Doctor Who in Somerset
‘Adventures in Time and Space: 60 Years of Doctor Who Art’ is exhibiting at The Museum of Somerset between 15 June and 5 October 2024, and to celebrate we’ve rounded up some of Somerset’s starring roles in the show.
With thanks to National Trust, Doctorwholocations.net, Visit Bristol, Wookey Hole Caves and tardis.fandom.com.
Wookey Hole Caves, Revenge of the Cybermen (1975) and The End of Time (2009)
The Wookey Hole Caves doubled for the gold mines of Voga, a fictional planet. The caves were used again in 2009 by the BBC Wales team, for The End of Time Part One with David Tennant. This time the Caves were used as the Council of the Ood’s chamber.
Frome Quarries, Time and the Rani (1987)
Cloford, Westdown and Whatley Quarries of the Mendip Hills were used as a filming location for Time and the Rani, first broadcast in 1987. Specifically Cloford Quarry can be seen in shots of the exterior of Rani’s base, and Westdown Quarry was used as the location where the TARDIS lands.
Wells Cathedral, The Lazarus Experiment (2006)
The interior of Wells Cathedral is used for Southwark Cathedral in this episode as the Doctor (David Tennant) and Martha search for Lazarus. The rows of pews, the gothic arches and the powerful organ all feature in this Doctor Who episode.
Tyntesfield National Trust, Hide (2013)
Hide tells the story of the eleventh Doctor Matt Smith and a soul trapped in another dimension. The regal and gothic architecture of the building perfectly lends itself to an episode about hauntings and secret séances. The episode shows the distinctive staircase and ornate fireplace of the central hall of Tyntesfield.
Bristol, The Church on Ruby Road (2023) and The Giggle (2022)
Both episodes film huge action sequences in Bristol’s Old City. Specifically featuring Clare Street, Broad Street and Clifton village where road signs were replaced with prop London street signs, business premises were redressed and a London double decker bus and black cab were brought in.
Other Somerset References:
The Reign of Terror (1964). A small mention, but Barbara, the first Doctor’s companion, once took a holiday in Somerset. We’re sure she had a marvellous time.
The Ribos Operation (1978). While on Planet Ribos Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor, identified a regional accent assumed by Garron (an Earth con artist) as a Somerset accent.
The Highest Science (1993, Fiction novel). The Seventh Doctor once stated that he had spent two weeks in Taunton, and that he’d never been so bored. Well, he probably didn’t visit the Museum of Somerset.
Wolfsbane (2003, Fiction novel). Makes a reference to the flowers and trees that were once in full bloom in winter in Somerset.
Another Life (2007, A BBC Torchwood novel). The Bristol Channel flooded in 1607. Thousands died, houses and villages were swept away, livestock got destroyed and farmland was inundated. The surrounding region was set back for more than a century. Later theories would suggest that this was caused by a tsunami.
The Blood Cell (2014, fiction novel). The Twelfth Doctor described the Prison’s TransNet link as “slower than sending a text message in Somerset”. Alas the pitfalls of being in a beautiful, rural area.
