Locations Ghost Machine Episode 3

Locations Guide – Episode 3 Ghost Machine

By John Bond-Winstone (The Doctor)

Ghost Machine takes place in a few areas of Cardiff.  In the episode we are to believe that one of these areas is Butetown but in reality it is in Adamsdown and Splott.

Location 1 – High Street Arcade, City Centre, Cardiff

In the very opening of the episode Gwen and Owen are chasing what is to be believed as an Alien. They chase this Alien along Queen Street and head towards the High Street Arcade.  High Street Arcade is located just opposite Cardiff Castle and has 3 entrances. 1 on Castle Street, 1 on St Mary Street and the other on Church Street, which they use as the entrance for Gwen to slide under the shutters.  High Street Arcade houses many small boutiques, which includes a Joke Shop, Eccentric Show Shop and many hair salons/barbers.

How to get to High Street Arcade:

From Central Bus Station:

• Turn right onto Wood Street and walk to the end where you come onto St Marys Street.
• Turn left and walk straight up St Mary Street past Tesco’s and the Indoor Market. High Street Arcade is on the right hand side of St Mary Street.

Location 2 – Cardiff Central Train Station and Subway, City Centre, Cardiff

These 2 locations are used for the continuing chase of the unidentified Alien.  From High Street Arcade, Gwen is closing on the Alien signature, which is detected by Toshiko.  Gwen is running along square in front of the train station and continues to chase the Alien signature through the Train Station Concourse and finally catches up with the signature at the end of the subway. 

As this location is where all the bus and trains come into I won’t go into giving you directions but the National Express Coaches, Cardiff Buses and all trains stop here.  Unfortunately you can’t gain access to the subway unless you have a train ticket to get onto the platform but you can walk around to the back of the station and go to the location where Gwen sees the ghost of the little boy after catching up with the Alien signature.

Location 3 – Cumnock Place, Splott Cardiff

This location is used twice in this episode.  Firstly it is the location for Bernie’s mother’s house.  This location is said to be in Splott in the episode and it actually is.  The 2^nd time this location is used is for the 2^nd time Bernie is being chased by Owen and they are running along a street, which is parallel to a train track.

How to get to Cumnock Place:

• Catch the Number 12 or 13 Bus, which goes to Tremorfa and ask the driver to let you know where to get off for Adamsdown Square Post Office.  (A Day ticket at the time of writing costs £3.40 an adult).
• Get off the bus and look directly opposite you and you can see the Black Bridge.  Walk towards the Black Bridge and you will recognise some of the area from where Bernie is being chased. You can have a picture at the bottom right hand side of the Bridge.
• Walk up the slope and cross over the bridge. Have another picture as this is the bridge, which Bernie is being chased has graffiti on it.
• Once you are across the bridge turn directly left and walk up and follow the street around and you are on Cumnock Place.
• Walk to the end of this lane and turn right and you are at Bernie’s mothers house.

Location 4 – Black Bridge, Adamsdown, Cardiff

As previously said in the last location, this location is used as part of the scene where Owen is chasing Bernie.  There are 2 photo opportunities here.  On the bridge itself and down the right hand side lane as this is where Bernie and Owen are running towards the Bridge.

How to get to the Black Bridge:

• Catch the Number 12 or 13 Bus, which goes to Tremorfa and ask the driver to let you know where to get off for Adamsdown Square Post Office.  (A Day ticket at the time of writing costs £3.40 an adult).
• Get off the bus and look directly opposite you and you can see the Black Bridge.  Walk towards the Black Bridge and you will recognise some of the area from where Bernie is being chased. You can have a picture at the bottom right hand side of the Bridge.
• Walk up the slope and you are on the Black Bridge

Location 5 – Adamsdown Square, Adamsdown, Cardiff

This location is used twice in the episode. One is for the scene where Owen is chasing Bernie and whilst Owen is investigating the murder of the young woman and Owen is suspecting Eddie as the murderer.  Adamsdown Squares houses Eddie’s house, which in the episode is said to be in Butetown but it is actually in Adamsdown.

How to get to Adamsdown Square:

• Catch the Number 12 or 13 Bus, which goes to Tremorfa and ask the driver to let you know where to get off for Adamsdown Square Post Office.  (A Day ticket at the time of writing costs £3.40 an adult).
• Get off the bus and look directly opposite you and you can see the Black Bridge. 
• Walk towards the Black Bridge and look towards the right and you will see an enclosed Children’s play park.  Walk towards the play park and you are where Owen is chasing Bernie.
• Keep walking forward and you will see a set of stone steps, which is in between a house and a fireplace business. 
• The house with the brown door next to these steps is Eddie’s house.

Location 6 – Taff Mead Embankment, Cardiff

This location is used when Gwen, Toshiko and Owen are investigating Bernie and trying to find out where he lives.  Jack meets up with the group and they walk along the embankment towards the tunnel, which goes under the railway line.  Here Owen sees the ghost of a murdered girl and identifies the murderer as Eddie.

How to get to the Taff Mead Embankment:

• From the bus station turn right and walk along Wood Street.
• Cross the bridge and take the first left and you are walking along the Taff Mead Embankment
• The actual location is directly under the railway line and is not a public thoroughfare but you can access it by jumping over the wall.