The real-life filming locations from 'The Force Awakens'

Through a mixture of chance and planning, CNET's Katie Collins and Andrew Hoyle have visited most of the Force Awakens filming locations. Here's how you can visit a galaxy far, far away without leaving Earth.

Of all the locations in "The Force Awakens", Skellig Michael is perhaps the most iconic and impressive.

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Skellig Michael is an island off the west coast of Ireland.

The craggy isle played host to Ahch-To, the location of the first Jedi temple.

Skellig Michael is set to reappear in the next Star Wars film: "The Last Jedi".

Abu Dhabi's desert was also used for filming.

The heat of the desert is polar opposite to windy, rainy Ireland.

It sure is arid and dusty.

Derwentwater is in the Lake District in the north of England.

You might not recognise it without the Millennium Falcon coming in to land.

Iceland is a favorite among filmmakers for good reason.

Its volcanic landscape is evocative of other planets.

These are the Krafla lava fields, where eggy-smelling smoke billows from the ground.

You have to be careful where you tread so as not to melt your shoes.

Puzzlewood in the UK is where Rey and Kylo-Ren first cross paths.

This ancient forest feels like it's from a fairytale.

Puzzlewood is situated in the Forest of Dean in the south-west of England, near the border with Wales.

Keep clicking through for more location photos or check out our Star Wars at 40 collection.