UK nature reserve that doubles for the desert in Hollywood blockbusters – and it’s right by the beach

A NATURE reserve in the UK has been compared to desert scenes from the Middle East – and has even doubled up for such places in Hollywood movies.

A beach in Wales is hardly the first place you’d imagine a film like Lawrence of Arabia to have been filmed.

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However, that’s exactly where some of the 1962 epic was shot – on one of Europe’s largest sand dunes.

The Merthyr Mawr nature reserve is home to the Big Dipper – one of the tallest dunes in Europe, standing a mountainous 800ft in height.

It towers over the desert-like reserve that were used to mimic the landscapes of the Ottoman provinces of Hejaz and Greater Syria in the three-hour long flick.

And it still to this day reminds visitors of destinations in the Middle East.

Among those to have drawn the comparison, include Atlas Obscura, who wrote: “Visit Merthyr Mawr on a hot summer’s day and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were wandering the deserts of Oman rather than exploring a nature reserve just north of the Welsh village of Ogmore.

“A comparison not lost on English film director, David Lean, who used the area as a stand-in for the landscapes of Asia in his classic 1962 adventure film Lawrence of Arabia.”

The sands from the nature reserve stretch out onto Merthyr Mawr Beach, a popular stretch of shoreline with locals and visitors.

It was profiled by Get Out More, who listed it as one of Wales’ best beaches.

They wrote: “Merthyr Mawr is a wide sandy beach backed by the extensive dune system of Merthyr Mawr warren.

“It’s a good choice for a day out, and there’s plenty to explore.”

The beach is also not far from two castles, which sit close to the reserve, with the ruins of Candleston Castle and Ogmore Castle both close enough for a visit.

The former is a 14th-century fortified manor house that is well hidden from public view by the trees that surround it.

Little Old World described it as “very much the epitome of a hidden gem” and it reminded them of “something out of an Indiana Jones-type movie”.

They added: “It’s an enchanting, forgotten ruin concealed by the woods, overrun by plants.”

Meanwhile, Ogmore Castle is more obvious, sitting across the River Ogmore and reachable by some stepping stones – a feature that most visitors love making the most of.

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Britain Express wrote: “This picturesque Norman castle was constructed to guard a crossing of the River Ewenny just before its confluence with the Ogmore.

“The view of the castle across the river is wonderful, with horses peacefully grazing in the pasture beyond the castle enclosure.”

If exploring castles, film sets, giant sand dunes and beaches isn’t enough for you, there’s also a street food festival that’s held at the nature reserve every year.

The Merthyr Mawr Summer Feastival turns up for five weekends in Spring to create “an alfresco dining experience like no other”.

The “immersive street food festival” features food trucks and chefs from Wales and beyond, offering tasty treats in the atmospheric surroundings.

 The woodland and the dunes start to come alive on both Friday and Saturday nights with campfires, Guest DJs and either a band or cabaret performance.

This year’s feastival will run each weekend from April 19 unti May 19.

Meanwhile, this is a hidden beach right in the centre of London.

And this tiny beach is hidden in a cave and can only be reached by boat.

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