Discover Britain's top sci-fi and fantasy filming locations

In Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre hosts top-class live music and theatre shows from all over the world.  This landmark building stages musicals, opera, ballet, stand-up comedy and circus performances, as well as free workshops and exhibitions. The centre has an affinity for a time-travelling extra-terrestrial too... several episodes of the British sci-fi classic Doctor Who were filmed here! It was also the setting for the first ever Doctor Who concerts and has been known to host series themed quizzes. 

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum. Explore local history at the Evolution of Wales exhibit or discover a humpback whale skeleton and the world's largest leatherback turtle in the natural history galleries. Fans of Doctor Who (1963–) may be most interested in the museum’s staircase though... in the episode ‘Dalek’, the Doctor’s robotic nemesis shocks by flying up the stairs.  

Live out your sci-fi fantasy at this epic virtual reality centre. The free-roam gaming arena allows you to strap on a headset and move around for a totally immersive gaming experience. With a range of games available, you can choose between fighting robots, space travel or even a zombie adventure – whatever the story, you can be the hero.  

Calling all sports lovers! Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live music and more. It hosts everything from WWE and the World Supercross British Grand Prix, to concerts, major events and – of course – international Rugby Union fixtures. But it’s not all about sports, you know. The stadium is another one of Cardiff’s Doctor Who filming locations, used as the ‘Stormcage’ prison in which the character River Song served 12,000 life sentences!  

A centre for nature, conservation and art, Wales’ national garden is spectacular. Amongst thousands of colourful flowers and plant species, you’ll find the world’s largest single span glasshouse. It doubled up as the Bowie Base One colony on Mars, in the terrifying Doctor Who episode ‘The Waters of Mars’, a favourite of the David Tennant era.  

Acres of glorious landscapes surround a 19th-century mansion in this Welsh country park. Trace the footsteps of Matt Smith’s Doctor Who as you walk around the grounds, reenacting scenes from the episode ‘Hide’. Whilst there you can try all sorts of outdoorsy activities, from fishing to mountain biking or deer watching. They have seasonal events year-round too, so it’s worth checking out what’s on when you visit.  

Bridgend’s Southerndown Beach, AKA Dunraven Bay, is known by locals for its fossil hunting and rock pools, but sci-fi fanatics across the world recognise it as something else entirely. These sandy shores are where the Doctor stood to say a tearful goodbye to his companion Rose, in the episode ‘Doomsday’. After making the pilgrimage to this hallowed ground, lace up your boots to join one of several walking routes around the beach and nearby cliffs.  

The first stones of this castle were laid in 1067, making it one of Britain’s oldest surviving strongholds. Located in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, overlooking the River Wye, it’s easy to see why some of the wealthiest, most influential figures of the Medieval and Tudor periods made it their home. Now in its TV star era, the castle provided the setting for several episodes of Doctor Who during the Doctor’s 11th incarnation, as well as starring in the 50th anniversary episode.  

Get hands-on with science at an interactive museum that will fuel the imaginations of young minds and grown-ups alike. There are some 380,000 objects and archives to explore, each with its own inspiring story to tell, so it’s the perfect place to while away an afternoon – or longer!  

We hope you’ve done your potions homework, as you’ll want to get top marks in this spellbinding masterclass! Located in a quirky London townhouse, you’ll be transported to the wizarding world, with the chance to try your hand at all things magical. Visit a wandmaker’s workshop, craft cocktails (or mocktails) in a mystical mixology class, and finish up with a wizard’s afternoon tea for a British classic with a twist.  

Head back in time with Doc and Marty at the Adelphi Theatre and see this movie classic retold live on stage. Expect music from the 1985 original, as well as all new songs in a musical, comedy, sci-fi extravaganza! 

Filled with props, sets and costumes from the Harry Potter movies, this immersive tour is a must-visit for all fans. It’s set in the very spot where filming took place, and features animatronics, special effects and exclusive interviews with the stars.

The camera loves Alnwick Castle. Having starred as Hogwarts in two Harry Potter films, as well as featuring in lots of other productions, this Northumberland-based screen star doesn’t stop there. Its lively events include outdoor theatre, wand-making workshops and sorcery performances, as well as cannon shooting, falconry flights and roaming jesters. You can even try your hand at a broomstick flying class! 

There’s over 1,000 years of history to discover at Durham Cathedral. Book your spot on a cathedral tour to hear the stories of the people who have influenced its history, before heading up the 325 steps to the top of the central tower. Harry Potter fans will recognise several spots from the franchise, including the scene in which Dobby the Elf is freed, and Professor McGonagall’s classroom!  

A highlight of the North Pennines National Landscape, Low Force waterfall is a spellbinding spot. The area is also a Dark Sky Discovery Site, so paradise for stargazing. While it may not be as dramatic as nearby High Force, this series of fast-flowing cascades is well worth a visit. Start your walk to the falls at the Bowlees Visitor Centre, which hosts displays from local artists. It’s another one of the filming locations for war epic 1917, and you may also know it from The Witcher, which follows a monster-hunting Henry Cavill.

An astrologer's haven, look up into the inky dark skies above Teesdale’s Grassholme Reservoir for an out-of-this-world experience. Regular events include astrophotography and stargazing where you can learn about galaxies, star clusters and nebulae as part of a jam-packed events calendar.

Start off by checking out the impressive collection at the Walker Art Gallery, with works from the likes of Rembrandt and Monet spanning over 600 years. Exhibits include paintings, sculptures, jewellery and ceramics. The impressive building can be spotted several times in 2022’s The Batman, as Liverpool doubles up as Gotham City.  

Reminiscent in style of New York’s historic towers, this mighty landmark was Europe’s first ‘skyscraper’. It opened in 1911 and is a true Liverpool icon: its guided tours reveal the city’s history, while the 15th-floor viewing platform boasts superb 360º views. It's from up here that Robert Pattinson’s The Batman takes a lookout over Gotham City, before leaping off the ledge in one of the film’s most memorable scenes.

One of Liverpool’s architectural gems, this Grade I listed building is a must-visit for fantasy fans – it's a key filming location for beloved franchises. Senator Shaw is seen giving a speech here in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, as its neoclassical design makes a perfect stand-in for 1920s New York. It also doubles as Gotham City Hall in The Batman, appearing several times in the film.  

On a regular day, St. George’s Hall hosts events and exhibitions year-round, so be sure to check what’s on during your visit. You could catch a play, a concert, or even a silent disco!  

One of the ‘Three Graces’ of Liverpool’s UNESCO waterfront and once a passenger terminal for trans-Atlantic ships, the Cunard Building is today home to The British Music Experience, a museum dedicated to Britain’s musical heritage, from The Beatles to the Spice Girls. The legendary building also stars as New York’s Macy’s department store in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, for the scene in which Newt chases an adorable ‘Demiguise’ through the aisles! In The Crown, this area of Liverpool’s waterfront was transformed into a Sixties-style Washington DC, complete with retro cars outside. And did you know that the Cunard Building was one of the Liverpool landmarks chosen to appear in the music video for Taylor Swift’s “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version)”?