recommendation rather than one of the identified production sites, its scenery offers another glimpse of the countryside that makes Surrey such an attractive filming destination.
Dorset, England
The production also travelled to Dorset, a coastal county in south-west England known for its dramatic cliffs, historic seaside communities and beautiful stretches of coastline. Its natural scenery provided a very different backdrop from the studio environments in Surrey, making it an excellent setting for the series' outdoor sequences.
In October 2025, the filming unit reportedly took over Portland Bill Lighthouse and the surrounding area to shoot scenes involving Elrond, Gil-galad and Pharazôn. The lighthouse stands at the southernmost point of the Isle of Portland, where the coastline meets the English Channel. Its distinctive white tower has guided ships through the waters around Portland for generations, making it one of Dorset's recognisable coastal landmarks.
The surrounding landscape is equally impressive. Portland Bill is known for its rocky shoreline, open sea views and exposed coastal scenery. The area can experience strong winds and unpredictable weather, so it certainly offers a different filming experience from working inside a comfortable studio. Still, those dramatic conditions can make an outdoor fantasy scene look considerably more convincing.
BillWatch Cottage, a holiday property in the Portland Bill area, was also identified as one of the production's filming destinations. Its location offers visitors an opportunity to experience the coastal surroundings that formed part of the production's setting. The cottage is part of a landscape where traditional buildings, open skies and the rugged coastline sit comfortably together.
Another recognisable location was Pulpit Rock, a striking natural rock formation close to Portland Bill. Surrounded by the sea, the formation provides an unusual coastal landscape, with waves breaking against the rocks and expansive views across the English Channel. It is the sort of place that hardly needs much decoration to look cinematic. The production reportedly used the surrounding area for exterior sequences, taking advantage of Dorset's naturally dramatic scenery.
Visitors exploring this part of Dorset can also make time for Chesil Beach, one of the county's best-known natural landmarks. This long shingle beach stretches for approximately 18 miles, connecting the Isle of Portland with the mainland. Its distinctive shoreline and open coastal views make it an interesting addition to a Portland trip, particularly for anyone who enjoys walking and photography.
Tredegar, Wales
Wales also contributed to the third season's production, with filming taking place in and around Tredegar, a town in the historic county of Monmouthshire. Known for its industrial heritage and surrounding countryside, the area offered a landscape quite different from the coastal scenery of Dorset and the purpose-built environments in Surrey.
In August 2025, cast and crew members were reportedly spotted filming important sequences at Trefil Quarry, located north-west of the village of Trefil. The quarry sits within a rugged landscape characterised by exposed rock, open ground and the distinctive terrain of the South Wales uplands.
The location's natural appearance makes it particularly suitable for a fantasy production. Its rocky surroundings provide an imposing outdoor environment that can be transformed into battlefields and other locations across Middle-earth with the help of production design, costumes and visual effects.
Trefil itself is a small village surrounded by open countryside, making it a quieter destination compared with some of Wales' more heavily visited tourist attractions. The surrounding landscape is also connected to the region's industrial past, with quarrying and mining having played important roles in the area's development.
Tredegar has also featured in other screen productions over the years. Projects associated with the wider area include Wrath of the Titans, Being Human, Torchwood and Doctor Who. Its combination of rugged scenery and distinctive Welsh landscapes has made the region an appealing choice for productions looking for something a little different.
Another worthwhile destination in the area is Bedwellty House and Park, a historic property in Tredegar surrounded by landscaped grounds. The site offers a more peaceful contrast to the rugged quarry scenery, with gardens, mature trees and historical architecture. It is an interesting stop for anyone wanting to explore more of the town beyond its connection with television and film production.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Switzerland provided one of the most visually impressive settings associated with The Rings of Power Season 3, with production reportedly using the spectacular surroundings of Lauterbrunnen Valley to represent the fictional Elven settlement of Rivendell.
Located in the Bernese Oberland region, Lauterbrunnen is famous for its dramatic valley, steep mountain walls, traditional Swiss villages and numerous waterfalls. Its scenery looks almost unreal, which is probably why it works so well for a fantasy world. Some locations simply arrive with their own production design, and Lauterbrunnen is certainly one of them.
One of the valley's most recognisable landmarks is Staubbach Falls, a spectacular waterfall that plunges approximately 297 metres down a rocky cliff face. It is among Switzerland's most celebrated natural attractions and can be seen from different parts of the village. During warmer months, the surrounding landscape becomes especially picturesque, with green meadows and mountain scenery creating a striking contrast against the towering cliffs.
The valley also offers views of the Bernese Alps, traditional wooden chalets and peaceful walking routes. These features provide the sort of natural beauty that fits the visual identity of Rivendell, the legendary Elven refuge in Tolkien's world.
Lauterbrunnen also has a special connection to Tolkien himself. The Swiss landscape is widely associated with the inspiration behind his vision of Rivendell, following his travels through the region. The valley's dramatic mountains and waterfalls make the connection particularly easy to understand.
Visitors can also explore Mürren, a picturesque mountain village perched above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Accessible by cable car and mountain railway, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, traditional Alpine architecture and a quieter atmosphere away from the main valley floor. It is an excellent destination for anyone hoping to experience more of the Swiss scenery that makes this region so memorable.
Is The Rings of Power Season 3 Worth Visiting Its Filming Locations?
There is something particularly enjoyable about discovering the real places behind a fantasy production, especially when the locations are as varied as those used for The Rings of Power. Surrey brings the practical side of filmmaking into focus, Dorset offers dramatic coastal scenery, Tredegar provides rugged landscapes, and Lauterbrunnen delivers the sort of mountain views that seem almost designed for Middle-earth.
Personally, Switzerland would be at the top of my travel list, largely because Lauterbrunnen looks spectacular even without the help of a production team or a generous visual-effects budget. Dorset would come a close second for its coastline and distinctive landmarks. Surrey is interesting for anyone curious about studio filmmaking, while Tredegar deserves attention for its unusual outdoor scenery. Of course, visiting every location would require a fair amount of planning, but that is hardly a bad excuse for a holiday. Just remember to pack comfortable walking shoes rather than an Elven costume.
These destinations show how much work goes into creating the world of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. From the extensive facilities at Shepperton Studios to the natural beauty of Lauterbrunnen, each location brings something different to the production.
So, would you add Surrey, Dorset, Tredegar or Switzerland to your travel bucket list? Which filming destination would you most like to explore in person? Share your thoughts, especially if you have already visited any of these places. We would love to hear which location impressed you the most!