Places to Visit
United Kingdom
Arthur's Stone, Herefordshire - No phone number available
Avebury, Wiltshire - 01672 539250
Doctor Who Experience, Cardiff - 0844 801 3663
Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station - 01872 325602
King's Quoit, Manobier, Pembrokeshire - No phone number available
Leistershire National space centre - 0116 2610261
Michell's Fold Stone Circle - No phone number available
Pentre Ifan Stone Monument- No phone number available
Stonehenge - 08703331181
The Time Machiene: Doctor Who Museum - www.timemachineuk.com
Torchwood Locations - No phone number available
Penwyllt Caving Club - 01639 730613
United States
Roswell UFO Museum - Roswell, NM - (505)625-9495
Star Trek Experience - No phone number available
Shag Harbor Incident Society Museum - (902)723-0174
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My Reviews
Listed below are my reviews of places I have visited. This includes stone circles and monuments, Sci-fi type exhibitions and space centres. The list will grow as I vsit new places. If you have any suggestions of places to go, please send me a message on the 'contact' page.
Arthurs Stone
Arthurs Stone is located 7 miles East of Hay-on-Wye, near Dorstone and 30 miles from Ross-on-Wye. Its thought to of been created between 3700 and 2700 BC. According to Folklore it marks the spot of where King Arthur did one of his battles. However like all monuments, there are afew different legends about the Burial chamber. One story says that a King or Giant, killed by King Arthur was buried here. Another legend says that this is the burial place of King Arthur himself.
The Stone feature isn't at all big, but it is very interesting to learn about if your interested in Monuments. This is defentally a brillant place to visit. I'd also suggest going to Hay-On-Wye well your in the area. Its a great little village which is famous for its book shops. Your garenteed to find something to interest you - In my case its UFO books :-)
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/arthurs-stone
Phone: No phone number available
Avebury
Avebury is one of my favorite visits so far. Located in Wiltshire, its not to far from Stonehenge. Avebury is a tiny village which is surrounded by a Stone Circle almost a mile around. There are also 2 other Circles inside that. Its extremly quiet and peacful and it is though that some of the Stones give off psycic energy. There is also a tomb / cave like room called 'the Sanctury' about 1 1/2 miles away from the Circle. At the time of my visit, I didn't know anything about a cave, so I never saw this. Theres a small post office / shop in the village which sells rocks, books, DVD's and lots of other torrist gifts. I bought a brilliant book about Crop Circles for £10, aswell as afew other bits and bobs. Theres a nice pub where you can have food and drinks. It also has a small car park. Avebury isn't just famous for it's stone circles. It was the location for 60's TV show 'Children of the stones. This is about a boy and his father who move to Avebury for work purposes. They soon realise theres something odd about the locals who greet each other with 'Happy Day' and some connection to the stones. I bought the DVD boxset out of curiousity (and my mums suggestion) when I came back from Avebury and ended up enjoying the show. Its aimed at young children, but I actually thought it was a little creepy and would aim it at anybody other than young children :-) Avebury is a wonderful place and I defentally plan on going back soon. Hopefully next time i'll get to see the cave.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-avebury
Phone: 01672 539250
*A good unofficial website: www.avebury-web.co.uk *
Doctor Who Exhibition, Cardiff
The Doctor Who Exhibition is held everyday at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff. It has everything from Costumes worn by cast to Daleks. Theres lots of information about the show and about all the different doctors. My favorite costumes were the pin strip suit and the orange suit (see photo's) worn by David Tennant. I also loved the Maid outfit worn by Kylie.
Theres a huge shop filled with everything you can imagine, from posters, pen and cups to models. Its £5 to get into the museum but defentally worth the visit.
*Note: The exhibition is shutting it's doors very soon, so if you want to visit you'll have to be quick.*
Website: www.doctorwhoexhibitions.com
Phone: 02920 489 257
Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station
Goonhilly is very interesting. Its location is in Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, England. When you walk into the building you are Greeted by the Reception desk. Once you have paid you can have the choice of going straight through to the Centre or you can have Lunch first. The centre itself is not very big. But alot of activities have been crammed into it so theres still plenty to do. The first section to visit is 'The Connected Earth Gallery'. This tells you all about the History of Satellite signals and everything concerning telecommunications. The second section is the 'Multimedia visitors centre'. This is where most of the Activities are. You can have your photo taken in the Virtual Image Booth. It gets printed out for you and is also put on the Internet. So when you get home you can type in your password and access it. You can also have a go on the 3D virtual Head maker. This is where your photo is taken and made 3D on a computer screen. You can also send an e-mail to Outer Space. You can send a Fax and see how it all works. Theres so much to do in this section. Back Downstairs again ...... You can watch a small cinema show explaining how Telephone Signal and everything else works. There is also a Free Bus tour. Its about 45 mins long and drives you around the Satellites. You are then taken into a Building where a tour man talks about different things. He tells you the different names of the satellites and what each one does. Then theres another Short film to watch in a 3D affect. Back in the Space Centre ....... Theres an Internet Zone. This is where there are loads of computers which you can use for free to check out anything on the internet. Goonhilly has the fastest Internet Connection speed in the World. You can also make a free phone call to anywhere in the World using the phones in the same section. The Cafe is right next door. Its called the 'Big Dish'. Theres a wide selection of food. The prices are great and it all tastes fantastic. The staff are very helpful and friendly. Finally theres the shop. They sell everything from Cups to T-shirts, Keyrings, Alien Toys, Mousepads, Pens, Chocolate & Sweets, Books, Postcards ............ Everything. Goonhilly may of been a much smaller building than the Lestershire Space Centre, but it was just as enjoyable and a Fun day out. I'll defentally be visiting again soon.
Website: www.goonhilly.bt.com
Phone: 01872 325602
King's Quoit
King's Quoit Burial Chamber can be found in the cliffs overlooking Manobier Bay, Pembrokeshire. Its a small monument consisting of 1 capstone, supported by 2 sidestones. Its thought to of been built around 3000 BC.
King's Quoit is on a lovely spot. The stone looks inland towards Manobier castle and the village. You can look out to the sea for miles. I defentally recomend this place to any Monument fans and anybody else because the scenery is amazing. Make sure you go when its good weather though. You have to follow a small foot path along the cliff which I imagine would get abit muddy and slippery in the rain.
Website: www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=1398
Phone: No phone number available
Leicestershire Space Centre
Theres loads of interesting things to do at Leicestershire Space Centre. You defentally need a Whole day there to view everything. There are lots of amazing planet and Satellite displays to check out all over the Centre and great Wall displays with bits of information. You can check out the dome shaped cinema. It hosts shows every day about Space and Planets with amazing 3d affect. I saw a show called 'BIG'. It discussed the size of the universe. How many lightyears it might take to get to the end of Space and whether life could exist on other planets. The 3D effect was fantastic and made you feel like you really were travelling through space. Theres also chance for you to make your own weather broadcast on a recorded screen. At lunchtime you can eat underneath the Rocket Launchers, in a cute Alien / Space themed cafe. Meals are a reasonable price and theres a good amount of choice of Hot and Cold foods and Drinks. You can also go in the Lift. Its designed to look very 'Space Travel' but is also Practical for Disabled use. Once you've been around the Centre, Why not visit the shop. The shop isn't really all that exciting. Mostly just Keyrings, Cups and Teddys. But all in all it was a brilliant day out. It was well worth the visit and i'd recomend it to any other Space Fan.
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
Phone: 0116 2610261
Mitchells Fold Stone Circle
Mitchells Fold Stone Circle is based on Stapeley Hill, near Chirbury, Shropshire. The circle is very tiny and made up of 15 stones. Theres a legend that a Magic Cow lived on Stapeley Hill who would give milk to locals. Oneday a Greedy Witch milked her untill she was empty. The Cow disappeared and the Witch was turned to Stone. Locals built the circle around her so she'd never escape. While I was at the Stone Circle, I noticed a burned area on the ground, right in the middle of the Stones. It seems as though people still use the circle for Witchcraft today. If you decided to visit, i'd suggest going in the Summer because the ground was very Swampy. I went in November, it was raining, windy and cold and I wasn't able to enjoy the trip so much. But it was still interesting and i'd love to go again when its abit walmer. Being in the middle of nowhere - It would be nice to take a picnic as there are no shops nearby.
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/mitchells-fold-stone-circle
Phone: No phone number available
Pentre Ifan
Pentre Ifan is a stone monument which can be found in Nevern, Pembrokeshire. The nearest town is fishguard. Its fairly easy to get to the monument as it's only a little way off the road. The monument is now looked after by Cadw. It was originally called 'Arthurs Quiot' and is thought to of originated in 3500 BC. The huge top stone is balenced on 3 sharp upright stones, and weights 16 tons. Local folklore says Fairys can sometimes be seen at Penfe Ifan. They look like little childen in soldier uniforns and red capes.
I had a really enjoyable day out. Its a very natural place and free to enter. As the monument is outdoors, the best time to visit would be on a warm day in the spring or summer. Take a picnic too :-)
Website: www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Phone: 01443 336000
Star Trek Experiance
The Star Trek experiance is a constant everyday event which is held in the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas. I hadn't even heard about it untill a couple I met mentioned it. We decided to met up and go together. When i arrived, I was sent to the ticket desk and had a glow in the dark type ink printed onto my hand, so the workers nknew I had paid. Tickets were about $40 (not certain on that though). The first thing you will notice are the huge models of different ships from different series. These were really incredible to look at. We walked up a ramp which lead to a museum type section, showing all the different uniforms worn by Star Fleet Officers over the years. I haven't really seen alot of Star Trek on the TV, so couldn't appretiate it as much as other fans would. After we had finished looking round, we were greeted by an actor dressed up as a Star Fleet Officer, and then lead into a room with another Actor. He then lead us into a small room with a Learner Film which we needed to watch. Suddenally the room was thrown into darkness with nothing more than afew flashing lights and a siren sound blasting through the speakers. After afew moment the lights came back on and we were told we'd been attacted by some scary monster. Another set of doors were opened to a room infront of us. This room was set out with rows of seats in the middle. We were then told to belt up. A big window type screen started up with images of stars, blackholes and extra-terrestrial desserts. The room also started moving and rocking in differant directions. I hadn't planned on going on any rides, but it was fun either way. The ride lasted for afew minutes and then we were safely back in 2007.
After the ride, you are free to take a look around the shop and go into a Star Trek theamed bar, titled 'Quarks Bar'. I really loved it in there, so much that I brought my mum along the next day. She' not much of a Sci-Fi fan at all (the only thing she watches are Supernatural and Torchwood). But she really liked the theme too. The staff were all dressed up as different characters and there were also afew characters walking around tthe Bar area waiting for photo's. But be sure to go afew times as there are different characters everyday. I managed to get into the bar and shop without buying a ticket the second time around because they go straight through to the casino's, so you only need a ticket to see the museum and the rides. This place would be a real treat to any fan of Star Trek and i'd defentally go back again as I really enjoyed myself.
Note: The Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas has now been closed down. There was rumour that it would be re-opened, but nothing has been done ..... So I guess it's either on hold for the future or not happening at all. Check out the wikipedia link below :-)
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Experience
Phone: No phone number available
Stonehenge
At first glance, Stonehenge looked a little disapointing. It was much smaller than i'd imagened. However once you have gotten past the gates, you'll really notice all the hard work that went in to create it.
After i'd payed to get in, I was handed a set of headphones which told me information about each stone, what they're called and what they may of been used for. I didn't really know much about stonehenge when I first went, but left with more knowledge than an Encyclopedia :-). It was a little dissapointing that I couldn't go right up to the stones, but understood how delicate they must be. I was told that people kept breaking pieces off to sell or keep as suvoners, so thats why its now fenced off.
Once I finished looking at the stones, I went to the Gift shop. It sells everything from Keyrings to Chocolate to Pictures and Posters. I also had lunch well I was there. The cafe mostly just serve sandwiches, hot bagettes and Coffee, but it stops you from starving :-)
Stonehenge really is an interesting landmark and i'd recomend the visit to anybody. Its also a good idea to visit Avebury while your there. Its nearby and a nice little village (look at Avebury section below).
Website: www.stonehenge.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 08703331181
The Time Machiene: Doctor Who Museum
The Time Machiene: Doctor Who Museum is located in Bromyard, Herefordshire. When you walk through the doors, the first room you enter is the cafe. The cafe hasn't been open for long, it was added in the hope of making abit more money to support the future of the Museum as there is no other funding. When your in the cafe, you can turn left to the next room. This is the room which is home to lots of different teddy's. If you walk straght through the cafe, there is a door which has been designed to look like the Dr Who time machiene. You walk through this door, and you're lead into the Toy museum. They are home to everything Doctor Who. You will find stock from the very beginning of the show in the 1960's, and also a life size Darlek. There was a button to press, which made the Darlek shout 'Exterminate'. Entry is £5 (at the time I went) but defentally well worth it, especially if your a Doctor Who fan. If your ever in Bromyard, this place is well worth a visit. The owner, Ted Glazzard and his wife are extremly welcoming and are huge fans of Doctor Who themselves.
Note: Since I last visited, the museum has been reopened. Aswell as the Dr Who collection, they now also have Star Wars, Red Dwarf and Captain Scarlett merchendise to view.
Website: www.timemachineuk.com
Phone: 01885 488329
Various Torchwood Locations
The Bay and Mermaid Quay are a very popular part of the Torchwood theme. The Millenium Centre is meant to be where 'The Hub' is located (underneath the Millenium Centre). The building can be found in Mermaid Quay, opposite the Water tower. The Millenium Centre is probally featurde on every episode of Torchwood, even if it's just a birdseye view scimming over Cardiff.
The Water tower is home to the invisible lift. When Jack stands in front of the water tower on a certain step, he is lowered slowly underground, where he ends up standing in 'The hub'.
If you walk to the very front of the Bay, by the water and walk along the wooden flooring, you'll get to a little square building, with no windows and 1 wooden door. This is Ianto's Door AKA the tourist entrance to 'the Hub'. This is the way Gwen first came when she discovered the address while delivering pizza. You will also see several piers along the water. Owen ran along one of these in the episode 'A day in the death', where he dived into the water.
The waterguard is featured in the episode 'Adam'. If you walk around to the back of the buliding, you'll see that this is the same place featured in Jacks flashback. This is where he lived as a child with his family. In reality, the Waterguard is a little pub on the bay.
The Welsh Assembley Building can be found just before the Waterguard pub. It was featured in the episode 'Meat', where Gwen and Rhys were sitting on the outside steps.
Other episodes featuring the Bay and Mermaid Quay area are Kiss kiss bang bang, Sleeper and many others.
Buffalo Bar is where Captain Jack takes Gwen for a drink and confesses everything about Torchwood in the episode 'Everything changes'. . After telling her all about it, he then puts a pill in her drink to make her forget everything he said. Buffalo is a really nice bar which is open through the day. They do a variety of meals and also hold a lot of good gigs upstairs on a regular basis.
Bute Park is a really pretty place, particuarly in the summer. A river runs along the side, and it is filled with tree's and flowers ..... A nice change if you feel like getting away from all the noise and cars for a while. I have spent several hours walking along the grounds and reading my book in the man-made stone circle. The park has also been featured on Torchwood a couple of times. My favorite being when the Circus was in town in the episode 'From out of the rain'. Bute Park runs right along the outside of Cardiff Castle. Although you aren't able to dodge the price of a Castle tour ticket and nip over the wall, it's still nice to visit.
The Castle was featured in the episode 'Exit Wounds', where John sets off explosions all over the city while standing on the castle. Although I haven't been in the castle yet, I have been in the grounds around it. I will have to make an effort to visit the Castle properly some time in the future.
Castle Arcade can be found opposite the Castle entrance. It featured as the arcade where Bilis's shop was. Its a really pretty little ally full of nice shops, including a good second hand book shop and a cheese shop.
Caroline Street is known as Chippy Lane by the locals because it is full of chip shops and takeaways. Its featured in the second episode of Torchwood 'Day 1', where Carys walks down the lane and is surrounded by sex.
In 'Greeks baring gifts', Jack stands on top of the City Hall, infront of the clock and stares down over Cardiff city.
La Tasca is also featured in an episode called 'Random shoes'. This is when Eugine is killed, and Gwen takes Linda for a drink and a chat.
Another of my favorite episodes is 'Small Worlds', where the little girl has faries living at the end of her garden. Somewhere filmed in this episode is Cardiff Market. Where a man is seen running from the things that are chasing him.
Tiger Tiger has featured in a couple of episodes of Torchwood. 'Combat' was where Owen sprayed himself with perfume and started chatting up a girl. Her boyfriend got jelous and started a bar fight. This was filmed in one of the downstairs bars.
In an upstairs bar, the episode 'Kiss kiss bang bang' is where Jack and John have their bar fight. The bar isn't currentally open to the public, however the nice bar staff let me go up and have a look around.
In the episode 'Ghost machine', Owen, Tosh and Jack are seen walking through a tunnel. Owen is holding a small device which goes off and lets him view the history in that loaction. He see's a young girl being held at knife point by her boyfriend. He hears her scream but is unable to do anything about it. The actual tunnel can be found on Wood Street. It is underneath the railway tracks and is the on at the very end. The tunnel is surrounded by a fence, so you aren't able to actually walk through it ..... However you can still squeeze your camera through the fence to take a photo without it getting in the way (note: please be careful if you walk onto the pebbles and the plastic bit on the floor ..... Its very slippy and I went right on my arse, spraining my wrist and smashing my watch).
There are alot more places that were filmed in Torchwood. However the above list is just the places i've visited. A more complete list can be found at www.torchwoodlocations.com
Website: http://www.visitcardiff.com
Phone: No phone number available
Penwyllt - Torchwood Trip - 12th October 2008
Because it was my Birthday a couple of weeks ago, Mum decided to take me to Penwyllt for the day - Penwyllt is where the Countrycide Episode of Torchwood was filmed - Its one of my favoite episodes and i'd been begging her to take me there ever since the episode was aired on TV about a year ago.
We looked on the map to see exactly where Penwyllt was and we planned our route. It was about 85 miles from my house. We set off at about 1:30pm, made a stop at Leominster for Sandwiches and then carried on.
Believe it or not, the place we were looking for (2 sets of cottages in the middle of the Breacon Beacons) actually had a street name, so I managed to find a postcode for the Satnav. The postcode didn't work though, but the road went straight on (other than 1 turning), so we carried on driving. At the end of the road, there was a building with afew trees in front of it blocking the view. We stopped the car and walked to the end of the road. I could hear people chatting outside and was about to ask if they knew where the Caving Club (thats what the cottage is used for) was, but as I walked past the trees, I realised that we were outside the Caving Club. I did abit of a jump and squeel when I noticed the other building from Torchwood in the background.
Mum explained to the owner of the Caving Club that I was a fan of Torchwood, so he started talking to me about where the different scenes had happened and told me a couple of the stories. He invited us inside to look at the Caving photo's and showed us around (not that the inside was filmed, but it was still nice to offer). Then we headed to the other building (where Tosh and Ianto first explored and then got caugh). I prefered this building, because it looked exactly the same as on the TV. We took some photo's and then headed back to the main building.
Its a really pretty place and not at all creepy - If your a Torchwood fan, i'd defenatally recommend checking it out at some point :-)
Website: http://www.swcc.org.uk
Phone: 01639 730613