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Original poster

Dr Who exhibition in Cardiff - have you been?

37 replies

DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:24

Would you recommend it?

What else did you do/could you do? Dh says it is near the quay but as I have never been to Cardiff before, that does not really mean much to me. He thinks there would be places to eat (child friendly) etc.

Anyone?

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differentID · 30/12/2008 20:26

I've been a couple of times- it's just 20 minutes down the road. There's also bowling next door, cinema, there quite a few nice little places to eat there as well.

Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:28

Is the exhibition itself any good? How long does it take to go round?

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differentID · 30/12/2008 20:35

It could take as long as you want it to take. Second time we knew where we wanted to concentrate our attention. There's also the location spotting for Torchwood on the quay?

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DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:36

Yes, I might embarrass myself though by being unable to resist the opportunity to fall to my knees and kiss the ground where John Barrowman walked.

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Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:37

oh one more question: are there scary bits to it? Ds2 refuses to sit in the same room if Dr Who is on the tv. He is aged 11 and ought to be able to handle rubber suits in an exhibition, but you never know...

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BalthazarCandleQueen · 30/12/2008 20:39

The Quay is lovely and child friendly (but I didn't have nappoes to change last tim e I was there, so can't vouch for facilities)
If the weather's ok a boat trip is nice, and there is a small playpark near the visitors centre.
Not been to the Dr Who exhibition. did have photo taken on the Torchwood "step" though!

differentID · 30/12/2008 20:39

nothing really scary as such. Is he scared of the programme or just dislikes it?

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DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:45

My youngest is 5 so I don't have to worry about nappy changing thank goodness! Still, it is good to know the quay is a child friendly place.

Ds2 has been terrified of Dr Who since it first came back to our screens in 2005. I think it was the episode with the child in a gas mask that did it for him. Since then, he has refused to stay in the room when it is on although I think ds1 has persuaded him to watch snippets of some episodes since. My other children love it though.

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differentID · 30/12/2008 20:54

ah. There was a section with the gas mask in it in Cardiff. I don't know whether seeing it in real life would help him seperate story from prop? You know him best, is he the sort of child who would be interested in the backstage elements? How it's done, that sort of thing.

dirtygertiefromnumber30 · 30/12/2008 20:55

how far are you travelling to visit it? If its a long way I dont think it's worth it imo. Im a cardiffian and have been a few times, it's OK but isnt anything to write home about.

If on the other hand, you were planning to visit cardiff anyway (which is obviously fab )then you could spend half hour having a mooch around it.

Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:56

Yes he would be, if he decides to be iyswim.

Don't know why I am considering my children so much. This is supposed to be a family day out to celebrate my birthday, not anyone else's.

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Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:57

Ah, good point. We live just the other side of the Severn Bridge, so about 40ish minutes away?

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TooTickyDoves · 30/12/2008 20:57

My completely obsessed ds2 went with my mum and loved it. He is 7.
I have heard other people say it's not that great though.

Ds2 says: "It is so great. It is completely the best one ever."

So there you go

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DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 20:57

What else is there to see in Cardiff?

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differentID · 30/12/2008 20:58

lol dg. In which case insist on a nice meal

differentID · 30/12/2008 21:00

there is a museum of WElsh life between Cardiff and Bridgend which is free. Can be miserable when it's pouring down though.

differentID · 30/12/2008 21:01

Cardiff Castle.

Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 21:02

St Fagins? Been there.

We are talking about tomorrow in case I did not say this before. So really looking for indoor things.

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missblythe · 30/12/2008 21:02

There's not much to it, but guess it would occupy and hour or so.

2 mins walk from there to the Mermaid Quay area-past the big water-feature-tower thing that was always in Torchwood- which has Pizza Express/Cafe Rouge/Wagamama plus lots of other places to eat.

You'll also be mins walk from Techniquest, which is a v. hands on sciencey place, and would easily take another couple of hours:

www.visitcardiff.com/Attractions/starthere.asp?id=24

dirtygertiefromnumber30 · 30/12/2008 21:04

ah, 40 minutes away isnt bad. Winter Wonderland is stil set up in the city centre (icerink, HUGE ferris wheel, fairground rides etc). Cardiff museum is good. Techniquest (also in the bay) is a great science museum for the kids (and adults!) Lots of lovely shops and restaurants. OH, cardiff castle is in the city centre too. See, LOTS to do!

differentID · 30/12/2008 21:05

ah.

Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 21:07

Like the look of the castle on google. Will need to google a map now.

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DoubleBluff · 30/12/2008 21:12

the boat trips to the barrage are good too
and a wander around the milleium centre is good
wasn't that impressed with the dr who exhibition tbh. we were in and out within half an hour.
Winter wonderland is good but mght need to pre book the ice sksting

dirtygertiefromnumber30 · 30/12/2008 21:15

heres a link for winter wonderland which is right next to the castle

www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?parent_directory_id=4981

Original poster
DumbledoresGirl · 30/12/2008 21:17

It looks lovely, but I think pre-booking will be beyond us.

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