Gavin & Stacey Filming Location Experiences Surge in Fan Visits

A church that served as a filming location for two scenes in the television series Gavin and Stacey has experienced a “flurry” of visitors ahead of the final episode. St Cattwg’s Church, located in Llanmaes, Vale of Glamorgan, was the setting for Gavin and Stacey’s wedding in series one. Additionally, it was the location where the sitcom’s vicar, Father Chris, portrayed by William Thomas, instructed his congregation to share their preferred sandwiches. Since Gavin & Stacey first premiered 17 years ago, the church has evolved into a popular destination for enthusiasts across the UK, with numerous individuals signing the visitor book. Church warden Jeff Robinson stated, “They’ll write ‘what’s occurring’ or that it’s a ‘lush’ church.” Mr Robinson, aged 82, mentioned that the Gavin and Stacey cast and crew utilized St Cattwg’s for two days of filming. The 800-year-old church lacks a toilet facility, but Mr Robinson sought to prevent any inconvenience for the team. He recounted, “The BBC asked me if there was a toilet they could use while filming but there isn’t one at the church, so I told them they could use the toilets at my house.” Mr Robinson further described the situation: “They’d just finished filming the wedding scene and everyone decided to use the loo at the same time, the entire wedding party all dressed in their hats and wedding clothes.” “People must have thought we were holding a wedding reception,” he added. He concluded, “It was an extraordinary two days.” Mr Robinson has served as the church warden at St Cattwg’s, which was constructed in 1234, for a period of 25 years. He noted that despite the church’s extensive history, it has become most recognized for its association with Gavin and Stacey. He stated, “It has been busier again recently because of the Christmas special. One couple just drove from Guildford because they wanted to visit the church where Gavin and Stacey married and this happens frequently.” Mr Robinson further remarked, “It’s now most famous for an event that didn’t happen – a TV wedding. When you think of all the real weddings that have happened here over the years.” Mr Robinson indicated that the “sandwich episode,” in which Father Chris requests the main characters to share their preferred sandwiches, was also “frequently mentioned in the visitors’ book.” One entry, submitted by visitors who reported driving for three hours, reads, “I like the tunas” – a reference to the character Doris. Another entry, from a couple originating from Dudley, states: “Love a good cheese and onion sandwich.” Mr Robinson mentioned that Joanna Page, the actress who portrayed Stacey, has personally visited the church in recent years to take photographs and reflect on memories. When asked about his personal favourite sandwich, Mr Robinson responded: “It would have to be tuna. A tuna mayonnaise made with brown bread.” Gavin & Stacey: The Finale is scheduled to air on BBC One at 21:00 GMT on 25 December. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.