Castell Coch - Nightmare In Silver, The Vampires of Venice and Journey's End

 A few weeks ago off I went to Cardiff for some holiday shopping. I had been wanting to head back down to the Welsh capital for a few months in order to visit a recent Doctor Who location which I pass on the way, used in the Series 7 episode Nightmare In Silver. The location was Castell Coch, and I had spotted it from the road in the past and often wondered whether it had been used in the series. After searching the internet and using http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/castellcoch I discovered it had been used in Journey's End and The Vampires of Venice, but because of its little use within these episodes, it hadn't really been sufficient enough to be used as an excuse to head there up until this point.

 Luckily, the Series 7 Part 2 episode Nightmare in Silver delivered the perfect excuse, and the boyfriend begrudgingly agreed to head there alongside me. The castle was easy to find, even with my poor driving/navigating skills. The sat-nav postcode we used was CF15 7JS, but once near the site you can just follow the brown signs. The castle is located at the top of a steep road, parking is free but the entry fee is £4.50 (Adult), £3.50 (Student, Senior Citizens & Children) and £13.50 (Family). More details on the castle can be found here: http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/castell-coch/?lang=en 

Make sure you have a camera to hand as the castle is very picturesque, I can see why it has been used for television purposes. Anyway, in this instance the castle doubles up as Natty Longshoe's Comical Castle, an attraction within Hedgewick's World of Wonders, the biggest and best amusement park ever, where Clara uses her resources and troops in defence against the Cybermen. All the shots seen from outside the castle and within the courtyard are from Castell Coch, but from previous experience, the shots of The Doctor playing chess are from Caerphilly Castle, which I visited HERE. Be aware that this post is picture - heavy. All screen shots are sourced from the BBC.

 By reading this, I'm guessing you have either a) managed to go through all of the photos, or b) scrolled straight through them without a second glance. Either way, thanks for stopping here for a quick breather as I can now tell you that the following interior shots were from the same episode, Nightmare in Silver, but the scenes were actually filmed at a separate location, a few miles down the road at Caerphilly Castle, where I visited last year. 

 Back to Castell Coch, as previously mentioned, the Series 5 episode entitled The Vampires of Venice also used the area as a backdrop for the scene during which Rory and The Doctor are searching to find Amy. However, they soon find themselves surrounded by the mysterious vampire creatures.

 And finally, the following interior shots from Castell Coch are recognisable in the Series 4 two-parter finale entitled Journey's End, when Martha Jones flees to a castle in Germany to enter a secret UNIT bunker. 

And here's the next time trailer for Nightmare in Silver to remind you of the plot - 

Well done for trawling through to the end of this post, I understand it was VERY photo-heavy, but I thought the castle scenery was too picturesque to miss out on. I should also point out that because of its location high upon a hill, if you peer through the right castle window on a sunny, clear day, there are views right across Cardiff to the city centre. It really is a fairy tale castle, I'd love to get married in a location like this one day!

 All in all I really recommend giving Castell Coch a visit. It's not off the beaten track and about 10-15 minutes from Cardiff's city centre. It's easy to navigate to and relatively cheap to enter. There is also a cafe located inside the castle walls, where you can grab a cuppa and a bite to eat if you're feeling peckish. Everyone was very friendly and even though we visited during midday, the castle was virtually empty so we could really take in our surroundings. 

Since I last wrote I have completed my few days at my local BBC station, been awarded a 2:1 classification in my degree and I managed to finally get my hands on two tickets to the Doctor Who Proms, so I'm pretty darn happy right now :-)

 As always, thanks for reading. Any queries go to my Contact page or drop me a line via Twitter @PluckyKelly

Thanks! 

✰

Jenna Louise Coleman at Collectormania 19

 I ordered my Jenna Louise Coleman photo tickets the day they went out on sale around Christmas time, and had been counting down the days ever since. In my opinion, she completely stole the show in Doctor Who Series 7 Asylum of the Daleks with her unannounced, unexpected appearance. From here, we didn't see her until the much anticipated Christmas 2012 episode, where she once again proved her likeability as a companion, and her ability to warm to the most passionate, long serving fans. The mystery surrounding her character was eventually solved in the Series 7 finale, but I won't spoil the surprise just in-case you haven't got round to watching it yet!

 I decided to attend Collectormania 19 in Milton Keynes purely based on the announcement of Jenna as the Saturday headlining guest. I travelled down with my boyfriend, and after many a traffic jam arrived safely on the Friday evening. From here, we headed to bed for an early night as we set our alarms for bright and early the next morning. Up at 6.30am on the Saturday and finally leaving our hotel at around 8am, we arrived at the stadium 5-10mins later. Jenna's queue for autographs was already huge, and it was a long wait in the chilly weather until the doors opened at 9. Once in, we received our virtual queue ticket and were told to come back to meet Jenna later because of our huge queue number. 

 Me and Luke walked around the stadium a few times, taking in the sights, people, and merchandise available. Finally we were able to join Jenna's queue, pick a photo to get signed and paid £35 for the autograph. Jenna was lovely, and when I finally reached the front of the queue, she looked up and asked how I was, to which I replied that I was good, and repeated the same question back to her. I then asked how her first convention was going. She hesitated here, seemingly nervous and replied how she wasn't expecting so many people to arrive dressed up as her. I sympathised, stating how it was one of my first conventions and how I was still getting used to the whole process. (This would have been awkward if I had Clara cosplayed). She then told me to take care and I thanked her for her time. I really wasn't expecting a mini chat, and had not come prepared with anything to say so I was pleased with how I handled the whole situation, as I would usually shy away. Luke managed to take a few excellent pictures whilst we talked, which I am extremely thankful for, and I took some whilst I was in the queue. See below:

 Next, it was off to the photo shoot. We didn't have to wait long and when we arrived at the room we were able to go in with the first group because our ticket number was within the first 200. Jenna looked tiny stood up in front of the camera, and understandably nervous as there were crowds of people either side of her waiting for a photo. When it was my turn she moved across the room slightly so the camera could produce a better angle, much to my amusement as we sideways stepped along the floor together in a pose. I am really happy with the finished photo, I had been worried about it for weeks! It was £30 after all, so I wanted it to be near perfect! Dad paid me a huge compliment when I returned home by stating that me and Jenna could be sisters - I wish! 

 Overall, although I left around midday, I was very pleased how the morning panned out. We had no long gaps of waiting around, and our time there moved pretty swiftly. I am pleased the event was free to get in, plus free parking - especially when the prices of guests are taken into consideration!! I would definitely go again, as long as the guest list was good. Well done everyone from the team who ensured everything ran nice and smoothly! More information on this event can be found out here: http://www.collectormania.com/miltonkeynes/

 I am off on holiday over the next few days. I still have a post to write about my recent Doctor Who location visit. If I don't get round to posting it within the next day or so, I will upload it when I return from my travels.

 In the meantime, feel free to check out my twitter for updates: @pluckykelly

Thanks for reading

✰

'Fathers Day' Locations - The Long-Awaited Third Instalment

 Long time no post! It's been two long months full of assignments, presentations and dissertation work since I last wrote, but I'm finally back, after finally completing my University course :-) Now all that's left is to await my results, which happen to coincide with the day I start my work placement... uh-oh! Anyway, hope you're all enjoying Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 so far... I really can't wait until Saturdays finale 'The Name of the Doctor', where we will finally discover the identity of Clara. 

 

 It would be relevant to add that since I last wrote, I, like many others, tried vigorously for hours on Saturday morning to apply for the Doctor Who Proms tickets at the Royal Albert Hall. I had two laptops up and running and a phone permanently set to redial. Unfortunately, like my peers, the site crashed and telephone lines were a no-go as they remained engaged, which led to lots of fans missing out on the last few tickets with only minutes to spare. I am incredibly disappointed as I am extremely passionate about the music of Doctor Who. I have all the soundtrack CD's and whenever I listen to them, they transport me away into my own little world. I suppose I should add that if anyone becomes aware of a pair of tickets which are released following this post, please do not hesitate to let me know as I am desperate to get my hands on some! 

 Anyway, back to the subject of this post, I am following on from the trip to Cardiff I made back in February. This is the third and final instalment to my visit and includes the location of the church used in the Series one Doctor Who episode and adventure by the Ninth Doctor, Father's Day.

 After a brief stop at my favourite restaurant Frankie and Benny's (YUM! - my mouth is watering from just thinking about it!), it was on to the days location. Eventually, we found our way to The Parish of St Paul's in Grangetown, Cardiff after navigating around one-way streets which can feel pretty tedious at times. (And also very embarrassing when you realise you need to reverse back down a huge stretch of narrow road to allow for an oncoming car!) 

More information on the area can be found here:- http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/parishofstpauls

Bride chased by deadly Reaper
Source: BBC Doctor Who 

 There is parking located in the streets surrounding the church, and it's pretty hard to miss as it towers above the small terraced houses. We didn't actually go inside as the gates were locked, but we took some photos of the outside areas, including the road directly outside the church which is used as the spot where Pete Tyler faces his final moments as he runs in front of the oncoming vehicle. 

If you were to walk from out of the front church doors, the location where Pete is killed and the TARDIS is parked is located to the left, where the corner of road bends around the edge of the church grounds, just outside the row of shops. The area looks almost completely the same as it did back in 2005 when the episode was shot, so it is definitely worth popping along to see the location. It's about a 5 minute drive from Cardiff Bay and completely free if you are able to park in the street like myself. Definitely recommended for location hunters!

 I personally really wanted to visit this location as it's the first Doctor Who episode me and mum physically sat down and watched together. We both shed a tear with what we had viewed on-screen, as it told the emotional story of how Rose Tyler witnesses the last moments of her Father's life back in 1987, but in doing so, prevents this event from ever happening. This results in the unleashing of deadly reapers who destroy everything in their wake, as history begins to change dramatically around them. This all predominately occurs during a wedding of which the Tyler family are all in attendance. The only way balance can be restored is in the form of Pete Tyler facing his inevitable end. 

More information on the episode can be found here:- http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Father's_Day_(TV_story)

 This episode also reveals a vital moment which occurred during Rose Tyler's life before The Doctor, which helps to construct her background story, which is then built upon in the series to follow. 

 Sorry this post has been a long-time coming! I hope you're all enjoying this lovely (not-so) summer weather! It's been terrible here, but no fear as I am off on my summer holidays in the coming weeks! I can't wait, it's a much deserved break until I am thrown into the big bad world when I return after finishing university. I have lots planned, and I will be sure to keep you up to date as I am very excited. Oh, but before all of that of course, I am off to the Collectormania event next week to meet Jenna Louise Coleman. Let me know if you're going to, and I shall report back on how my day went soon after :-)

Many thanks for reading, blog to you soon :-) 

★

Definitely Not Blinking at Wester Drumlins

 Next on my Doctor Who location list was a spot from another one of my all-time favourite Doctor Who episodes.

 'Blink', is a Series 3 adventure by the tenth doctor. It stars the brilliant actress Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow who, whilst looking for subjects to photograph, climbs into the derelict Wester Drumlins house. But she's not alone, as this episode sees her encounter the weeping angels. Reminder BBC Trailer here.

 A wrong turn off the motorway later and we finally found 'Fields House' (how its really known - In my opinion, I think the owners should consider changing it to the fictional name) on the side of a quiet housing area in Newport. I have to admit, from watching the episode I was led to believe that the house was located off the beaten track in the middle of the countryside, abandoned because of its traditional architecture. Therefore I was surprised whilst driving past (and admiring) all the lovely modern houses in the area to be suddenly startled by the huge gothic gates. I then hastily turned to my partner who had a clearer view from the passenger seat and asked 'was that Wester Drumlins?' To which he replied 'I don't think so, no'. Clearly he needs be more observant, as it is hard to miss! I've included some of my snapshots below:-

Bottom IMG: BBC Doctor Who Confidential

*Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast. Faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink. Good Luck.* 

 Parking outside the house means parking on quite a steep hill, please remember to put your handbrake on. The shots we took weren't the best because of the position of the sun, *damn you sun* and as you can see, the ray of light managed to creep into every picture! The front of house was full of building tools and material, we could hear the construction work going on round of the side of the house, therefore no matter how much I would have loved to have gone in and had a few pictures inside the house, no one would have heard us at the gate anyway. 
 
  Fields House was also used for interior shots of the 2012 Christmas Special, The Snowmen. If anyone knows which scenes these were for, I'd be generally intrigued to know :-) 

 If I am completely honest, the property has a very eerie feel to it, or maybe thats just because I'm a Doctor Who geek. I was half expecting a stone statue to appear in one of the windows...

The Doctor Who Locations Website has lots more photos and information about this spot, including shots from the interior which were used in Blink along with filming reports from the christmas special, including photos captured here of new companion Jenna Louise Coleman:- http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/fieldshouse

 From here, we drove off round the back of the property, where we found a over-grown lane fronted by a makeshift gate, so we decided to leave. 

 Me and the partner decided to end the night with cocktails at our favourite pub in Cardiff Bay which boasts TARDIS doors, and then on to the infamous Eddies Diner (where my partner took a creative photo using a screenshot from The Impossible Astronaut - see below).

 My third and final part to my Cardiff weekender will include the location from Series 1 'Fathers Day'. Hope you have had a great weekend, not long until Series 7 Part 2. And now we can all officially state 'Doctor Who is on this month'! To keep up on all the latest Doctor Who news follow @bbcdoctorwho or check out the website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho

Many thanks for reading, blog to you soon :-) 

★

A visit to Graystark Hall Orphanage

 Valentines weekend had been planned months in advance with a cheap and cheerful £12 hotel sale. However, the whole stay was pretty much weather-dependent and after the amount of snow, wind and rain the UK had been getting over the previous weeks, we really weren't sure whether we would ever make it down to Cardiff. 

 Thankfully, Saturday arrived alongside the sun beaming high in the sky so off I drove with Luke down to Wales, location stops in hand. 

Bottom Image: Courtesy of BBC

 Our first location was Troy House, Monmouth. We by-pass the town on the way to Cardiff so how we have missed the stop in the past is beyond belief. A cheeky 5 minute detour off the beaten-track later we arrived. 

Bottom Image: Courtesy of BBC

 Cast your minds back to Doctor Who Series 6, and the second of the two-parter Day of the Moon. Canton Delaware and Amy Pond head off to the children's orphanage in search for a missing girl. Here, Amy is later taken by the Silents once she finds the little girls room.  

 I would recommend that those who wish to stop at this location in the future take extra care, unless you have a flashy 4x4 car or are prepared to walk from the main road. My baby Clio unfortunately got battered and bruised through the dirt track leading to the mansion, which is surrounded by farmland and a fully operational working farm. Therefore, the route was full of potholes, pools of water and all sorts of gravel, stones and mud. My bad. I don't think I will be venturing along there again! 

 Anyway, following me totally mastering the slightly off-road driving experience we finally reached the gothic gates, hopped out of the car and landed right into the horrifying squelch of... mud - A lot of it -And in my best shoes. Yes, a top tip if you fancy heading to the spot: PACK THOSE WELLIES! A quick jump out of the car and a few snapshots later then amounted to two dogs hurtling towards the gates from the inside barking like crazy. I suppose it made a change from the eerie silence. We did consider ringing the bell and asking if we could have access to the inside of the grounds for some pictures, but the dogs really startled us so we headed off. 

Note - the amount of mud covering the ground behind me!

 We stopped at two further Doctor Who locations during our little weekend getaway. The next was Fields House from Blink and the final spot, a filming location from Fathers Day. I will try my best to put together posts on both of these as soon as possible! In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful week and are starting to get over them horrid Monday Blues!

If you fancy heading to Troy House, Monmouth:

• Drive carefully and watch out for uneven surfaces/potholes which could seriously damage your car.
• Park close to the main road and walk down to the house (takes approx 5-10 minutes).
• Wear wellies/boots.
• Be aware of the guard dogs. 

Note: The Clio is now all well and good, and since our trip has been cleaned inside and out. Sustained minor scratches to the front of the car - it was all worth it!

To find more about this historic building, you can head to the wikipedia site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_House  *slaps her University Higher-Educated wrists*

With thanks to http://www.doctorwholocations.net/  :-)

Thanks for reading

★