Locations

The middle series of Knightmare used real-life locations as backgrounds to the dungeon.

Starting from Series 4, the producers of Knightmare began to include photographs of real-life locations in the dungeon design. They also captured video footage by helicopter to create flights for Smirkenorff the Dragon.

Locations included re-enactment villages as well as numerous castles and ruins in England and Wales. Often the colour of the images was altered to give a more 'magical' or 'fantasy' look to the dungeon.

After a few seasons, the production crew ventured into Spain, adding further castle grounds and rooms to the inventory.

In This Section

Abbey Undercroft

The Undercroft, as used in Series 6 and Series 7.

We didn't always see the tops of quest rooms. This vaulted ceiling was an exception.

Academy of Magic

Sidriss the Confused presides over the Academy of Magic, as seen in Series 7 (1993).

Between The Worst Witch and Harry Potter came Knightmare's own modest place for magical learning and testing.

Arches

The Arches, which appeared on several occasions during Series 7 (1993).

This castle courtyard, backed by arches, appeared at different points in Series 7's first and second levels.

Ariadne's Lair

The original Ariadne's Lair from Series 4 (1990).

The giant arachnid constructed her lair across different locations, and it was always a race against time for dungeoneers to escape.

Blockers

One of the courtyards in which a blocker appeared during Series 5 (1991).

A series of areas were used for blockers - advancing walls that demanded a password.

Castle Entrance

A dungeoneer at the Castle Entrance (Bodiam Castle) used in Series 5 (1991).

Knightmare's move to real-world locations and the introduction of Smirkenorff the Dragon provided the context for several castle entrances.

Castle Ruins

Old castle ruins, as shown in Series 5 (1991).

Knightmare's growing portfolio of real castles and forts yielded a number of striking ruins, from Britain and overseas.

Caverns of Gore

The Caverns of Gore, which featured as the 'last dungeon' in Series 6 (1992).

Also known as the Mines of Gore, this location marked a return to a deep, dark Level 3 as seen in earlier series.

Circular Rooms

Circular rooms appeared in a variety of situations in Series 4 and Series 5.

A circular chamber formed the basis for most of the third level in Series 4, with cameo appearances in later years.

Cloudwalker

The decks of the ship, the Cloudwalker, from Series 6 (1992).

A seaborne galleon, with a hostile but helpful captain, that could help dungeoneers progress to Level 3 and the last dungeon.

Crazed Heifer

The inn, The Crazed Heifer, as shown in Series 4 (1990).

A popular location in the dungeon, Knightmare's tavern was a regular source of supplies, information and gossip.

Dungarth

The Ruins of Dungarth, as shown in Series 4 (1990) and Series 6 (1992).

Guarded by goblins, assassins, ogres, and a giant lizard, the Ruins of Dungarth were an early hazard for teams in Series 4.

Dunkley Wood

Dunkley Wood, as featured in Level 2 of Series 4 (1990).

Also known as the 'Old Place', this former home of the elves was the nesting site for Ariadne in Series 4.

Dunswater / Tower of Time

The Dunswater crossing in Level 2 of Series 4 (1990).

Several teams had to cross a body of water known as the Dunswater, including those who reached the third level in Series 4.

Dwarf Tunnels (Series 6-7)

Series 7, Quest 4. Naila enters a dark dwarf tunnel.

These sinister purpose-built tunnels were a regular thoroughfare during the sixth and seventh series.

Eye Shield Room

The room containing the Eye Shield in Series 4 (1990).

This green-lit room in Level 1 of Series 4 was the opportunity for each dungeoneer to collect the new Eye Shield.

Forest of Dun / Oakley's Glen

The Forest of Dun in Series 4 (1990).

An area of exposed forest land leads to the grove of a tree troll known as Oakley.

Fortress of Doom

The Fortress of Doom, as shown in Series 4 (1990).

This heavily-guarded fortress contained the Level 1 wellway in the fourth series of Knightmare.

Galley Room

The Galley Room, as shown in Series 7 (1993).

This ornate room with a coronation mural was a regular feature of the second level in Series 7.

Gate Tower

Outside the Gate Tower, as shown in Series 5 (1991).

Within this imposing tower, dungeoneers in Series 5 could find the descending device to the next level.

Great Hall

The hall, which appeared in Series 5 and Series 7.

This ornate room was a popular setting for encounters with characters in the second level.

Greystagg's Throne

Greystagg's antechamber, as shown in Series 7 (1993).

The Witch Queen had a permanent antechamber in the seventh series, despite the turmoil surrounding the witches' territory.

Grimdale

The town of Grimdale, in Level 1 of Series 7 (1993).

The town of Warlock in Grimdale was Series 7's less visited equivalent to Wolfenden: a safe place for trading items and information.

Holmgarth

The settlement of Holmgarth in Series 6 (1992).

A settlement introduced early in Series 6.

Rocks of Bruin

The Rocks of Bruin, as shown in Series 6 (1992).

Claustrophobia was not among the dangers facing dungeoneers who ventured through this distinctive rocky landscape.

Smirkenorff Flights

Smirkenorff in flight during Series 5 (1991).

Flights on Smirkenorff, created using helicopter footage in castles and villages around England and Wales, were a memorable part of the show.

Stone Courtyards

Courtyard with staircase, shown frequently in Series 5 (1991).

The growth in the outdoor dungeon based on real castles and forts led to a significant number of stone courtyards, from Britain and overseas.

The Abbey

Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorskhire, with amended hue to recreate the scene in Knightmare.

Seen only once, these monastic ruins marked the ruin of a quest at the metaphorical hands of Lord Fear's Dreadnort.

The Barn / Farm

A farm location used in Series 5 (1991).

The fifth season of Knightmare had a number of farmland areas, separate to the Greenwood.

The Basement

A two-part area in Series 4, based on the basements of Castle Rising in Norfolk.

In Series 4, this two-part area was used for clues and character encounters early in Level 2.

The Greenwood

An area of The Greenwood, as shown in Series 5 (1991).

A series of woodland clearings in the fifth series of Knightmare, which were overseen by the Greenwarden.

Weeping Doors

The Weeping Door from Level 1 of Series 4 (1990).

On every level in Series 4, dungeoneers had to face the true-or-false questions of a weeping door to lower the drawbridge.

Winteria

Winteria. Series 5, Level 3.

The icy and sinister final dungeon in Series 5 was monitored by the Ice Queen, Aesandre.

Witch Haven

A chamber within WitchHaven, from Series 6 (1992).

Home of the Grey Sisters and domain of Queen Greystagg, Witch Haven occupied Level 2 in several quests.

Wolfenden

Weald and Downland Living Museum (Wolfenden)

Wolfenden was the village on the borders of Wolfglade where traders usually set up their stalls.

Wolfglade

One of the clearings from Wolfglade, a settlement from Level 1 of Series 5 in Knightmare.

Wolfglade was a forest area that teams encountered in the early stages of the quest during Series 5.