Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Locations Countrycide Episode 6 Series 1


Season 1 Episode 6 - Countrycide

By John Bond-Winstone a.k.a The Doctor

Hi all and welcome to the new edition of Project: Torchwood.  I hope you have been enjoying the content and now you are on my regular feature, the Locations Guide.  This episode takes you away from the hustle and bustle of urban life in South Wales and takes you out into the countryside into the breath taking Brecon Beacons National Park.  This area has a wide range of things to do from climbing to the top of Pen-Y-Fan Mountain (Biggest Mountain in Southern Britain) or if you wanted to explore the underground then why not book a caving trip and go for a wander through Porth-yr-Ogof Cave.

As the main locations for this episode are so remote, I have not been able to find any links for public transport to get you there but I will include a link to the map of the area and if you want to drive there then you will at least have the postcode and go on a little adventure yourself.

Location 1 – Penwyllt Inn, Pen-y-Cae SA9 1GQ
The location within the Brecon Beacons is known as Penwyllt, which is a deserted village from the days of the quarry workers working at the limestone quarry nearby during the 19th Century. The Inn was known as the ‘Stump Inn’ and was a local pub for many of the workers.  The South Wales Caving Club now owns the building and is used as private accommodation for keen cavers.

The location is also on private land but the SWCC do accept fans who want to visit the site but please make sure you call in advance to let them know you are coming and please respect their rules.

Also this is the easiest map I can find with where the location is.


How to get here: (Courtesy of Doctor Who Locations)
Road: A465 - Follow the A465 to Glyn-neath, taking the exit into the town. Continue onto the A4109 (Inter Valley Road), and then bear onto the A4221 at Banwen/Dyffryn Cellwen. Continue on to Abercraf, and then turn right onto the A4067. Continue along here until you pass Tawe Uchaf, and then there will be a right turn not far before Craig-Y-Nos. Cross the river and then turn left, and follow the road to Powell Street (caving club). (10 miles, 15m)


Location 2 – Powell Street, Pen-y-Cae SA9 1GQ


This location is the little deserted village within the episode.  Powell Street was a small working community during the days of the Limestone Quarry in the 19th Century.  By the 1980s most of the buildings in the area was demolished but the row of house we see in the episode are what is left of the Penwyllt Village.  These buildings are now the hq of the South Wales Caving Club which also provides accommodation.

How to get here: (Courtesy of Doctor Who Locations)
Road: A465 - Follow the A465 to Glyn-neath, taking the exit into the town. Continue onto the A4109 (Inter Valley Road), and then bear onto the A4221 at Banwen/Dyffryn Cellwen. Continue on to Abercraf, and then turn right onto the A4067. Continue along here until you pass Tawe Uchaf, and then there will be a right turn not far before Craig-Y-Nos. Cross the river and then turn left, and follow the road to Powell Street (caving club). (10 miles, 15m)


Location 3 – Penwyllt Quarry, Pen-y-Cae SA9 1GQ


This location is where the team set up camp and this quarry overlooks the village of what once used to be Penwyllt.  There are many shots from this location and one of the main ones is when the Torchwood SUV gets pinched.

How to get here: (Courtesy of Doctor Who Locations)
Road: A465 - Follow the A465 to Glyn-neath, taking the exit into the town. Continue onto the A4109 (Inter Valley Road), and then bear onto the A4221 at Banwen/Dyffryn Cellwen. Continue on to Abercraf, and then turn right onto the A4067. Continue along here until you pass Tawe Uchaf, and then there will be a right turn not far before Craig-Y-Nos. Cross the river and then turn left, and follow the road to Powell Street (caving club). (10 miles, 15m)

The Quarry is just behind the Car Park of the Caving Club.


Location 4 – White Cross Inn, Groeswen, Caerphilly, CF15 7UT


This location was used to film the interior shots of the Penwyllt Inn.  The White Cross Inn is a small pub with a huge heart. Set in the tiny village of Groeswen overlooking Caerphilly town. It is one of a dying breed of old country pubs, but thanks to the enthusiasm of the local people who are passionate about the place and the a twist of fate that has brought it back to the hands of someone who loves it, The White Cross is creeping back to life.

Map Information to get to the White Cross Inn:



Location 5 – St David’s Hotel and Spa, Havannah Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5SD

This location was used as the scene where Owen is in his flat and is used on a number of occasions in different episodes.  The scene in this episode is when Gwen sleeps with Owen and she is looking out of the window over Cardiff Bay.  By looking at this shot you can see she is in a tall building and the only building big enough is the hotel. 

How to get to the Hotel from the Wales Millennium Centre:

1.    Head southwest on Bute Pl/A4119 toward Stryd Bute
2.    Turn left onto New George St       
3.    Continue onto Stuart St     
4.    Turn left onto Havannah St          
5.    The St. David's Hotel & Spa will be on the left  

Reference Links
South Wales Caving Club - http://www.swcc.org.uk
Doctor Who The Locations Guide - http://www.doctorwholocations.net


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