The highly anticipated second season of the hit bilingual crime thriller, The Light in the Hall (known as Y Golau: Dŵr in Welsh), has returned to British screens this month. Broadcast on Channel 4 throughout June 2026, the series continues to captivate international audiences not only with its gripping narrative but also with its breathtaking backdrops. Filmed extensively across Carmarthenshire, Wales, the production has thrust the region’s dramatic landscapes and charming market towns into the global spotlight, cementing its reputation as a premier destination for screen tourism.
The Allure of Llanemlyn: Discovering Llandovery and Llandeilo
In this latest installment, subtitled Still Waters for its English broadcast, the storyline shifts back to the fictional Welsh town of Llanemlyn, where a controversial reservoir expansion reignites long-buried community tensions. To bring Llanemlyn to life, producers once again chose the historic market town of Llandovery. Situated on the River Tywi, midway between Swansea and Brecon, Llandovery provides the quintessential small-town Welsh atmosphere that gives the show its atmospheric edge.
Beyond Llandovery, the neighbouring region of Llandeilo features prominently. The area’s striking lakes, vast reservoirs, and mountainous terrains perfectly frame the brooding narrative. Exterior urban scenes and specialized interior shots were supplemented by locations in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, but the undisputed star of the cinematography remains the Tywi Valley. The raw beauty of these rural settings provides a striking contrast to the dark, suspenseful plot led by returning cast member Sian Reese-Williams and actor Mark Lewis Jones.
The ‘Celtic Noir’ Phenomenon and Screen Tourism
The global fascination with location-inspired vacations, often referred to as “set-jetting,” has transformed how international travellers choose their destinations. Carmarthenshire is rapidly emerging as a central hub for this trend. Over the past few years, the county has hosted numerous high-profile productions, earning it a reputation as the home of “Celtic Noir.” The region has provided the backdrop for international hits including Disney’s Willow, BBC’s Keeping Faith, and ITV’s Out There.
The portrayal of authentic Welsh stories and landscapes on television serves as a powerful organic marketing tool. Visitors are increasingly seeking out the lesser-known rural regions depicted in these gripping dramas. The emotional resonance of the landscape, heavily tied to historical events like the real-life compulsory purchase orders and reservoir floodings in Wales during the 1960s, adds a layer of cultural depth that modern cultural tourists crave.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The tangible benefits of this screen tourism boom are highly evident in regional data. Carmarthenshire’s visitor economy has seen exceptional growth over the past decade. Recent statistics highlight that the county welcomed 3.31 million visitors during the 2023 tourist season, generating a remarkable £683.26 million for the local economy. With over 7.11 million tourist days spent in the region and more than 6,600 people employed in the sector, the synergy between the creative industries and the hospitality sector has proven incredibly lucrative.
Looking toward the future, the ongoing success of globally distributed series like The Light in the Hall is predicted to drive sustained international interest, particularly from North American and European markets. Local authorities and tourism boards are already capitalizing on this momentum, recently launching specialized filming modules for local tourism ambassadors to better guide incoming set-jetters.
As the second season broadcasts to millions this year, the Tywi Valley and its surrounding towns are expected to see a significant surge in autumn and winter bookings. The continuous investment in infrastructure, such as the new active travel pathways across the valley, combined with the global reach of Channel 4 and streaming platforms, suggests that Carmarthenshire will remain a highly sought-after destination for both film crews and international travellers well into the late 2020s.
