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

Stone Courtyards

By Keith McDonald

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


As Knightmare evolved to include real-world environments, the dungeon grew to include new areas from a variety of medieval and renaissance structures.

Courtyards, like castle ruins, were commonly used for clue rooms or for encounters with in-game characters.

A castle courtyard, as seen in Series 5 of Knightmare (1991).
A courtyard from Bodiam Castle

The variety of areas created a lot of versatility and generated lots of Eye Shield footage for transitions between areas.

England, Wales, Spain

Among the locations used are the old apartments from Bodiam Castle in Sussex and its main kitchen, which was used at different angles.

A castle courtyard, as seen in Series 6 of Knightmare (1992).
A courtyard from Caerphilly Castle, Wales

The thirteenth-century Caerphilly Castle in Wales was used for a variety of locations, including a well-kept entrance.

Series 7 introduced courtyards from several Spanish castles, such as Coca Castle in Segovia, Cuéllar Castle and La Mota Castle. These were mostly used for clues and interactions in Level 1.

A castle courtyard, as seen in Series 7 of Knightmare (1993).
A courtyard based on the kitchen at Bodiam Castle

Simancas Castle, Peñafiel Castle and Montealegre Castles in the Vallidolid region were also used for Level 1 scenes, normally involving Fidjit or Romahna the Dragon Warden.

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Clue Rooms

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Clue rooms allowed teams to choose objects that would help them survive the level. The Level 1 rooms were guarded by wall monsters.

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TV trailer for Knightmare before Series 1

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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.

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