Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales - Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who!
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Cardiff, Wales
9 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
All of our guides adore Doctor Who, and some of them have even worked on Doctor Who itself, been interviewed by Doctor Who Magazine, and are considered experts on all things Doctor Who. This tour is your chance not only to see the city of Cardiff and its castles; but also to explore some of the city's history and see some of the places where Doctor Who was filmed with someone who is as passionate about Doctor Who as you are. Even if you are being dragged along as someone's companion, we're certain that by the end of the tour you will love the Welsh capital, and all things Doctor Who.
This day tour is the perfect way to see the city of Cardiff, three of South Wales' most important castles, and the locations where they filmed Doctor Who. Blending expert history with geeky Doctor Who knowledge this tour will keep everyone happy!
Updated as new episodes are released, this tour is the perfect treat for Whovians of all ages and can be customised to suit your needs or length of stay.
What's Included
- Entry To Castell Coch
- Entry to Caerphilly Castle
- Entry To Cardiff Castle
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
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Pickup details
We will pick up clients from any location within Cardiff City Center, or Cardiff Bay including Cardiff Central Station, Cardiff Bus Station, Cardiff Queen Street Station.
What To Expect
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle started life as a Roman Fort, evidence of which is still visible today. Indeed the city of Cardiff gets its name from the old Roman fort, as Cardiff or the Welsh version Caerdydd translates into English as "Fort on the river Taff". Developed by the Normans the castle has seen many changes and was once used as a royal prison. Developed further by various English marcher Lords, the castle fell into ruin in the 16th century. Taken over by the Marquis' of Bute in the 17th Century, it wasn't until the 3rd Marquis that the current version of Cardiff Castle came into being. Described as a victorian escapist dream, it is a stunning location for film and TV crews to use and has been seen countless times in Doctor Who, Torchwood, and The Sarah Jane Adventures.Whilst here your guide will show you around the castle, including its most interesting historical features and the locations used for filming Doctor Who.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Womanby Street
Explore how the same location can be used in two separate Doctor Who episodes, with two very different Doctors. Starting with "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances" we will explore how this non-descript location is transformed into 1940's Blitz London. Then we will discuss how the same location, filmed from a slightly different angle and 'dressed' in a different way could be used as Pete's World from "Rise of the Cybermen/Age of Steel" with not even the most eagle-eyed fans spotting that it was the same place.
Admission Ticket Free
Tiny Rebel Cardiff
The Urban Tap House, owned by the renowned Tiny Rebel brewing company is one of the best pubs in Cardiff. Seen in the background of "Face the Raven" when Rigsy is exploring the streets of London for the alien trap street, at this location you will learn how, and why, Cardiff so often doubles for London in Doctor Who (and several other TV series and films).From outside the Urban Tap House (please let us know if you are over 18 and would like to stop here for a drink as part of the tour) we will be able to see The Principality Stadium, formally the Millenium Stadium, which is home to Welsh Rugby and several episodes of Doctor Who including the series 1 classic Dalek.
Admission Ticket Free
Saint Mary Street
St Mary's Street is seen in the very first episode of 'New' Who "Rose" where James Howell's & Co doubles as Hendrick's department store. Blown up in the very first episode, this well-known departments store in the heart of Cardiff has been used as various Hendrick's department stores including in the episode "Closing Time" where Matt Smith's Doctor finally gets a job!
Admission Ticket Free
Wharton Street
Another trap street from "Face The Raven", this is where Peter Capaldi in a break between filming wandered off into a nearby music store and picked up a guitar.This street is also where some of the funniest scenes from "The Runaway Bride" take place, and where a woman was woken rudely by a Tank! Find out what happened when you take this amazing tour!
Admission Ticket Free
St John The Baptist City Parish Church
St John The Baptist Church in Cardiff is one of the oldest buildings left in the city. Used as a filming location for "The Runaway Bride" starring Catherine Tate and David Tennant, at this location you will hear about how the production team worked with the church so that they could use the church's organ and organist to play the Wedding March, but also why the Doctor Who team will never be allowed back to film here again. Finally, you will have the chance to find a cyberman hidden inside this ancient church.Once outside the church, you will learn how filming for the Christmas special "The Voyage of the Dammed" was almost stopped by drunken students, who managed to miss Kylie Minogue who plays Astrid in the episode, who was hidden in plain sights - maybe she was protected by a perception filter!
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Queen's Arcade
Queen's Arcade is seen in the very first episode of Doctor Who, whilst at this location, you will find out how the Doctor Who team managed to fool everyone into thinking that this shopping centre was in London, and how they worked with the centre management to bring the Auton invasion to life.
Admission Ticket Free
The Friary
The Friary is another location in Cardiff that is supposed to be in London. Seen in "Dark Water"/"Death in Heaven" two-parter in series 8 it is supposed to be close to St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Sadly due to restrictions on filming with firearms in the City of London these sequences had to be filmed in Cardiff. Did the Cybermen and UNIT team cause a scene in Cardiff when they filmed? Find out when we get to this location.
Admission Ticket Free
Cathays Park
Cathay's Park is one of the finest examples of a early 20th Century Civic Centre. The buildings in this part of Cardiff are constructed using the same stone as St Pauls, making it the perfect stand-in for London. Used numerous times in Doctor Who, this is were Danny Pink dies whilst on the Phone to Clara, and where Bill attends St Luke's University.After exploring the Civic Centre, we will head to the National Museum Cardiff.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
National Museum Cardiff
The National Museum Cardiff has been seen in numerous episodes of Doctor Who, Sherlock and other film and TV productions set and filmed in Wales. Home to one of the best collections of Impressionist and Post Impressionist Art in the UK it is worth a visit even before you consider its links to Doctor Who.Whilst at the National Museum, your guide will show you some of the highlights of the collection as well as the spaces used in filming for Doctor Who - including the room where Gallifrey Falls/No More was displayed in the 50th Anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor".Please note that the Museum is closed on Monday's. Tours booked on Monday will be unable to visit the interior of the museum but other locations will be added to the tour by the guide on the day to compensate for this.
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
New Theatre
The new theatre is where sequences for both the Doctor Who episode "The Unquiet Dead" and The Sarah Jane Adventures episode "Secrets of the Stars" were filmed. Sadly we are unable to visit the auditorium of the theatre, but whilst outside the theatre, your guide will explain how The Sarah Jane Adventures came into being, and why they ended so suddenly in 2011.From the New Theatre, we will walk to Cardiff Queen Street Station, where your guide will help you purchase return train tickets to Cardiff Bay where the final section of our tour will take place.
Admission Ticket Free
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay is the modern name for the old Cardiff Docks which at their hight were the largest coal exporting docks in the world. Owned by the Marquis of Bute, the Jeff Bezos of the day, the area was as multicultural then as it is today. Home to the Wales Millenium Centre, Roald Dahl Plas, The Senedd, BBC Wales' Studio and countless Doctor Who filming locations. Whilst 'down the bay' as the locals would say, your guide will show you around one of the most interesting, and beautiful parts of Cardiff, the locations used during the filming of Doctor Who, and its more adult spin-off Torchwood including the internationally famous Ianto's Shrine.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
The Coal Exchange Hotel
The Exchange Hotel is the former Coal Exchange in Cardiff. Famous for being where the first 1 Million Pound deal, was agreed in 1904 the area surrounding it is full of Doctor Who filming locations. Used in episodes such as "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Lie of the Land" to name a few, whilst here your guide will explain how the Doctor Who team manage to film in such a public location without being mobbed by Whovians.
Admission Ticket Free
Portland House
Portland House is the former site of the Cardiff Dock branch of the National Provincial Bank which later became National Westminster Bank. Said to be where the first Million Pound Cheque was cashed, Portland House is seen in the hugely popular Doctor Who episode "Blink" as the Police station where Sally Sparrow reports her friend Kathy Nightingale missing.
Admission Ticket Free
Mermaid Quay
Mermaid Quay has changed dramatically since the filming of Doctor Who started in 2004. Home to Ianto's Shrine and the Torchwood Hub, here you will have a chance to take photos outside the famous shrine and see what people have left here in memory of the fictional torchwood character.
Admission Ticket Free
Senedd
The Senedd is the home to the Welsh Parliament (formally the National Assembly of Wales) and when open we will take a few moments to explore this iconic building. Used as Lazarus Labs in the episode "The Lazarus Experiment" whilst here your guide will explain how the Doctor Who team manage to film in such an important government building, and how Doctor Who is more important than James Bond!
Admission Ticket Free
Wales Millennium Centre
The Wales Millennium Centre is one of the newest and most iconic buildings in Cardiff. Home to several resident arts organisations, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC National Chorus of Wales (both of which regularly provide music for Doctor Who) the Millennium Centre itself, is a major location in several episodes of Doctor Who. Perhaps most notable for its appearance in New Earth, the Wales Millennium Centre has also been seen in "The Sounds of Drums", "The Girl Who Waited" and "Vincent and the Doctor".
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Roald Dahl Plass
Roald Dahl Plass is named after the famous children's author and son of the city of Cardiff. Educated at Llandaff Cathedral School he is just one of the famous Welsh cultural icons whose lives are celebrated throughout the city of Cardiff.Roald Dahl Plass' most iconic feature is the Water Tower, a water fountain built by Nicholas Hare Architects and the sculptor William Pye which many people recognise as one of the entrances to the Torchwood Hub.After exploring Roald Dahl Plass, your guide will suggest nearby places to eat including a fantastic Italian restaurant used in the filing of "Boomtown". This will give you a chance to explore Cardiff Bay, and one of its eateries before continuing on the next part of our tour.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Castell Coch
Castell Coch (or the Red Castle in English) is a unique castle within Wales. Designed by William Burgess for the Marquis of Bute, the Castle and its stunning decorations are not to be missed.Used throughout Doctor Who, most notably as the Osterhagen Station in "Stolen Earth" and as Natty Longshoe's Comical Castle in "Nightmare in Silver" Castell Coch is a great place to take photos, restage scenes from the show, and enjoy the stunning views over the city of Cardiff.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle is used throughout Doctor Who. Its non-descript passageways, towers, and grounds offer the crew the chance to use the same location over and over again! Whilst here your guide will explain how Caerphilly Castle was used in filming, why filming in historic locations can increase visitor numbers, and why in December 2009 the Tardis was parked on top of Caerphilly Castle for everyone to see.Finally, your guide will explain how the filming for "Robots of Sherwood" at the castle caused a local fuss when filming went off with a bang!
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales – Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who!?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-192133P39
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales – Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who!?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Entry To Castell Coch.
- Entry to Caerphilly Castle.
- Entry To Cardiff Castle.
The following is NOT included:
- Gratuities.
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales - Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who! is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales - Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who! will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Entry To Castell Coch
- Entry to Caerphilly Castle
- Entry To Cardiff Castle
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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