House of the Dragon builds impressive burned village set for season 3

Filming on the third season of House of the Dragon is ongoing, both behind the walls of Leavesden Studios in England and out in the world. This year, the cast and crew are doing a lot of work in Wales; North Wales Live reports that they've blocked off an old slate mine called Dinorwig Quarry, with guards posted around the area before filming begins.

House of the Dragon also filmed scenes for season 2 in this location. “The producers have been quite clever this time," said resident John Horrigan, whose land borders the quarry. "For season 2, they didn’t close off the quarry completely until filming began, making it easier for some people to see the sets being built. This year they want to ensure no interruptions, so have closed off the quarry earlier.”

Still, the enterprising Mr. Horrigan snuck in before things were closed off and got an idea of what was being done. One set appears to be a burnt and ruined village. “This is in the same place where they had the battle encampment in the last series, with buildings, tents and catapults," Horrigan said. "Already some props have been brought on site - and they’re all burnt. Even though the props are made off-site, you get a strong burning smell as soon as you reach the area."

"Lots of burnt timber are also piled up on wooden pallets ready for set construction. This morning, two 18-tonne trucks and an articulated lorry brought in more crates, ready to be hoisted into position and unpacked by construction crews. It looks like they are recreating the village from the last series, only this time after it’s been ruined and burnt to the ground by a dragon."

The village he's referring to is probably the military encampment outside the walls of Harrenhal castle in the Riverlands. Daemon Targaryen assembled an army of Rivermen to fight his nephew King Aegon Targaryen. At the end of season 2, King Aegon's brother Aemond Targaryen was marching out to confront Daemon and his army. If you've read George R.R. Martin's book Fire & Blood, you know that doesn't go according to plan. Without giving anything away, I can imagine Aemond getting frustrated and burning Daemon's old encampment.

At another site, the production is building a flight of steps that lead "to an upper level, on which scaffolding is being erected." It's hard to guess what that will stand in for, but Horrigan was impressed. “It’s massive,” he said. “They’ve spend weeks building it, with erecting safety rails, steps and towers. I don’t know if that’s where some of the actors will be filmed, or whether it’s they’re putting cameras to film the canyon below, but a battle scene is predicted.”

Finally, near one of the former quarry mills, the production is raising a huge wooden facade to stand in for the front of a medieval hall. “It’s amazing to think they’re only filming for four days and yet have to spend a month building the sets,” Horrigan said. “It’s definitely bigger than last time and the whole process is taking longer.”

There's other activity afoot. Residents received a letter letting them know that scenes filmed in the area would involve “extras in armour, horses, special effects and various props.” A casting call is out for "rugged men" with "good facial hair."

Horrigan, whose curiosity and passion I am coming to admire, seems to be enjoying the whole thing. “I came across four rocks that looked so real you wouldn’t know they were fake even if you stood by them," he said. "I wonder how many people thought they were part of a new rockfall. Those in the know will point to the sandbags on top to stop them rolling away!”

"The production is bringing a lot of money into local hotels, pubs and restaurants. The crews are also being very respectful to the quarry. They’ve placed bins everywhere and there’s no littering at all, which makes a nice change."

This has been the Horrigan Report.

We'll get to know the people of Tumbleton in House of the Dragon season 3

Meanwhile, reliable House of the Dragon scoop account House the Dragons gives us some information on Kat, the wife of newly minted dragon-rider Hugh Hammer. You may remember that, in season 2, Kat wanted to flee King's Landing before war came to the city, saying she would go stay with her family in the town of Tumbleton. According to House the Dragons, we may meet some of that family. Tumbleton is the site of a couple of major events from Fire & Blood, so it makes sense the show would want to give us some grounding there.

Filming will continue on House of the Dragon season 3 for a while yet. Expect new episodes to start dropping on HBO and Max sometime in 2026.

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