Top 5 Doctor Who filming locations in Wales

At Discover Britain we’re big fans of Doctor Who so to celebrate the hit TV show we’ve chartered a TARDIS to explore some of the fabulous filming locations across Wales that have played host to the Time Lord across several series.

The Glasshouse, National Botanic Garden of Wales. © Crown copyright (2011) Visit Wales, all rights reserved

The Glasshouse, National Botanic Garden of Wales

This colossal structure is the largest single-span glasshouse in the world. Filled with tropical plant life from across the globe, including Australia, South America, Chile and the Mediterranean, the glasshouse was re-imagined as a giant bio-dome on Mars for ‘The Waters of Mars’ episode of Doctor Who set in the year 2059. www.gardenofwales.org.uk

View of the Orangery at Powis Castle. ©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Powis Castle

The 1981 Doctor Who episode ‘Warriors’ Gate’ saw Tom Baker against the backdrop of the world-famous terraced gardens of Powis Castle. Inspired by Italian and French styles, the ornate gardens offer superb views of the surrounding countryside and are filled with sweet-scented flowers, fantastical topiary and dancing statues, Meanwhile, the imposing outline of Powis Castle overlooks the garden from its hill top position. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle

The south front of Dyffryn House. ©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Dyffryn Gardens

Vale of Glamorgan

Regular viewers of Doctor Who might have spotted the National Trust’s Dyffryn estate crop up in a few episodes between 2006 and 2008, including ‘Tooth and Claw’ and ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ where the extensive Grade I-listed gardens doubled as the Gardens of Versailles in 18th century France. Dyffryn house was later featured in the 2008 episode ‘Forest of the Dead’ where it became the CAL hospital. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens

Caerphilly Castle. © Crown copyright (2006) Visit Wales

Caerphilly Castle

No stranger to the limelight, this dramatic fortress has appeared in the BBC’s popular Merlin series as well as the 2009 Doctor Who episode ‘The End of Time’ when the castle’s interiors were used as the dungeon of Broadfell Prison where the Master’s resurrection took place. The castle’s construction began in the 13th century and it would go on to become one of the largest medieval fortresses in Britain. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Tredegar House. ©National Trust Images/James Dobson

Tredegar House

When visiting this grand 17th-century mansion, a small clue to the vast amount of Doctor Who episodes filmed here can be seen in the stables where a full-size Darlek can be found! Episodes, including ‘The Christmas Invasion’, ‘New Earth’ and ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’ were filmed at the property which has doubled as the Torchwood Estate, Farringham School and the Palace of Versailles within the series. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house