Doctor Who And Torchwood Filming Locations And Tours

Location 01

Roald Dahl Plass

Wales, Cardiff Free to see

Filmed here: Torchwood Hub entrance and TARDIS landing/re-fuelling site in multiple episodes including 'Rose' and Torchwood series

The plaza at the heart of Cardiff Bay is the single most important site for fans. It served as the entrance to the Torchwood Hub, with the lift beneath the water tower, and appeared as a TARDIS landing and refuelling point across multiple episodes, including 'Rose' and the Torchwood series, thanks to the space-time rift storyline. Today it is a public plaza, free to visit at any time, and the focal point of most Doctor Who walking tours of the Bay.

Location 02

Wales Millennium Centre

Wales, Cardiff Ticketed

Filmed here: Cat hospital in 'New Earth', time-streamed hospital in 'The Girl Who Waited', and other interiors/exteriors

The striking performing arts venue beside Roald Dahl Plass stood in as a hospital more than once. Its interiors and exteriors became the cat nurses' hospital in 'New Earth' and the time-streamed clinic in 'The Girl Who Waited'. The building hosts shows year round, so visitors can book a performance, though simply admiring the exterior from the plaza costs nothing and pairs naturally with a Bay walking tour.

Location 03

National Museum Cardiff

Wales, Cardiff Free to see

Filmed here: Van Statten's alien exhibit in 'Dalek', Lazarus Labs in 'The Lazarus Experiment', Musée d'Orsay in 'Vincent and the Doctor',...

This free entry museum in the civic centre has appeared in more than a dozen episodes. It played Van Statten's alien collection in 'Dalek', Lazarus Labs in 'The Lazarus Experiment', and the Musée d'Orsay in 'Vincent and the Doctor'. Visitors can wander the same galleries seen on screen. Some sources note the museum closes on Mondays, so check opening days before planning a visit.

Location 04

Cardiff Castle

Wales, Cardiff Ticketed

Filmed here: Victorian backdrop in 'The Snowmen', various Torchwood scenes including rift in 'Exit Wounds'

The Norman castle in the city centre provided a Victorian backdrop for 'The Snowmen' and appeared in several Torchwood scenes, including rift events in 'Exit Wounds'. It is a working heritage attraction with paid admission and its own guided tours of the keep, apartments, and grounds. Film fans can combine the location spotting with a proper castle visit, making it one of the more substantial stops in the city.

Location 05

St Fagans National Museum of History

Wales, Cardiff Free to see

Filmed here: Farringham village in 'Human Nature' and 'The Family of Blood'

This open-air museum west of the city centre supplied the 1913 Farringham village in 'Human Nature' and 'The Family of Blood', with the historic buildings requiring minimal alteration for the period story. Entry is free, and the site collects historic Welsh buildings moved and rebuilt on the grounds. It is a short bus ride from the centre and rewards a half day rather than a quick stop.

Location 06

Principality Stadium

Wales, Cardiff Ticketed

Filmed here: Dalek scenes in 'Dalek' episode; car park as Stormcage

Cardiff's main sports stadium appeared in 'Dalek', with its spaces used for Dalek scenes, and its car park doubled as the Stormcage containment facility. Stadium tours are available on event-free days, and the venue also hosts rugby internationals. It sits right beside Cardiff Castle, so visitors can cover both locations in one short walk through the city centre.

Location 07

Senedd

Wales, Cardiff Free to see

Filmed here: Lazarus Experiment scenes

The Welsh Parliament building, a short stroll from Roald Dahl Plass, hosted scenes from 'The Lazarus Experiment'. Admission is free, and visitors can look around the modern debating chamber while ticking off another Cardiff Bay location. Its position next to the Bay's other filming sites makes it an easy add-on on any self-guided or guided walk around the waterfront.

Location 08

Tredegar House

Wales, Newport Ticketed

Filmed here: Various episodes including school and mansion scenes

This historic mansion in Newport, east of Cardiff, appeared in various episodes of both Doctor Who and Torchwood, including school and mansion scenes. The house and gardens are open to the public with ticketed admission and are managed as a heritage property. Because Newport sits outside Cardiff, the house suits visitors with a car or those on a private day tour covering South Wales more widely.