Nestled on a windswept coast, the fictional realm of New Asgard captures the imagination of millions of Marvel fans around the world. Introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after the destruction of the original Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), New Asgard represents more than just a new home for the displaced Asgardian people—it is a powerful symbol of resilience, reinvention, and cultural integration.
What adds to the enchantment of New Asgard is that it isn’t just computer-generated fantasy. The breathtaking real-world location chosen to portray it is St Abbs, a picturesque village on the southeastern coast of Scotland. With its dramatic cliffs, tranquil harbour, and raw coastal beauty, St Abbs serves as a fitting canvas for the exiled gods of Norse mythology to rebuild their lives on Earth.
Let’s explore both the fictional story of New Asgard within the MCU and the real-life charm of its stand-in, St Abbs, weaving myth, cinema, and geography into one fascinating narrative.
The Rise of New Asgard in the Marvel Universe
When the original realm of Asgard is destroyed at the end of Thor: Ragnarok—engulfed in flames by the fire demon Surtur as part of the foretold Ragnarok—the surviving Asgardians flee aboard a refugee spaceship. Their journey is tragically interrupted by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, and many Asgardians are killed. The remaining survivors eventually settle on Earth in Avengers: Endgame (2019), founding a new settlement known as New Asgard.
In the MCU, New Asgard is established on the coast of Tønsberg, Norway, a fictionalized version of a real town that has deep historical significance in both Norse mythology and the Marvel universe. Tønsberg is also where the Tesseract (Space Stone) was hidden during Captain America: The First Avenger. The site chosen for New Asgard thus resonates with historical continuity within the MCU timeline.
When we meet New Asgard in Endgame, it is a modest fishing village. Thor, emotionally broken by his perceived failure to stop Thanos, has retreated into seclusion and depression, leaving Valkyrie to lead the remaining Asgardians. The village becomes a symbol of a people adapting to new circumstances—once space-faring deities, now humble coastal settlers working with fishing nets instead of cosmic weapons.
Despite its simplicity, New Asgard embodies the resilience of a people willing to start again after tremendous loss, adapting to Earth, co-existing with humans, and slowly redefining their place in the universe.
Filming Location: St Abbs, Scotland
While the MCU tells us New Asgard is in Norway, the actual filming location used for Endgame is the real-world village of St Abbs, located in Berwickshire, on Scotland’s southeast coast. This charming harbour town with its dramatic cliffside views and windswept beauty offered the perfect backdrop for Marvel’s reimagining of the Asgardians’ new home.
With its tight-knit community and quiet coastal atmosphere, St Abbs seamlessly became New Asgard. The harbour scenes where Hulk and Rocket visit Thor are filmed directly in the village. The white-painted cottages, the rolling hills, the old stone buildings, and the crashing waves all contribute to a compelling portrayal of an alien people trying to integrate into a very Earth-like existence.
After the film’s release, St Abbs gained a surge of popularity among Marvel fans. The village has since embraced its cinematic role—there are signs celebrating its role as New Asgard, and tourists regularly flock to the area for photo opportunities, walking tours, and a chance to stand where gods once walked.
Symbolism and Themes in New Asgard’s Creation
The creation of New Asgard is more than just a narrative convenience—it represents several deeper themes explored throughout the Thor films:
1. Home is not a place, but a people
This is a sentiment echoed by Odin before his death in Ragnarok, and it becomes a guiding principle for Thor. Asgard may be destroyed, but its essence survives in its people. New Asgard, in its humble form, symbolizes the idea that home can be rebuilt wherever community thrives.
2. Healing and redemption
Thor’s emotional arc reaches its lowest point in New Asgard. Having lost his family, his home, and his sense of purpose, he isolates himself. But this coastal village is also where his healing begins. With the help of his friends and a renewed sense of duty, Thor begins to recover. New Asgard becomes not just a setting, but a metaphor for healing after trauma.
3. Cultural adaptation
The Asgardians were once a warrior race with advanced alien technology and divine status. In New Asgard, they become farmers, fishermen, and citizens. This transition reflects themes of humility and adaptation. They are no longer above humanity but a part of it.
Valkyrie: The New Leader of Asgard
In Endgame, Thor passes the mantle of ruler to Valkyrie, a seasoned warrior and one of the few surviving members of Asgard’s elite guard. Her character’s rise represents the transition to a more grounded, progressive vision for Asgard’s future. She is a leader born not of royal lineage, but of strength, experience, and compassion.
Valkyrie’s leadership continues into Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), where we see her modernizing New Asgard into a tourism hub and working to bridge the cultural divide between the Asgardians and Earth. The film humorously yet poignantly shows her negotiating trade deals and managing town events—goddess turned mayor.
Tourism and Fandom in St Abbs
Since appearing in Endgame, St Abbs has become a minor pilgrimage site for Marvel fans. While the village remains a quiet and peaceful destination compared to other tourist hotspots, it has warmly welcomed the attention.
Visitors can walk the same harbour paths seen in the film, and local shops occasionally stock New Asgard-themed souvenirs. The area’s natural beauty alone is worth the visit—with nearby St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, hikers and wildlife lovers can enjoy coastal trails, birdwatching, and breathtaking views.
For those interested in cinematic tourism, St Abbs provides a unique blend of fantasy and reality. You don’t need to cross galaxies to find New Asgard—it’s right here on Earth, framed by rugged cliffs and grey seas.
Mythology Meets Modern Storytelling
The name “New Asgard” carries powerful mythological weight. In Norse mythology, Asgard is the realm of the gods, connected to Earth by the Bifrost bridge. It’s the seat of power, of divine justice, and of cosmic balance. The idea of “New Asgard” reimagines this tradition in a modern light: gods who walk among mortals, displaced by war and seeking sanctuary.
This mirrors many real-world stories of refugees and displaced cultures, of empires fallen and peoples searching for a new identity. New Asgard becomes more than a cinematic location—it becomes a symbol for how even the most powerful must find a way to rebuild, to coexist, and to survive with dignity.
Conclusion: A Place of Story and Spirit
Whether you know it as New Asgard or St Abbs, this coastal haven holds a unique place in the hearts of Marvel fans and travellers alike. It represents not only a shift in the MCU’s story arc but also a beautiful blending of fantasy and reality.
New Asgard is about rebirth after destruction, leadership through humility, and home beyond heritage. And in the cliffs and cottages of St Abbs, we find that magic does indeed exist—not in glowing hammers or interstellar ships, but in the quiet resilience of a community that reflects our deepest stories and aspirations.
For the visitor, it’s a chance to step into the Marvel universe. For the fan, it’s a reminder of courage and growth. And for the wanderer, it’s a breathtaking place where mythology, cinema, and nature meet.
