Death Valley is a new British crime mystery series starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth. The six-part show is set in Wales and will premiere on May 25, 2025, on BritBox, BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and BBC iPlayer.
The story follows John Chapel, a retired actor who once played a detective on TV. When he meets DS Janie Mallowan, a smart and calm police officer, he joins her in solving real crimes. John is dramatic and quirky, while Janie is serious and focused. Together, they make a unique team.
Death Valley Filming Locations
But one of the most interesting parts of Death Valley is the beautiful and real places where the series was filmed. Let’s take a journey through these locations and see how they help bring the story to life.
| Location | Area | Scenes/Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penarth | Vale of Glamorgan | John’s coffee shop, theatre exterior/interior | Featured Brod Bakery and Penarth Pier |
| Llantwit Major | Vale of Glamorgan | Church, art gallery (Ep. 3) | Filmed near St Illtyd’s Church and Galilee Chapel |
| Insole Court | Llandaff, Cardiff | Interior scenes | Victorian mansion with Gothic architecture |
| St Hilary | Vale of Glamorgan | John Chapel’s cottage | Quiet village with historic charm |
| Mountain Ash Town Hall | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Exterior of police station | Used as real-looking station front |
| St Fagans National Museum | Cardiff | Interior of police station | Historical museum with authentic Welsh settings |
| Duffryn | Near Barry, Vale of Glamorgan | Carwyn & Danielle’s house (Ep. 1) | Residential area known from Gavin & Stacey |
| Abbey Wood’s, Cwmbran | South Wales | Construction site (Ep. 1) | Real-life area used for outdoor construction scene |
| Blaen y Glyn, Brecon Beacons | South Wales | Waterfall scene (Ep. 2) | Beautiful spot in Brecon Beacons National Park |
| Kings Arms Pub | Pentyrch, Cardiff | Interior pub scenes (Ep. 2) | Real pub used for interior bar scenes |
| The Old Ford Inn | Llanhamlach, near Brecon | Exterior of pub (Ep. 2) | Used for outside views of the pub |
| Ogmore-by-Sea | Vale of Glamorgan | Leonard’s house (Ep. 4) | Coastal village with stunning views of Bristol Channel |
| Brynteg Comprehensive School | Bridgend | School scenes (Ep. 6) | Used for both interior and exterior school shots |
1. Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
A big part of the series was filmed in Penarth, a peaceful seaside town near Cardiff. In the show, scenes were filmed on Glebe Street, especially around Brod Bakery. John Chapel is often seen grabbing coffee here.
In Episode 4, the team used Penarth Pier for the outside of the theatre, while the inside was filmed at Penarth Conservative Club.
About Penarth:
Penarth is known for its Victorian architecture, seafront views, and the famous Grade II listed pier. It’s a popular spot for walkers and families who enjoy the Wales Coast Path and relaxing parks like Alexandra Park.
2. Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan
This historic town was featured in multiple episodes. Filming took place near St Illtyd’s Church and the Galilee Chapel. Episode 3 includes scenes in and around the church, and a local art gallery.
About Llantwit Major:
One of the oldest towns in Wales, it was a center of early Christian teaching. Today, it blends old stone buildings with natural coastal beauty, attracting both visitors and film crews.
3. Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff
Insole Court is a grand Victorian house with beautiful gardens. Interior scenes were filmed here to give the series a classic, elegant look.
About Insole Court:
Built in 1856, it belonged to a coal-rich family and later served as council offices. Thanks to local efforts, it was saved and restored. Now, it’s open to the public and hosts exhibitions, a café, and events.
4. St Hilary, Vale of Glamorgan
The quiet village of St Hilary is where John Chapel’s cottage was filmed. With only about 80 homes, the village adds a peaceful, small-town feeling to the show.
5. Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf
The exterior of the police station in Death Valley was filmed at the real Mountain Ash Town Hall. This gave the show a real and believable look.
6. St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
While the outside of the police station was filmed in Mountain Ash, the inside scenes were shot at St Fagans Museum. It’s an open-air museum showing Welsh life and culture through real, historic buildings.
7. Duffryn, Near Barry
In Episode 1, the home of characters Carwyn and Danielle was filmed in Dyffryn, also reffered as Duffryn, a scenic place near Barry—famous as the setting for the comedy Gavin & Stacey.
8. Cwmbran – Abbey Wood’s
The construction site from Episode 1 was filmed in Abbey Wood’s, a real area in Cwmbran, South Wales.
9. Brecon Beacons – Blaen y Glyn Waterfalls
Episode 2 features a beautiful waterfall scene, filmed at Blaen y Glyn in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The area is loved by hikers for its natural beauty and quiet atmosphere.
10. Kings Arms, Pentyrch & The Old Ford Inn, Llanhamlach
Episode 2 has pub scenes filmed in two locations:
- Interior: Kings Arms in Pentyrch, a real pub near Cardiff.
- Exterior: The Old Ford Inn, near Brecon, for outdoor shots.
11. Ogmore-by-Sea
In Episode 4, the home of the character Leonard was filmed in Ogmore-by-Sea, a coastal village with rocky cliffs and stunning views of the Bristol Channel.
12. Brynteg Comprehensive School, Bridgend
The school scenes in Episode 6 were filmed at Brynteg School in Bridgend, using both interior and exterior areas.
When Was Death Valley Filmed?
Filming took place during June 2024. The cast and crew spent weeks across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, using real locations to create an authentic feel. Despite traveling between cities and villages, the production moved smoothly.
Death Valley Behind the Scenes
The creators of Death Valley wanted the series to feel grounded in real Welsh culture. Locations like Penarth, St Fagans, and Llantwit Major weren’t chosen just for beauty — they helped tell the story.
The team also faced real-life moments during filming. While no major delays were reported, filming with real buildings and active communities always brings surprises — from weather changes to curious locals watching the shoot!
The result is a series that feels close to real life, with locations that are more than just backgrounds — they help build the world of Death Valley.
FAQs
Q. Where was Death Valley filmed?
A. It was filmed in various parts of Wales, including Penarth, Llantwit Major, Duffryn, Mountain Ash, and Cardiff.
Q. When did filming for Death Valley take place?
A. Filming happened in June 2024.
Q. What’s the story of Death Valley?
A. A retired actor and a clever detective team up to solve crimes in Wales. It’s a mix of mystery, drama, and some dark humor.
Q. Is the bakery in the show real?
A. Yes! It’s Brod Bakery in Penarth, and both inside and outside shots were filmed there.
Q. Where is John Chapel’s cottage?
A. His cottage scenes were filmed in St Hilary, a small village in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Q. What about the police station scenes?
A. The outside was filmed at Mountain Ash Town Hall, and the inside at St Fagans Museum in Cardiff.
Q. Where was the school in Episode 6?
A. The school is Brynteg Comprehensive, located in Bridgend.
Q. When does Death Valley premiere?
A. It premieres on May 25, 2025, on BritBox, BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and BBC iPlayer.
Final Thoughts
Death Valley brings together a thrilling story, great acting, and the beautiful landscapes of Wales. From charming coastal towns to historic buildings and national parks, the filming locations make the story feel real and alive.
Each place — whether it’s a quiet cottage, a busy street, or a peaceful waterfall — adds something special to the mystery. Fans of British crime dramas will not only enjoy the plot, but also the chance to see some of Wales’ most scenic spots on screen.
If you’re planning a trip to Wales, you might just find yourself walking through a scene from Death Valley.