Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
For years, a big blue box has been invading my dreams, filling my closet and improving my Saturday nights. So it only made sense that seeing a “real” TARDIS was on my travel to do list last year when I made my way to Cardiff, Wales for the Doctor Who Experience. I said then that it was glorious, because it was. But I wanted to expound on that a little for people who are considering spending a ton of cash going there OR who may never have the chance to see it for one reason or another.
Big Blue Box isn’t just a silly name the show’s writers came up with in a moment of whimsy. The TARDIS is quite simply put, a giant blue prop, upon which many a nerd have placed a fantasy or a thousand. Many a drunken night has ended with a wish for a Big Blue Box. And with science fiction, time travel seems to be one of our key tools of choice. Whether Hermione’s Time Turner or Doc’s DeLorean, we nerds have a fondness for controlling time. For me personally, it’s a bit of an obsession. I have said to friends once too often: if it’s about time travel, I don’t care what Rotten Tomatoes says, I’ll watch it. Remember, The Butterfly Effect?
And so the TARDIS holds special meaning to me and seeing it was undoubtedly a fun memory. But the truth is, I didn’t NEED to see it for it to hold such importance to me.
I couldn’t open the door. It wasn’t truly bigger on the inside. I wasn’t going to travel to another space or time. It’s meaning was truly attached to how much I love the sentiment of the show.
This post isn’t mean to discourage you from making the trek to Cardiff if you want to see the real deal. Trust me, it is fun. But I would like to remind us all of something that can become so true when you are a fan of something: you don’t NEED the THING for the THING to be the THING. That can be a very expensive movie prop, or a trip to a set or something as simple as a tee shirt. Sometimes, we celebrate our nerd loves in a way that can be financially costly… and forget the main truth: It’s already in your heart. You just need to tap into it.
http://beinggeekchic.com/post/91302023302/geeky-travel-guide-cardiff-wales-the-doctor-who
The day I became a Whovian is almost as important as the day I became a woman. It was certainly less traumatic. It was also the day when I decided I needed to see that damn space machine in person before I died.
Friends, I saw it. And I touched it. And it’s glorious.
The entire reason Cardiff was even on my travel radar was because of Doctor Who. The show is filmed in the city and the BBC recently opened The Doctor Who Experience as a tourist attraction in the off months when the show isn’t airing. In a strange way, the City of Cardiff is lot like a living set for the show. Wandering through the city you’ll come upon random landmarks that look familiar. Like the building where Donna Noble worked. Or a random house that looks awful familiar. For super astute fans, a day wandering Cardiff can be crazy fruitful.
I loved that the city embraced their status as a Whovian mecca. Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood was also filmed in Cardiff and when the showed killed off the beloved character Iantos, a shrine popped up that has just never gone away. How can you dislike that?
The Doctor Who Experience itself leaves something to be desired unless you are under the age of 12. It’s a lot of flashing lights and smoke machines all wrapped into a storyline that Matt Smith so deftly acts through. However, for me, and I expect for the people who read this blog, the real highlight is just the stuff. The freaking sets and props and icons that make Who, well, Who.
As a filmmaker, I’m just obsessed with props and sets from a technical execution stand point, so I can be made to appreciate virtually anything from the film industry if done well. But in the context of one of my favorite shows, well, I was in heaven of sorts. The team at BBC have expertly curated a collection of Who memorabilia from the beginning to modern times, so there’s something from basically any fan’s favorite era. Unless you loved that 90s TV movie… I am not sure there’s much for you.
This is definitely a two hour to three hour walking tour if you look at everything and truly dive into the details. Others can probably do it in an hour, but I’m guessing that’s not your style if you’re still reading this. It’s pricey. Especially when you consider that what most fans are likely doing is taking a train from London Paddington to Cardiff. It’s a two hour train ride, so don’t try to jam it into one day unless you’re especially time crunched.
After spending your day walking Cardiff, enjoying the waterfrot and taking in all the Whovian love, I recommend staying nearby in the Mermaid Quay area for a little food and old school childhood geekery. Roald Dahl called Cardiff home and the nearby Roald Dahl Pass is surprisingly charming and fun.
Nearby there are a ton of cute restaurants, but group consensus seemed to be that Bayside Brasserie was a clear winner. It’s patio has a lovely view and seems to capture the real charm of Wales. I’m also just going to say right now that I just eat at Pret continuously when I’m in England, Ireland or Wales… so what that says about me… you decide. I freaking love it.
Wales also has a surprisingly fun culture on the weekends. The area is set up for street performers and general outdoor amusement, so if you can stick around for a while, definitely do. You might even catch a glimpse of the Doctor.
Taking a trip sometime soon? Consult our Geek Travel Guides before you go. Maybe we’ve been to your destination!
