Doctor Who and Cinematic Cardiff: Self Guided Walking Tour
Description
Explore Cardiff’s famous filming locations on this self-guided walking tour. You’ll see several iconic locations from Doctor Who, Torchwood, The Sarah-Jane Adventures, and a few more surprising television productions. Our tour starts at the iconic Cardiff Castle, where you’ll find out about its versatility as a TV location. You’ll walk around the new Canal Quarter and hear about directors, CGI enhancements, and a few film shoot stories. I’ll also share some of Cardiff’s war-time tales, medieval history, and how it grew from a small town to a massive coal-exporting city. Our tour ends at Cambrian Tap, a popular pub used in the BBC’s Sherlock, where you’ll have the option to sample local food and drink.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Marvel at the stunning Cardiff Castle, a historic fortress that has transformed into everything from an alien spaceship to a medieval stronghold in numerous TV shows. Explore its rich history as you wander through its impressive halls and towers.
Immerse yourself in the dramatic atmosphere of this imposing building, which has been used in numerous productions, including Doctor Who and Sherlock. Its grand architecture provides an impressive setting for courtroom dramas and tense scenes
Admire the grandeur of Cardiff City Hall, a striking example of Edwardian Baroque architecture. Learn about its role in TV series like Doctor Who as you stroll through its opulent interiors and stately grounds.
Admire the University’s historic buildings and leafy campus, which have appeared in many scenes requiring an academic setting. Including the Bute Building with it's distinctive architecture that has made it a prime location for filming, particularly for scenes set in academic or institutional environments.
Step inside the Temple of Peace, an Art Deco masterpiece that has doubled as various governmental and futuristic settings in Doctor Who. Reflect on its historical significance as a monument to peace.
Relax in the serene Alexandra Gardens, where tranquil pathways and beautiful landscapes have been featured in numerous TV scenes. Take in the peaceful surroundings as you learn about Cardiff's connections to the small screen.
Discover the treasures within the National Museum Cardiff, where art, archaeology, and natural history converge. Enjoy the museum’s stunning architecture, often featured as a backdrop in Doctor Who and other dramas.
Wander through the ancient St John The Baptist City Parish Church, one of Cardiff’s oldest buildings. Marvel at its Gothic architecture and experience the quiet reverence of this historic site.
Explore the newly developed Canal Quarter, where modern design meets historical remnants. Learn about the area’s transformation and its role in Cardiff’s evolving landscape.
Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Cardiff Market, a bustling Victorian hub where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of local life. Imagine the everyday scenes that have been filmed here, capturing the essence of Cardiff.
Stroll through the charming Castle Arcade, a Victorian shopping arcade filled with independent shops and cafes. Savor the unique architecture and cozy atmosphere, perfect for scenes of intimate character interactions.
Conclude your tour at Cambrian Tap, a popular Cardiff pub featured in Sherlock. Enjoy a pint and some local fare as you reminisce about your journey through Cardiff’s rich television history.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(13)
The audio was often inaccurate and pretty surface level. The gps mechanics are cool and its a nice way to explore the city but its more of a £5 value.
Lots of fun! I was able to see the sites of Cardiff while getting some extra info about Doctor Who and Sherlock. This tour guides you on a nice walk from Cardiff castle around the main touristy areas, and makes it easy to pause in case you want to take more time to explore certain sites. I highly recommend taking some time to visit the museum! I spent a whole day walking through the city and had a great time. I'd highly recommend purchasing this tour, it was definitely worth it!
Very good tour including cool doctor who locations and to see a side of Cardiff we wouldn't normally see.
This is perfect. Exactly what I was looking for. I’m only sorry I did it last and was rushed. Should have started with this. I love that it plays based on your location. So it is perfectly timed, tells you if you’re off track, gives very specific directions and lots of insight, telling you just what episodes it was in, even the scenes. If you’re a Doctor Who fan, you’ll enjoy recognizing some memorable scenes. Worth every pence of it.
This tour was so good we did the Cardiff Bay one the next day. My teenage daughter is a massive Doctor Who and Torchwood but suffers with social anxiety so this was perfect. We shared a set of ear pods and navigated with ease at our own pace. Sarah’s directions were first class and my daughter was constantly amazed at her ability to time the location descriptions with where we were 😂 Moreover she could indulge in her fandom without draining her social battery too much! I’m not sure we will be able to visit a new town or city without downloading a walking tour now!
This was the highlight of my trip to Cardiff. Sarah is so knowledgeable when it comes to filming locations and Cardiff city center history, and the VoiceMap app itself was so helpful! My family loved being able to start and stop whenever we wanted, I took plenty of pictures of sights that I recognized from Doctor Who and other tv shows, and Sarah even took care to mention if steps were involved (mobility access) and where we should be more careful crossing the road. I'm also glad I was able to re-listen to the tour and read its accompanying transcripts after our walk so I could keep a record of what I saw.
Very insightful and factual. Would defiantly recommend to anyone looking to do something interesting to do who is a fan of Doctor Who. Self guided so you dont have to be with other people or groups. Only thing i would say is bring a portable charger just in case as i liked to have the maps out knowing exactly where to continue walking (even though she is guiding you audibly)
I'm not a massive Dr Who fan. Just wanted a tour of Cardiff city, because I enjoyed the previous audio tours. I was not disappointed. There is enough information to take you around some beautiful parts of Cardiff city, and I'm sure die hard fans will enjoy the information provided.
This was a great tour! I went on a sunny day and just popped my earphones in and walked everywhere! I loved that the app picked up your location so you didn’t have to have your phone out all the time. The audio tour was clear and informative. Really enjoyed :)
This was a unique way to explore Cardiff and see much of what the city has to offer. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I think my favourite part was finding the cyberman.
