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Where was BBC drama The Rapture filmed?

As the new BBC drama kicks off this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about where the show was filmed.

A person using a wheelchair and another person stand beneath a large stone bridge in a wooded area, both looking ahead with concerned, alert expressions. The wheelchair user is wearing a light blue jumper and jeans, while the standing person wears a checked overshirt over a white T-shirt and beige trousers. Warm sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the stone arches and leaf-covered ground, creating a dramatic, atmospheric setting.

BBC/Mammoth Screen

Published: Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 7:00 pm

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In BBC’s new psychological thriller The Rapture, a bitter heatwave only adds to the tension and feeling of imminent danger for psychologist Dr Gabs Fox (Ruth Madeley), as she deals with her trickiest – and most mind-bending – case to date.

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After dealing with a personal tragedy of her own, Gabs's own belief system is put to the test when she’s assigned the case of Bethany Krall (India Amarteifio)– a 17-year-old who made headlines when she was sectioned for murdering her mother. Her charismatic father, Leonard, is the leader of a popular "spiritual movement" known as The Faith Way.

Gabs is unnerved by Bethany’s ability to know intimate details of her life, and her claims she can see an end-of-the-world level string of natural disasters coming in the future. What’s even more eerie, is that she seems to have a point, with the scorching heat and her drawings of the world outside the hospital’s walls almost too on the nose.

As the story plays out, the locations of The Rapture become extremely important, with stunning National Parks and tattered historical ruins all laying the foundation for what may or may not be the truth.

Here’s what you need to know about The Rapture’s key locations, and where to find them.

Where was The Rapture filmed? All the key locations

The Rapture was filmed entirely in Wales – most prominently south Wales, including Port Talbot and Swansea – with the actors noting the country became an essential part of the storytelling.

Ruth Madeley said: "When we knew that we were filming in Wales, and the script reflected that, weirdly, it seemed to all fit. It almost made the story make more sense.

"The nature of the locations are stunning, the scenery here is unbelievable. It looks so beautiful. You can only get that in Wales."

"I’ve filmed briefly in Wales before, but this is the first time I’ve spent a longer period here, and it’s been unreal," added India Amarteifio. "I’m such a country girl, so it’s been perfect. I’ve been staying on a farm, so after a really intense day, going back to see the horses, the cows, and the beautiful green meadows has been amazing."

"I’ve also loved learning more about Wales by being here and speaking to the crew and cast," she added. "We’ve really been able to hone in on the beauty of the landscape, which is what the show is about. It’s about celebrating and looking after the planet, and Wales is a great place to show that."

Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon, who plays local reporter Dick Carwin, also noted: "[Wales] offers so much to the filmmaker. For this, they wanted a variety, from a slightly run-down town to open forests and ruins, so you’ve got that real dynamism, which is great to see on screen.

"So, from a seaside town that has seen better days to nature and history, it offers filmmakers the opportunity to make a lot of different places look pretty much like anywhere."

Here are just some of where the key scenes were shot:

Margam Park, Port Talbot

Two people stand facing each other in the open courtyard of a roofless stone abbey or monastery ruin. A man in a black T-shirt and jeans stands on the left, while a woman in an oversized dark brown hoodie and matching sweatpants stands on the right. A tall stone column separates them in the foreground. Both wear serious, focused expressions as they look directly at one another. Soft daylight filters through the ruined walls and arches, with patches of grass covering the ground and weathered stone architecture filling the background.

Sam Hazeldine as Leonard Krall and India Amarteifio as Bethany Krall. BBC/Mammoth Screen

Margam Park, a country park estate set on 850 acres of land, proved to be a particular favourite location for the actors – especially the ruins of the Abbey, which dates back to the 12th century, with the religious undertones playing into the religious aspects of the show.

Sam Hazeldine noted: "It’s a very popular location but it’s so beautiful. I didn’t actually get a chance to look around all the grounds and the main building, but we were filming in the ruins and it has a real energy about it."

"We filmed a lot in Port Talbot, and it was like 35 degrees," added actor Iwan Rheon. "Which is bizarre, because I don’t think it’s ever been that hot there!"

"I want it on record that we were in Port Talbot in 33-degree heat. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t been there myself," said Madeley.

Hayes Point Sully, Vale of Glamorgan

As Bethany’s assigned "home" and Gabs's place of work, Oxsmith Psychiatric Hospital is one of the key locations in the story of The Rapture, and is used throughout the show.

And if they’re looking for a place that looks like it has a lot of history within its walls, then Hayes Point Sully was the perfect place for it.

While it is now an apartment building, Hayes Point was originally Sully hospital, a specialist tuberculosis hospital that opened in 1936. In 1948, it was taken over by the Welsh Hospital Board to become a general hospital in order to help those injured as a result of World War II.

The entire estate is one intertwining connected building, and sits on around 45 acres of land. It has largely remained unaltered since it was first opened, and is now a Grade II listed building and considered a modernist landmark.

Maesteg Town Hall, Llynfi Valley

As Gabs tries to fit in with her new colleagues and surroundings at Oxsmith Psychiatric Hospital, she’s lured to an event on the promise of free wine for an energy company called Trenmoore.

While there, she meets several people who become key to the story that plays out, including the dapper Frasier Melville (Jack Farthing) who works for the company, and Dick Carwyn, an embittered local reporter who used to be a hotshot journalist.

A Grade II listed building, Maesteg Town Hall was built back in 1881, and is now home to the creative arts within the Llynfi Valley community – including events, theatre, live music and comedy nights.

Kardomah Cafe, Swansea

As Gabs tries to find out more about Bethany and her background, she seeks the knowledge of Simon Duval – the defence lawyer who represented Bethany during her murder trial.

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Throughout the show, they check in with each other at Kardomah Café – a 50s-diner inspired eatery based in Swansea that has been there for almost 50 years.

The Forge Tavern, Port Talbot

Gabs's digging into Bethany’s past – as well as The Faith Way and the Krall Family – eventually leads her to begrudgingly reach out to journalist Dick, who is down the local pub.

The Forge Tavern is a small privately owned pub in the heart of Port Talbot – and also the only pub in this part of town, with others being forced to close.

Porthcawl East Promenade

As Gabs grows closer to engineer Frasier, the pair are seen talking at a bar on Porthcawl’s East Promenade during episode four.

It sits next to Sandy Beach, and runs a mile down the coastline, filled with cafés, bars and restaurants. Starting with a chippy, and ending with the lighthouse – what more do you need by the seaside?

Smilog Woods, Llantrisant

In The Rapture’s thrilling climax, a key sequence takes place in the Smilog Woods.

A go-to location for mountain bikers, dog walkers and hikers, the Smilog Woods (also known as the Smaelog Trails) sit within the Llantrisant Forest, just above the main town.

Filled with wildlife, it’s the perfect place to be at one with nature – or for a psychological thriller to reach its conclusion (no spoilers!)

The Rapture starts Sunday 26 July at 9pm on BBC One.

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Authors

Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.

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