TV fanatics in 94 countries regularly tune in to get their latest Doctor Who fix. But for some fans, watching Jodie Whittaker on the small screen isn’t enough, and they want to feel like they’re on the TV with her and her companions. If this sounds like you, then it’s worth loading up your car and heading to Wales for a Doctor Who-themed road trip that you’ll never forget.
Planning your trip around Porthcawl
The key to a memorable Doctor Who road trip is to plan wisely. First of all, you’ll need a reliable car that you trust to get you around the Welsh countryside. Comparing vehicles for reliability and driving experience is therefore recommended. You’ll also need a place to stay during your road trip. All Doctor Who fans should book themselves into Porthcawl’s Seabank Hotel, as it most famously featured in the episode ‘The God Complex.’ Plus, just two miles away is Newton Beach, the beach used in the 2019 New Year’s episode ‘Resolution,’ among others.
Cardiff City
No Doctor Who road trip is complete without a stop at Cardiff. Situated a 50-minute drive away from Porthcawl, Cardiff is arguably the heart of Doctor Who, as so many episodes feature various spots of the city. Your first stop should most definitely be Cardiff Bay, where numerous outdoor shots have been filmed. You’ll also find the Roald Dahl Plass there, which featured heavily in Doctor Who’s spinoff show, Torchwood. It was also used in the 2014 episode, ‘Time Heist,’ where Peter Capaldi’s doctor turned into a bank robber. From there, a drive over to Cardiff Castle is recommended. Not only is the castle stunning, but multiple episodes have been filmed there, including ‘The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People,’ and the 2012 Christmas special, ‘The Snowmen.’
Vale of Glamorgan
Just a 40-minute drive down the road from Cardiff is the Vale of Glamorgan, and there are plenty of famous locations from Doctor Who for you to check out. First on your list should be Dyffryn Gardens. The national trust location was first used for Doctor Who filming in 2005 for the episode, ‘The Girl In The Fireplace.’ Iconic parts of the house and grounds to check out during your stay include the fountain, the Castle Room, and the Paved Court. While you’re in Glamorgan, a visit to Hensol Castle is worthwhile too. The castle is a much-loved wedding venue, and you can even stay overnight in one of their luxury rooms if you don’t fancy the drive back to Porthcawl. But Doctor Who fans will love to know that the castle featured in the episodes ‘The Unicorn & the Wasp,’ ‘Aliens of London,’ ‘World War Three,’ and ‘The Sound of Drums.’
Embarking on a road trip around Wales is a must for any Doctor Who fan, as the country is home to multiple filming locations for the hit TV show. But best of all, they are all located just a short distance from each other, meaning you can hop in and out of your car and visit them all during your stay.
