Confirmed · Cornwall · Landscape
Holywell Bay
The Stepstones coast in Game of Thrones. Open to visitors; allow 1 hour.
- On screen as
- The Stepstones coast
- Series and episodes
- House of the Dragon Season 1 · House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 1 · House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 3
- Access
- Open to visitors
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Where
- Holywell, near Newquay, Cornwall
On screen
How Holywell Bay appears
The Stepstones are a chain of islands between Westeros and Essos, and in House of the Dragon's first season Daemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon wage a long war there against the pirate known as the Crabfeeder. Holywell Bay's beach, dunes and the two jagged Gull Rocks offshore supplied this coast in The Heirs of the Dragon and Second of His Name, with ships, camps and battle effects added by the production. The real bay is a popular family beach on Cornwall's north coast near Newquay. Holywell Bay also appears in Poldark, so it is a two-show stop.
The real place
What you can visit
Holywell Bay is a broad sandy beach backed by large dunes, with the National Trust headland of Kelsey Head to the north and the Gull Rocks just offshore. It is free to visit, with surfing, rock pools at low tide and a stream crossing the sand from the village. A National Trust car park and seasonal cafés and pubs in Holywell village serve visitors. The walk through the dunes from the car park takes about ten minutes.
The beach has strong currents near the stream and rocks; swim between the lifeguard flags in season and check the tide before walking out to the rocks.
VisitBritain: House of the Dragon filming locations ↗Holywell is about 15 minutes south-west of Newquay off the A3075, postcode TR8 5PF. Use the National Trust or village car parks; both charge in season and fill early in summer. Seasonal buses link Holywell with Newquay. The dune path is soft sand, so wheelchair access to the beach is difficult.
Gallery
More views of Holywell Bay
Common questions
Planning a responsible visit
What was filmed at Holywell Bay?
VisitBritain identifies the beach as the Stepstones in House of the Dragon's first season, in episodes one and three. The ships and fantasy structures were added by the production.
Is Holywell Bay in Poldark too?
Yes. Holywell Bay also played the Warleggan beach in the BBC's Poldark. Our Poldark guide covers that series.
Is there parking at Holywell Bay?
Yes, a National Trust car park and village car parks, both charging non-members in season. They fill by mid-morning in summer, so arrive early.
Plan your visit
Build it into the day.
Kynance Cove and St Michael's Mount for a full House of the Dragon day, or Newquay's beaches.
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Map
Days out including this place
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