TARDIS, sonic screwdriver, the Wicked Wolf—for Doctor Who fans, these words mean a lot. The story of a brilliant alien with two hearts who repeatedly saves Earth from apocalypse has won the hearts of millions of fans. It is the longest-running science fiction series in the world. It has been broadcast on the BBC since 1963.
Over several dozen seasons, virtually all of the well-known and lesser-known towns in the UK have appeared on screen. It was in this country that most of the filming took place. Most often, the actors settled in the capital of Wales, Cardiff, and in London. Incidentally, Cardiff is where the plot of the series Torchwood, a spin-off of Doctor Who, unfolds.
Some iconic locations have appeared in the frame more than once, both as themselves and as completely different geographical points. Let's take a walk through the most recognizable and important ones!
Southend Beach, Wales
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare your handkerchiefs and sedatives—we're starting with the most heartbreaking scene. The scene of Rosa Tyler's farewell to the Doctor in the last episode of season 2, "Doomsday," broke the hearts of seemingly every fan. In the plot, the characters meet in Bad Wolf Bay in Norway. In reality, the filming took place at Southdown Beach in Dunraven Bay.
The steep gray cliffs and large rocks scattered along the shore are easily recognizable at any time of year. The beach itself is popular with tourists. There are several excellent rock pools here. They can be explored at low tide. And the cliffs contain many fossils.
This same location reappeared in episode 13 of season 4, "The End of the Journey," again as the Norwegian fjord. It was also the surface of an alien planet in episodes 4 and 5 of season 5, "Time of Angels" and "Flesh and Stone," and the engine room of the ark ship in episode 2 of season 7, "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship."
St. Paul's Church, Cardiff, Wales
Another episode that brought tears to fans' eyes was "Father's Day" (season 1, episode 8). In it, Rose travels back in time with the Doctor to be with her father at the moment of his death. All the events unfolded on the grounds of a church and on the street next to it.
The entire series was filmed in Cardiff. The main action took place in St. Paul's Church. The first stone of the building's foundation was laid in 1889. On February 5, 1890, the church opened to visitors. Now part of the church belongs to a housing association. The other part is undergoing renovation, but its appearance is still easily recognizable.
Treuen Manor in Digenstone, Wales, and Craig-i-Nos Castle in Swansea Valley, Wales
In episode 2 of season 2 of "Fang and Claw," the Doctor and Rose accidentally (he got the date wrong while operating the time machine, it happens!) find themselves in Scotland in 1879. They meet Queen Victoria. Then they stay overnight at Torchwood Manor (yes, yes, it's no coincidence). And then everything continues in the best traditions of the series — mysteries of the past, evil aliens, and a brilliant rescue plan.
Several different buildings were used as the estate. The exterior shots were filmed at Craig-i-Nos Castle in the Swansea Valley, built between 1841 and 1843. It is a Scottish-style country house in a park area on the banks of the River Tave at the edge of Black Mountain. It is now a hotel.
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The interior shots were filmed at Treuen Manor. This early 17th-century building is located in open countryside about 1 km from the village of Dingestow. For three centuries, it was used as a farmhouse. Now it hosts various cultural events.
The Globe Theatre, London
It wasn't just with Rose Tyler that the Doctor found himself in amazing places. His next companion, Martha Jones, was lucky enough to find herself in London in 1599 in episode 2 of season 3, "The Shakespeare Code," and meet William Shakespeare himself. Traditional villains in the form of aliens pretending to be witches led the heroes to the stage of Britain's most famous theater, the Globe.
The original building, constructed with funds from the acting troupe to which the famous playwright belonged, was destroyed by fire on June 29, 1613. The building was restored in June 1614, but it did not last long either, surviving only until 1642.
Doctor Who was filmed in what was already the third building, recreated based on descriptions and the remains of the foundation found during excavations. The Globe Theatre reopened in 1997 and still hosts performances and exhibitions today.
National History Museum, St Fagans, Cardiff, Wales, and Treberfidd Llangasti Manor, Brecon, Wales
A real test for Martha Jones was her journey to 1913. It happened in episodes 8 and 9 of season 3, "Human Nature" and "Family of Blood." In the plot, the Doctor sealed his essence and memories in a clock. Because of this, he temporarily became an ordinary man named John Smith. He worked as a teacher at a private boarding school, and Martha worked as a maid there.
Most of the episode was filmed at the National History Museum of St Fagins, which opened way back in 1948. Here, typical Welsh houses, shops, and pubs are located in the open air.
The Victorian Gothic mansion Treberfydd Llangasty served as the school itself. It was built between 1847 and 1850 south of Llangors Lake in Brecon Beacons National Park. The building has belonged to the same family since its construction and remains open to visitors today.
St. John the Baptist Church, Cardiff, Wales
In the zero episode of season 3, "The Runaway Bride," another companion of the Doctor appears for the first time—Donna Noble. The girl disappears right in the middle of her wedding and materializes in the TARDIS. After a brief argument, they work together to prevent another attempt by evil aliens to take over Earth.
The night chase scenes were filmed on St Mary's Street in central Cardiff — the metal fence is easily recognizable. St John the Baptist Church was chosen for the wedding scenes. It is the only pre-medieval church (dating back to the 12th century!) in central Cardiff.
Llanstanor Court in Glamorgan Valley, Wales
In episode 7 of season 4, "The Unicorn and the Wasp," Donna and the Doctor find themselves at a typical English tea party in December 1926. There, they meet Agatha Christie on the eve of her mysterious disappearance. Together with the writer, they investigate a complicated crime.
The entire plot of the series unfolds in one mansion and on its grounds. Llanstanor Court in Glamorgan Valley, Wales, was used for filming. The house dates back to the 16th century but has undergone many changes over the following centuries. This rather simple two-story gray stone building fit perfectly into the plot.
Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales
In episode 1 of season 5, "The Eleventh Hour," viewers were introduced to the Doctor's new companion, Amelia Pond. For most of the episode, she runs around her hometown of Lindworth with him. In reality, however, the episode was filmed in Llandaff.
Fans will easily recognize the neat houses with stone fences in the center of the settlement, lawns, and local monuments. The cathedral, over which the aliens' ship hovers in the plot, will attract particular attention. This is Llandaff Cathedral, a magnificent example of British Gothic architecture and one of the oldest Christian sites in the UK. The building was erected in the 12th century and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since then.
Incidentally, it appeared again in the season—in episode 10, "Vincent and the Doctor." There, it appeared as the church in Auvers from Vincent van Gogh's painting.
National Museum Cardiff
This location can rightly be called the record holder for the number of appearances in the series. The halls and corridors of the National Museum Cardiff have appeared with enviable consistency in different seasons. The reason is simple—the endless exhibitions and staircases can easily be passed off as parts of different buildings.
These halls first appeared in episode 6 of season 1, "The Daleks," as a private museum of alien artifacts. In episode 6 of season 3, "The Lazarus Experiment," the hall and staircase of the Cardiff Museum were transformed into part of an eccentric scientist's research center.
Then, in the aforementioned episode 10 of season 5, "Vincent and the Doctor," the art department passed off the Orsay Museum, where Van Gogh's paintings were exhibited, as the Orsay Museum. Little Amelia Pond hid among the stuffed animals in the natural science section. Later, Pandorica opened there in episode 13 of season 5, "The Big Bang." And, of course, the National Museum Cardiff played its most significant role in the special episode after season 7, "The Day of the Doctor."
The National Museum of Cardiff is worth visiting, not only because many episodes of the series were filmed here. The museum houses collections on archaeology, botany, fine and applied arts, geology, and zoology.
Cardiff Bay and Roald Dahl Square
It is impossible not to mention the locations that appeared many times in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. According to the plot, the base of a secret organization was located on Mermaid Embankment. It is very difficult to walk past this place — now there is a memorial plaque in memory of Yanto Jones, the hero of the series. He died during a confrontation with aliens. Numerous fans regularly leave notes and messages next to it.
But the secret entrance to Torchwood was hidden elsewhere—on Roald Dahl Square, under the Water Tower fountain. This same square also appeared in Doctor Who. In episode 11 of season 1, "The City Boom," the TARDIS lands there with Rose Tyler, Captain Jack Harkness, and the Doctor. The Doctor and Martha Jones also arrive here in episode 11 of season 3, "Utopia." Then they return again with Captain Jack Harkness in episode 13 of season 3, "The Last Time Lord."
Doctor Who is more than just a TV series. Behind these two words lie incredible stories and vivid emotions. And as you follow in the footsteps of this brilliant alien, you will discover the most interesting and picturesque corners of Wales and beyond.
