Doctor Who Exhibitions

For most film and television shows, the assets associated with their creation: the costumes, sets and props, are used once and then discarded or returned to dusty storerooms for possible future reuse. Fans of the BBC’s Doctor Who series, however, have enjoyed a series of one-off and semi-permanent exhibitions which played host to the variety of props, costumes and, of course, the monsters which had appeared on screen.

Indeed, the very existence of these exhibitions allowed for the preservation of items which might otherwise had been destroyed or thrown into skips to become land-fill. They also shed light on the talents of the BBC’s various propmakers, costumiers and contractors, whose work can be admired when these incredible pieces of television history go on display.

From the earliest displays at the Daily Mail Exhibitions of 1964 and 1967, through the glory years of 1973 to 1985, when Doctor Who was a permanent feature of trips to Longleat House in Wiltshire, and Blackpool’s Golden Mile. From the exhibition at Llangollen from 1995 to 2003, to the modern displays in Blackpool, Brighton, London, Cardiff and other locations up until 2022. Bedwyr Gullidge explores over 50 years of Doctor Who exhibitions, sharing the stories of the people who constructed and ran them, and of course the fans who visited.

This is the ultimate guide to what was on display and when, with detailed notes of how the exhibitions changed over the years, how their very existence encouraged the BBC not to destroy and discard their assets, and instead to allow them to be seen and appreciated by viewers.

Now updated to the end of 2022, and with an expanded gallery of exhibition related posters and other ephemera.

‘What an excellent read – the sort of book we didn’t know we needed, but I’m glad it now exists! Thoroughly researched and written with a lot of attention to detail, not to mention love for the subject matter. Definitely recommended.’ J C McFetridge

288pp. 6×9 format paperback book.
ISBN: 978-1-84583-982-6
Published April 2020, updated edition January 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bedwyr Gullidge worked at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay for the entirety of the Matt Smith era of the attraction. During that time, he operated a Dalek, appeared in ‘The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot’ and put a wooden Cyberman back together, amongst other tasks. An uncredited Runner/Assistant Director on the Doctor Who episodes ‘Dark Water’/’Death in Heaven’, ‘Last Christmas’, ‘The Return of Doctor Mysterio’ and ‘Thin Ice’, he wrote for Gallifrey Times and Doctor Who Online before becoming Assistant Editor for BlogtorWho.com. He also established the ‘Made in Wales’ Exhibition to display items from his significant costume collection at events and conventions. Doctor Who Exhibitions: The Unofficial and Unauthorised History is his first book.