Locations Children of Earth: Day Five

 

 COE Day Five broadcast 10 Jul 2009

 Byron Road, Newport 

Andy chats with Gwen and Rhys as they head towards Rhiannon's in the car. Start of journey.

Directions by car via A470 - using Millennium Centre as starting point. 

Take A470, Newport Rd/A4161 and City Road/B4261 to Byron Street. Head southwest on Bute Place/A470. Turn right to stay on Bute Place/A470 and continue to follow the A470 for 0.8 miles. Turn left onto Herbert Street/A470. After 233ft turn right onto Bute Street. After 0.1 miles turn right onto Bute Terrace/A4160. Keep left to continue on Churchill Way. Turn right onto Guildford Street, staying on this road for 285ft before continuing onto Station Terrace. After 0.2 miles, turn right onto Newport Road/A4161 and turn left onto City Road/B4261 after 0.3 miles. After about 0.2 miles turn right onto Byron Street.

 

Cae Brynton Road, Newport 

This was also a road used in filming for journey to Rhiannon's home 

Directions by car 

Take the A470 and Hemingway Road to Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232. Continue on Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232 to Rover Way for 2 minutes. Follow Rover Way to A4232 for 4  mins before continuing on A4232. Take the Eastern Avenue/A48 and A48(M) to Southern Distributor Road/A48 in Duffryn. Take exit 28 from the M4. Continue on the Southern Distributor road for 10 mins. Take the Cardiff road/B4237 to Cae Brynton Road in Newport. This will take less than 5 mins to reach Cae Brynton Road. 

 

Melfort Road, Newport 

Much of these three directions are the route to Rhiannon's. 

Directions by car 

Taking route A470 and Hemingway Road to Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Rd/A4232 for 3 mins, continue on the Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232 to Rover Way. After 2 mins follow Rover Way to A4232. 

In less than five minutes, take the Eastern Ave/A48, A48(M) and M4 to Glasllwch Cres/B4591 in Newport. Take exit 27 from M4. After 11 mins take the Western Avenue and Bassaleg Road to Melfort Road. In less than five minutes, you've arrived at your destination. 

 

Meredith Close, Newport 

Where Gwen and Rhys lead the children away from the troops. 

Directions by Car

Taking the usual route of A470 and Hemingway Road....for 3 mins, continue on Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232 for 2 minutes before following Rover Way to A4232. After less than 5 minutes take the Eastern Ave/A48, A48(M) and M4 to Glasllwch Crescent/B4591 in Newport. Take exit 27 from M4. After 11 minutes take Western Avenue, Bassaleg Road and Melfort Road to Meredith Close. In about 6 minutes you will reach your destination.

You won't be stuck for a parking space in that area. 

 

Gaer Road, Newport 

Another route of Andy driving Gwen and Rhys to Rhiannon's 

Pretty much the same directions as Cae Brynton Road, Newport but at the last instruction after Southern Distributor Road/A48, take Cardiff Road/B4237 to Gaer Road in Newport instead. 

 

Buchan Close, Newport 

Either Andy got lost or this was another scenery shot for the journey to Rhiannon’s home. 

Just follow the instructions for Meredith Close but at the Bassaleg Road and Melfort Road, take the route for Buchan Close. 

 

Victoria Tower Gardens, London 

Rhys was sat at a park bench waiting on Gwen's instructions to release the information about the 456. 

Although not the quickest route into London, it is the simplest one to follow. Just be aware that there will be tolls. So, have you had your injections? 

Directions by car 

So, take the Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232, Rover Way, A4232 and Eastern Avenue/A48 to A48(M) for 14 mins then follow M4 to Great West Road/A4 in London. This will take 2 hours and 26 minutes, before following A4, A3220 and A3212 to Lambeth Bridge/A3203. In 27 minutes, give or take, you will arrive at Victoria Tower Gardens South at Millbank, London.

 

Wenallt Woods, Caerphilly 

This is where Gwen and Rhys said Goodbye to Jack as he left Earth. 

Directions by car 

Take the Central Link/A4232, A470 and A469 to Wenallt Road in Thornhill. After 23 minutes turn left onto Wenallt Road. Wenallt Car Park 2 will be on the right. 

Wenallt Woods is a Cardiff County Council Wood and is 44 hectares of ancient woodland and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 

Wenallt Woods was also used for the teleportation scene when Martha left the Valiant and watched London burn, as the Toclafane flew overhead.

 

International Press Centre, Shoe Lane, London 

Jack is picked up by helicopter from London. He instructs Gwen to find Ianto's family and keep them safe. 

The quickest route is by plane but it will cost you over £100 for the privilege. So, the easiest route is by car. Naturally, there are tolls to go through. 

Once again, take the Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road route...which will take 14 minutes before you take the M4 to Western Avenue/A40 in Denham. This will take you 2 hours and 18 minutes before you continue on the A40. 

Drive to Shoe Lane in City of London, which will take 43 minutes and you will arrive at Plumtree Court at 25 Shoe Lane, Holborn, London, EC4A 4AU. This is private property however and you won't be able to access the roof. But you should be able to see the building from Ludgate Circus which has the best ground view of the many windowed structure. 

Back in 2006 during The Runaway Bride, the Doctor and Donna sat on the rooftop while the TARDIS recovered. 

 

Llanstephan Road, Rumney, Cardiff 

Was the roundup of the children by the army for the 456. 

Directions by car 

It takes 12 minutes to reach this area if taking the Cardiff Bay Link Road route to Lamby Way in Rumney which will take 10 minutes before reaching the roundabout, and taking the first exit, staying on Lamby Way. After less than a minute, follow the B4239 and Greenway Road to Llanstephan Road. After two minutes turn left onto Llanstephen Road, Rumney.

 

Pillgwenlly Primary School, Newport 

Another scene of a school as the army rounds up the children into big yellow buses. Parents naturally unhappy about this. 

Because it's a school, and although I may have listed some school locations in the past, I feel it's unwise to continue doing so as you could wind up in the back of a police car.

Do be aware that any lingering at school gates can these days get you a free ride in a Police car. Especially during term times.

 

MOD St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan 

The site where Jack was brought to by Special Ops unit, and where Stephen and Alice were being held. This site was used for much of the Special Ops indoor scenes, where Steven played football with the soldiers. Where Jack used Steven for the final scenes against the 456. It has been used for many other episodes for both Doctor Who and indeed Torchwood. 

Take the A4232 to Port Road/A4050 in Culverhouse Cross. Take the A48/A4050 exit from A4232 for seven minutes, then head south-west on Cardiff Bay Link Road/Queens Gate Tunnel/A4232 for 5.8 miles. Use the left lane to take the A48/A4050 slip road to Cardiff West/Gorllewin Caerdydd/Barry/Barri for 0.2 miles. Keep left and follow signs for A4050 and merge onto Port Road/A4050. 

Continue on Port Road and take the B4265 to Cowbridge Road. Merge onto Port Road/A4050. When you reach the roundabouts and there will be three of them spaced over a mile or so, take the second exit and stay on Port Road/A4050 for two of these, and on the third roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Port Road W/A4226. After a mile you'll reach another roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto A4226 and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto B4265. After 2.5 miles, continue onto B4265. Turn right onto Gileston Road and Continue onto Rectory Road, and after 0.2 miles continue onto Cowbridge road. You will see MOD Saint Athan after 0.4 miles.

 

St Mary's Catholic School (aerial), Battersea, London and Battersea Park School (aerial), Battersea, London 

Other schools targeted by the 456. 

Naturally school areas should not be visited during school hours and these two schools were only shown as aerial shots. So for this reason alone I will not be listing directions to them. 

This is the final instalment of Children of Earth locations. Next month will be the Miracle Day locations that have still to be completed.

 

Stay safe people.

 

 

Locations Children of Earth: Day Four

 

Children of Earth: Day Four was broadcast 9 Jul 2009 

Due to the current pandemic, it would be unwise to travel out to any of these places. Best wait until everything has returned to relative normality…. whenever that is. 

West Bute Street, Cardiff 

Jack and Ianto are on their way to Thames House when they hit traffic and walk.

 

Heading out from the Millennium Centre again, this is a 4-minute walk. Heading west towards Bute Place/A4119 turn left onto Bute Place and turn right onto Bute Street. Take a left where you'll pass Bumpybox Animation Studio. At the end of the road, turn right and you have reached your destination. There's a coffee and wine bar along this road, might be needed after your stroll - all of 4 minutes!!! Unsure in these times, if it will be open though.

Ship Lane, Cardiff 

The narrow alleyway that takes Jack and Ianto onto Thames House, to face down the 456.

 

It's interesting when you look at online maps, that lead you a right merry dance to the location, especially as this one is one click less than West Bute Street, and doesn't take you round the houses, literally. 

This is on the same route as you take for West Bute Street, so follow those instructions above but instead of heading up Bute Street, travel a little further along the A4119 and turn right onto Ship Lane, which will take you along the road, near the Bute Docks Post Office. Ship Lane appears to hold one large building with a car parking facility and some little shop fronts, including a little church. 

It could be, that this is a one way system and so that’s why you can’t reach this any quicker by car. 

Abingdon Street, London 

Frobisher makes his journey back to MI5. 

By car it will take 3 hours and 9 mins and there are tolls. By train it will take 2 hours 45 mins and there may be delays due to maintenance. 

By Car

Take the usual route out of the City by following the Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/ A4232, Rover Way, A4232 and Eastern Avenue/A48 to A48 (M). Follow the M4 to Great West Road/A4 in London for 2 hours and 20 minutes. 

Keeping right to continue on the A48(M), follow the signs for M4/Newport/Casnewydd. Keep to the left and stay on A48(M) before merging onto M4 after 0.4 miles. 

Continue on A4. Drive to the A3212 for 28 minutes. Continue onto Great West Road/A4, continue to follow the A4. Take a slight right towards Earls Court Road/A3220. Use any lane to turn right onto Earls Court Road/A2330, continue following the A3220 for 1.5 miles.

Continue onto Cheyne Walk/A3212. You are entering the toll zone area in 2 miles at Bessborough Gardens/Peckham - Camberwell - Vauxhall - Westminster Hwy/A202 in 2.8 miles. 

Abington Street is in Westminster, London. Lots to see and do for sure. Although, perhaps wait till after this pandemic has calmed down to a regular zero.

By train

You would need to check the Schedule Explorer to be exact on your train times, as these may vary at the moment.

On a typical normal day, take the C8 Nantgarw bus from Millennium Centre bus stop which will take 7 minutes, and 8 stops before reaching Central Station JN. It's a 4-minute walk to the train station and you need the GWR London Paddington train which will take 1 hour and 54 minutes, with 5 stops from Platform 2. 

When you reach Paddington Station, you've a 4-minute walk to reach Paddington Underground and get on the Bakerloo Elephant & Castle train which takes 4 minutes with 3 stops. There are some delays on this route due to improvements on the Tube Station at Paddington. Who knows, by the time we're all free to travel, these delays might have been reduced. 

While riding this train, you'll pass Edgware Road and Marylebone. 

Get off at Baker Street Station and walk 4 minutes till reaching the Underground level of Baker Street Station. You'll need the Jubilee line and Stratford which will take 6 minutes, and 3 stops before arriving at Westminster. A five-minute walk will get you to Abingdon Street. 

Chelsea Bridge, London 

This scene was also Johnson and her convoy on their journey towards the location of Torchwood. 

By Car 

Follow the same instructions for getting into London using the Cardiff Bay Link Road route, then after Continuing on A4. Take the A3220 to Chelsea Bridge/A3216 

To do this - Continue onto the Great West Road/A4. At the Hogarth Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Great West Road Chiswick/A4. Keep following the A4. Take a slight right towards Earls Court Road/A3220. Use any lane to turn right onto Earl's Court Road/A3220, continuing to follow the A3220. Continue onto Cheyne Walk/A3212 while continuing to follow the A3212. Turn right onto Chelsea Bridge/A3216. Chelsea Bridge is on your right. 

By Train 

Taking the C8 Nantgarw bus to the Central Station JN from the Millennium Centre, Take the GWR London Paddington train on Platform 1, which will take 1 hour and 50 mins with 5 stops, which will get you to Paddington Station. You'll need to walk to Paddington Underground which will take about 3 minutes. You'll need the Circle Line via Victoria train which has 6 stops and takes 11 minutes. 

When you reach Sloane Square, you'll need to walk to Lower Sloane Street (Stop M) for the 452 Vauxhall train. This will take about a 2 minute walk. The train itself will take 3 minutes with 2 stops. 

Be aware that there are currently disruptions in place at the underground stations due to improvements on the line, so these may delay your journey. 

Next stop, Lister Hospital (Stop CB). From here, walk for about 0.1 mile, or 3 minutes and you will reach your destination. Chelsea Bridge Road, Battersea, London. 

Queens Circus, Battersea, London

This was used for the scene where Johnson and her convoy of troops head towards the location of Torchwood. 

This route will take you 3 hours and 6 minutes and is 151 miles from Cardiff. 

By car 

Follow the same route as before to London but after turning right onto Chelsea Bridge/A3216, enter the roundabout. The Queen's Circus is the Roundabout. So, you may need to plan where you're going to go from there because I doubt you can circle there for the whole day, without seeing blue flashing lights behind you!!! 

By train 

Depending on what time you set out, take number 6 Cardiff Bus to the Central Station JN which will take 7 mins and 5 stops. I think the C8 is before 10am, after then it's the Number 6. You'll need the GWR London Paddington train which will take 1 hour and 51 minutes with 5 stops along the way, and will be on Platform 1. 

When you reach Paddington Station, walk to Paddington Underground station and take the Circle Line via Victoria, which will take 11 mins and has 6 stops. It will take you to Sloane Square. From there, walk to Lower Sloane Street (Stop M) and catch the 137 Streatham Hill train which takes 10 mins and has 5 stops. 

This takes you to Battersea Park Station (Stop C). From there walk towards Queen's Circus which takes a matter of a minute or two. 

Western Leisure Centre, Caerau Lane, Ely, Cardiff, CF5 5HJ 

Back in Cardiff again. There are two scenes used in this Centre. The bodies of the dead in Thames House, laid beneath red blankets. .

And the cafeteria scene where Gwen sat away from Jack, Spears and Frobisher after Ianto’s death.

Head South-west on Cardiff Bay Link Road/Queens Gate Tunnel/A4232. Use the left lane to take the A48/A4050 slip road onto Cardiff West/Gorllewin Caerdydd/Barry/Barri. At the roundabout, take the 4th Exit onto Cowbridge Road W/A48. Soon after this, turn right onto Heol Trelai, then turn left onto Caerau Lane. Turn right after 56 ft and then turn left and after 184 feet, you'll have reached the Western Leisure Centre. 

Stay safe, and see you back here for the final COE Locations guide in February 2021

Locations Children of Earth, Day Three

 

Children of Earth: Day Three 

Broadcast 8 Jul 2009 

Still using Millennium Centre as the starting point. About the only area of the City I'm familiar with. 

Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay   

This is the location where Johnson's team thought Torchwood was hiding. 

Will take 4 mins of walking to reach this, using the A4119. Head west towards Bute Place/A4119, turn left onto Bute Place and continue to follow the A4119. Turn right onto W Bute Street for 174 ft (take a measuring tool with you - or have a Ianto handy), and turn left onto Mount Stuart Arcade, after almost 200 ft you've reached your destination. 

Mount Stuart Square was created for dock workers to reside at, so they were close to their work, back in the 1800s, but over time and many years later, this area is also a very commercialised area of the city and has quickly become a placec for more upmarket residential properties, which look onto the main Square. 

I would imagine that dock workers probably wouldn't be able to afford to live there now. 

 

Canal Park (south gate), Butetown, Cardiff  

Canal Park has been used for Doctor Who episode Army of Ghosts in 2006. This was also the location in Adam after Jack had seen Gray and talked it through with Adam. It was also in this episode, where Rhys stole a laptop from a guy seated on a bench talking to Gwen. 

By Bus 

If you're using the 304 there should be a bus every 15 minutes. Although with Covid, you may need to wait a while longer. 

Catch the 304 at Llantwit Major, which makes 2 stops before its destination at Mount Stuart Square. Along this route you will pass the Cardiff Bay Police Station, in James Street, and the Cardiff Food Centre, both to the left of your journey. 

If you're going on foot, it's almost a straight line but takes a little longer to reach. 

Taking journey from the Millennium Centre, you're pretty much following the above destination for Mount Stuart Square, then turn left for 102 ft, then right for 0.2 miles, then left and your location will be on the right. 

 

AJ's Coffee House, 20 City Road, CF24 3DL Cardiff 

Not far from The Parade. Also, the place where Lois Habiba met Team Torchwood. 

It's quicker by car using the Central Link/A4234 route. 

Head out south-west on Bute Place/A470, and stay on this road for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Hemingway Road. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit. At that roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Central Link/A4234. Use the right lane to turn right onto Adam Street/A4160. Using the middle lane to turn slightly right onto Moira Terrace, turn left onto Glossop Road. Use the left lane again to turn slightly right onto City road/B4261. AJ's Coffee House is on the right. 

 

The Parade, Roath, Cardiff 

Not far from AJ's Coffee House. 

The fastest route is by car via the Central Link/A4234 and takes 7 minutes. 

Take the Central Link/A4234 and A4160 to The Parade and stay on this road for 1.8 miles. Turn right onto The Parade. 

 

Tower Hill, Penarth 

In the street at the back of the house, Alice makes her escape with her son Stephen, and brandishes a gun she keeps hidden from her son. 

By car this takes 11 minutes and is 3.5 miles from Cardiff Millennium Centre.

Taking the Cardiff Bay Link road/A4232, A4055 and the A4160 to Tower Hill in Penarth takes 9 minutes or 3.4 miles. Turn right onto Tower Hill for 305 ft and you've reached your location 

Using Public Transport will take you considerably longer. 

If you catch the bus (8) from University Hospital of Wales, there will be 9 stops before it reaches Pentre Street. Get off here and walk to Grangetown which will take about 6 minutes. Catch the Penarth train which will take 7 minutes to reach Penarth and will stop twice along the way. Get off at Penarth and walk about 0.4 miles or 7 mins and you will reach your destination. 

Check the Cardiff Bus and Transport for Wales travel times though. As with the current climate, some of those destinations may have a reduced travel timetable. 

 

James Street, Cardiff 

This is one of the streets that Clem McDonald walked along, and while a woman waited at the lights to cross the street, Clem helped himself to her purse. 

James Street is the location of the Cardiff Bay Police Station, which we mentioned further up on the locations trip - to your left along the journey to Canal Park. 

It will only take 4 minutes on foot. It's 0.2 miles away from Millennium Centre. 

Walk west towards Bute Place/A4119 for 118 feet. Again, you'll need a Ianto for the measurements!!!

Turn left onto Bute Place/A4119 and continue on this road for 0.2 miles. 

 

Maindee Police Station, Newport (Gwent Police, 81 Chepstow Road, Maindee, Newport NP19 8XD 

This route is the quickest by car using the M4 and takes less than half an hour to reach. Using public transport will get you there within the hour. It's a 16.2 miles journey. 

Setting off from Bute Place, Cardiff, take the A470 and Hemingway Road to Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232 for 0.7 miles. Continue on this road to Rover Way for 0.8 miles. Follow Rover Way to the A4232 for 2 miles. Take the Eastern Avenue/A48, A48 (M) and M4 to Malpas Road/A4051 in Newport and take Exit 26 from the M4 for 11.2 miles. Continue on the Malpas Road/A4051 and take the B4591 to Chepstow Road/B4237 in Maindee for 1.5 miles. You've reached the Gwent Police Station. 

 

Ty Gwyn Crescent, Cyngoed, Cardiff 

This is the street that Jack Harkness made the call to John Frobisher about his family, and where John Frobisher broke the news that they had Jack's daughter and grandson. 

The fastest route is by car and takes 14 minutes and is 5.7 miles away from Millennium Centre. 

Take the Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232, Rover Way, A4232 and Llanederyn Road to Bronwydd Avenue for 5.6 miles. Follow the Bronwydd Avenue to Ty-Gwyn Crescent for 0.1 miles. 

 

Shoe Lane, London 

The street where Jack stole the sports car, while dressed in civvies. 

Given the Covid restrictions at the moment, travelling into the City of London may not be a wise thing, and because of the restrictions to public transport, we're only going to add the directions for M4 only. 

However, this doesn't go as smoothly as there are also those blessed Tolls. Although, I wonder, if you pay to get into England, do you still need to pay to get out again??? I remember Portmadoc only ever having to pay one way, so long as you still had your ticket. Worth checking! 

So, from Millennium Centre to Shoe Lane, London, will take 3 hours and 16 minutes and is 153 miles using the M4. Make sure all your jabs are up to date and you've got your passport. 

Take the Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232, Rover Way, A4232 and Eastern Avenue/A48 to A48 (M) for 7.5 miles. Follow the M4 to Great West Road/A4 in London for 137 miles or 2 hours and 19 minutes. Continue on the M4, taking the A40 to A4208 in City of London for 8.5 miles or 32 minutes. 

Shoe Lane has quite a bit of history, some of which dates back to 1224 when the Dominican Black Friars first came to London and took up residency at the Holborn end of Shoe Lane, opposite St Andrews Holborn. 

Shoe Lane was once known as Shoe Alley. It has no connection with shoes but some believe it was possibly named after the well called Showelle or Sho Well. Or it has some connection with the tract of land known as Shoeland Farm, and that the land resembled the shape of a shoe. Whatever the true identity of the name once was, it appears that the lane does date back to a time when some part of London was on agricultural land. 

 

Locations Children of Earth, Day Two

 

Children of Earth: Day Two, broadcast 7 Jul 2009 

Locations has lost its Doctor and gained a Captain. 

Time Lords, eh! 

So, we’re covering Children of Earth Episode Two this month and using Millennium Centre as the starting point for each journey. 

Pierhead Street, Cardiff 

This is the area where Ianto hides from the Sniper and where the Sniper is seen running downstairs after the fleeing Ianto.  It's also an area where the Torchwood team were heading off from in Day One, for the meteor site.

Walk north-east (ideally, if you have a compass, this might help), take a sharp right towards Bute Place, and turn left towards it. Turn right onto Bute Place and turn left onto Pierhead Street.

Buchan Close, Newport  - This is the housing estate where Ianto's Sister and brother in law live with their two children, and an area used a lot during Day Two, Day Three and Day Five.

 

It takes roughly, give or take, 26 minutes to arrive at this destination. It's about 13.6 miles from Millennium Centre to Newport location. If you take the A470 and Hemingway Road to Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232 for about 3 mins. Continue on the same road to Rover Way for two minutes before following Rover Way to A4232 for 4 mins. Obviously, allowing for delays due to any traffic conditions, especially at this time of year, and especially due to COVID-19. Continue on A 4232. Take Eastern Avenue/A48 and A48 (M) to Southern Distributor Road/A48 in Duffryn. Take exit 28 from M4. After 10 minutes and having continued on Southern Distributor Road/A48, take the Cardiff Road/B4237 to Buchan Close in Newport. Your destination will appear after 7 mins.

 

Fitzhamon Embankment, Cardiff - the area that Gwen is seen fighting her way out of the ambulance in Day Two. 

This route using the A4119 will take 10 minutes by car. Heading out from the Millennium Centre, head south-west on Bute Place/A4119. Continue to follow the A4119. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Corporation Road, still A4119. Turn right onto Despenser Street. This street turns right and becomes the Fitzhamon Embankment. Your location is on the left.

 

Talbot Place, Cardiff - Used for many of the earlier Torchwood scenes, such as in the episode Adam, but also for Gwen and Rhys' flat when they flee from the arrival of the Special Ops team headed up by Johnson.

This route is 2.2 miles and takes 11 mins by car, and pretty much the directions are the same as above. Head south-west on Bute Place/A4119. At the roundabout take second exit onto Corporation Road, A4119, only this time, turn left onto Talbot Street.

 

Womanby Street, Cardiff - This was the street where Ianto thought he was being followed by the van, which turned out to just be someone dropping off early morning newspapers. 

This is one of the oldest streets in Cardiff. It is well known for hosting live music venues, albeit small ones, it is also home to the Welsh Club. 

From Millennium Centre, head south-west on Bute Place/A4119. At the roundabout, take 2nd exit onto Corporation Road, A4119. Turn right onto Cowbridge Road/A4161. Turn right. Turn left, and you've arrived in the street. 

 

Hunter Street, Cardiff - At the north end of this street, by the Newsagents, is the route Clem McDonald walked after escaping the rest home. He spies the newspaper headline on this walk. 

This route is on foot this time. Get out your compass and head south. Turn right towards Bute Place/A4119. Turn left onto Bute Place/A4119. Turn left onto Hunter Street. Slight right to stay on this street. It will take 9 minutes to walk this. 

 

The Hereford Arms, Hereford Street, Maindee, Newport, NP19 8DT Wales is the pub that Clem enters to buy himself a drink with stolen money and where he was subsequently arrested by the two police officers.

 

The fastest route is by car and via the M4. If travelling by train, it will take considerably longer. Strange that. Put away your compass and pay full attention to the road signs for this one.

Take the A470 and Hemingway Road to Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road and A4232. Continue on Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road and A4232 to Rover Way. Follow Rover Way to A4232. Take Eastern Ave/A48, A48 (M) and M4 to Malpas Road, A4051 in Newport. Take the exit 26 from M4. Continue on the Malpas Road/A4051. Take B4591, Clarence Place/B4596 and Chepstow Road/B4237 to Hereford Street. In 5 mins you will be at the Hereford Arms. 

Interesting side note to this location. In 2012, on a Beer brewers blog, it was mentioned that the Hereford Arms had closed its doors for good and was awaiting conversion into flats. Yet, 2020, its listed as open for business as a pub. 

 

Liverpool Street, Newport, Wales 

This is outside the Hereford Arms pub, which would explain why the directions sounded similar!!! This is the road where Clem began chanting and then screaming at the sky that he wouldn't be taken in the street. Use the above route for this location. It looks as though this pub is in the middle of two streets. It's quite likely that Liverpool Street is at one side of the large public house.

 

Thames House, Millbank, London SW1P 4QE – Is the location of the big build at the top of the House, where the 456 was to make its grand entrance, and even bigger exit at the end of Day Five. 

Thames House is the location of the MI5 building since 1994. It was built in 1930 on the north bank of the Thames at Millbank. It was featured in all five episodes of COE. You won't be able to enter this building but you should at least be able to see it from the outside quite safely. 

To travel to this destination from Cardiff will, on the fastest route via M4, take you about 2 hours and 56 mins. Be aware that you will face tolls on this stretch. Be sure to also quote Gwen Cooper when crossing into England. It's 152 miles. Pack some sandwiches and refreshments and a flask. And a passport!!! And I hope you've had your jabs!!! 

Heading out of Cardiff, take Rover Way/A4232 and Eastern Avenue/A48 to A48(M) for 13 mins. Follow M4 to Great West Road/A4 in London for 2 hours and 19 mins (137 miles), follow the A4 and A3220 to A3212 for 24 minutes and you've reached your destination.

 

Cemex (Taffs Well), Pentyrch, Cardiff - the site where Jack's concrete tomb was dropped from the top of the cliff and smashed below. It's a quarry site and used quite a few times for Doctor Who, in The End of Time and The Doctor's Wife.

It takes 23 mins to reach this destination of 15.7 miles. Take A4232 and M4 to B4262. Take the exit for A4054/B4262. Take the exit for A4054/B4262 from A470 for 15 mins. Take Main Road and Heol Goch to your destination in 7 mins. CEMEX Taffs Well Quarry, Heol Goch, Taff's Well, CF15 9PN. 

Be aware however that this location has restricted usage and some are on private roads.

 

Cafe Aroma, 120 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF10 5AL - where Gwen and Rhys meet Lois.

 

It will take 54 minutes to walk, so driving to this location, would be ideal. This route is starting from Bute Place, Cardiff. There are three different routes, this will take 11 minutes and seemed more straight forward.

Head South-west on Bute Place/A470 and continue straight onto Bute Place/A4119. Turn right onto Bute Street. Turn right onto Bute Terrace/A4160, continuing to follow A4160 for 0.5miles. Take a slight turn onto Fitzalan Place/A4160. Continue straight onto West Grove. Continue onto Richmond Road, take a sharp left onto Crwys Road/A469, Cafe Aroma is on your right.

 

Harpur Street - the area where Rhys ditches the car and they leave on foot, to evade their pursuers. 

Via Dumballs Road, which is the fastest route. It will take about 4 minutes to reach your destination. Make sure you pack your compass. Head south-west on Bute Place/A470 and continue straight, as you did before for Cafe Aroma, to A4119. Continue to follow the A4119 for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Dumballs Road, turn left onto Penarth Road/A4160 and turn right onto Harpur Street. 

Streets are often named after significant people in history. It's quite possible that the street was named after Borough Surveyor, William Harpur, who designed the Cardiff Market, which was opened for business in May 1891.

 

Boulevard de Nantes, Cardiff - as well as being the route Gwen ran from in Everything Changes, after taking retcon, and the area in Dead Man Walking when Owen doesn't see the weevils that are following him. It's also the area where Gwen drives the ambulance.

Takes 8 minutes by car. Is 2.1 miles from Millennium Centre.

Take the Central Link road/A4234 to Knox Road, staying on the road for 1.5 miles. Continue on this road till you reach Newport Road/A4161 for 9.2 miles. Turn left onto Newport Road/A4161 for 0.4 miles.

 

Cardiff Wholesale Fruit Centre, Bessemer Road, Cardiff - the scene where Gwen and Rhys climb into the red truck full of potatoes taking the long journey into London.

The fastest route is by using the A4232. It'll take 7 minutes to get there and is 3.9 miles from Millennium Centre. 

Time to dig out the sat nav. Head south-west on Cardiff Bay Link Road/Queens Gate Tunnel/A4232 for 2.8 miles. Take the B4267 exit towards Industrial Area/Aral Ddiw for 0.2 miles. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit and continue onto Hadfield Road for 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Bessemer Road, and the Wholesale Fruit Centre is on the left.

 

Darwin Drive (play area), Malpas. - where Ianto meets his sister with the laptop and catches up briefly. He also takes her car.

It takes 26 minutes and is 15.8 miles using the M4. 

Take the A470 and Hemingway Road to Cardiff Bay Link Road/Eastern Bay Link Road/A4232 for 0.7 miles. Continue on the Cardiff Bay Link Road/A4232 to Rover Way for 2 minutes, or 0.8 miles. Follow Rover Way to A4232 for 2.0 miles. 

Take Eastern Ave/A48, A48 (M) and M4 to Malpas Road/A4051 in Newport. Take Exit 26 from M4. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A4232 and drive for 1.3 miles before reaching the second roundabout. Take the 3rd exit onto the A48 slip road for 0.3 miles. Merge onto the Eastern Ave/A48 for 2.4 miles. Keep right to continue on the A48(M) and follow signs for M4/Newport/Casnewydd for 2.5 miles. Keep left to stay on the A48 (M). Merge onto the M4, staying on this road for 4.1 mile. At Junction 26, take the A4051 exit to Cwmbran/Newport/Casnewydd/Caerleon. Continue on Malpas Road/A4051 for 1.1 miles. Drive to Darwin Drive. There should be a sign for Play Area. 

Please note, that Darwin Drive is a built-up housing scheme, and if you take the wrong turning, could be driving around Russell Road and Russell Close for some time. Love Google Maps - got lost twice!!! 

The play area is on flat ground, with ample parking ground to the left of the area, with what looks to be a graffitied toilet block or changing area.

 

Black Horse Ltd (Cardiff), St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH - is a bank, (not a pub, as I thought) the cash point where Rhys and Gwen try and get some money out.

 

This will take 4 minutes by car and via Dumballs Road. Head south-west on Bute Place/A470. Continue straight onto Bute Place/A4119 and after 0.3 miles turn right onto Dumballs Road. After 0.8 miles turn left onto Curran Road, the Black Horse Ltd will be on the left.

See you next month