While the on-screen Tardis is iconic, we've also received intelligence that the Doctor makes use of other police phone boxes as well...
Can you help the Doctor by finding his nearest portal near you?
Historic Places That Have Made Doctor Who
The Doctor is over 900 years old, but it is 60 years since they first appeared on our TV screens, along with some of Britain's most iconic heritage buildings and places.
Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, and Cadw are marking the anniversary of the first broadcast by launching a new interactive map. The map celebrates the many regenerations of Doctors, decades of Daleks, and (of course) some of the historic buildings and places that are key in bringing the show to life.
Like many others across the country, Doctor Who was very much part of my childhood - everyone has 'their' Doctor that they recall fondly. 60 years on from its launch, I am sure that Doctor Who is still having the same effect on generations of fans, young and old. It's wonderful to see how TV and heritage connect, and celebrations like this highlight the historic links between this exhilarating BBC show and the fantastic heritage available to explore across England.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive
Historic England
Did you know?
As well as playing a key role in time travel, Doctor Who's Tardis (an acronym for 'Time And Relative Dimension In Space') also helps to showcase an important part of the UK's architectural heritage.
Its designer, Gilbert Mackenzie Trench, was Surveyor and Architect to the Metropolitan Police from 1920 to 1945, with responsibility for many buildings and places that play an important part in our historic streetscapes.
Find more listed buildings designed by Gilbert Mackenzie Trench
Whovian places of interest on the map
Norris Castle, Isle of Wight
In this episode, 'The Sea Devils', the 3rd Doctor is pitted against the Master, another recurring character of the Doctor Who canon. This is also the first episode to introduce the aquatic version of the Silurian’s, a reptilian lifeform that inhabited the Earth before the rise of man.
The Master is kept prisoner in Norris Castle, not far from Osborne House – the former home of Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight. Norris Castle is a rare Regency estate designed by one of England’s most notable architects, James Wyatt.
Wells Cathedral, Somerset
In a tale of science run amuck, the Doctor meets Dr Lazarus, who is experimenting with defying the aging process. The episode culminates in a battle, which was shot inside Wells Cathedral in Somerset.
Wells Cathedral began construction around 1175 and was the first English Cathedral to be built in the French Gothic style. The scissor arches (shown left) were built around 1338 and were designed to solve the problem of cracks appearing in the tower.
Buchanan Street Police Box, Glasgow
The Doctor's space-time machine (the Tardis) is modelled on the Police Call Box, designed by Scottish architect Gilbert Mackenzie Trench, who was Architect Surveyor to the Metropolitan Police between 1920-1945. It's since become a pop culture icon thanks to the success of Doctor Who and examples can still be found in Glasgow.
Nant Ffrancon, Ogwen Valley
Mae tirwedd hanesyddol gofrestredig Dyffryn Ogwen yn cynnwys nodweddion archaeolegol rhagorol o sawl gwahanol gyfnod, ond mae’n fwyaf enwog am ei chwareli llechi. Yn y stori chwe rhan ‘The Abominable Snowmen’, dyma’r ardal a oedd yn cynrychioli Tibet ym 1935. Darlledwyd y gyfres yn wreiddiol ym 1967, dim ond un o’r chwe phennod sydd ar ôl yn archifau’r BBC. Rhyddhawyd fersiwn wedi’i hanimeiddio yn 2022.
The Ogwen Valley registered Historic Landscape has outstanding archaeology from many different periods but is most famous for its slate quarries. In the 6-part storyline “The Abominable Snowmen” it doubled for 1935 Tibet. Originally aired in 1967, only one of the six episodes remains in the BBC archives. An animated version was released in 2022.
Does anyone know where I left the Tardis?
Doctor Who, Time Lord
The Universe, just east of Hull
