Memories of costumes and props at the Doctor Who Experience

I was overjoyed when I heard that Jodie Whitaker would be the 'Thirteenth Doctor' providing a fresh new perspective to tell some out-of-this-world adventures, but saddened when I learned that the Doctor Who Experience would close its doors in Cardiff Bay this September. On my most recent visit to Wales the exhibit wasn't open the dates I was there, so here are some unpublished photos from my final visit on April 20, 2015, to the sci-fi extravaganza of the long-running British series with costumes, sets and props from across time and space.

Original costumes and props from Doctor Who

I'd seen many of these alien and monster costumes and screen-used props on previous visits to the exhibition across from the studios where the series was filmed, but there were a few gems I'd not seen in person before from classic Doctor Who episodes.

Costume worn by Kate O'Mara

as The Rani in Doctor Who

One of my favourite new finds was the fab costume worn by renegade Time Lord, 'The Rani', played in all her campy glory by Kate O'Mara in 1987's 'Time and the Rani'. She's not turned up in the revival series to date, so maybe she could regenerate and cross paths with the 'Thirteenth Doctor' in the future.

Gallifreyan Time Lord and soldier costumes

The Doctor Who Experience always had a wide variety of Gallifreyan costumes of display from the new revival series and even the 1996 TV movie which starred Eric Roberts as 'The Master', so be sure to check out these Gallifreyan Time Lord costumes from the Doctor's home planet in more detail.

Costume worn by Billie Piper as The Moment interface and prop

from The Day of the Doctor

Plus I'd seen this costume worn by Billie Piper as the sentient interface of 'The Moment' doomsday weapon from 2013's 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor, but not the Gallifreyan weapon prop itself.

Original Yeti monster costume
from Doctor Who The Web of Fear

Following their debut in 1967 in 'The Abominable Snowmen' against the 'Second Doctor' (Patrick Houghton) and returned in 1968 in 'The Web of Fear' and this is apparently one of the only remaining costume examples from that era. It was so great to see this classic monster on display.

Screen-used K9 and TARDIS MK3 from Doctor Who

And I'll finish this excursion down memory lane with my most beloved character from the original series when I was growing up, the Doctor's faithful robotic dog companion, 'K9'.

This original version is a MK 2 model who featured alongside the 'Fourth Doctor' (Tom Baker) and 'Romana' (Lalla Ward) on Brighton beach in 1980's The Leisure Hive, whilst this rigid TARDIS police box was one of two used by the Fourth Doctor through to the 'Seventh Doctor' (Sylvester McCoy) for studio recordings.

Fellow Whovians can also enjoy all these other Doctor Who costumes and props I've seen on my own personal travels through time and space.

Doctor Who poster

Doctor Who Last Christmas costumes and props on display...

With Jenna Coleman's 'Clara Oswald' getting a spectacular and distinctly Doctor Who send off this past weekend and Peter Capaldi soon to star opposite his wife 'River Song' in the 2015 Christmas Special, I thought it would be timely to look back at some fab costumes and props from 2014's festive episode, 'Last Christmas'.

Santa suit worn by Nick Frost and more costumes and props

from Doctor Who's Last Christmas

These original costumes and props, including Nick Frost's 'Santa Claus' suit and 'Ian' and 'Wolf' elf suits (worn by Dan Starkey and Nathan McMullen respectively), were photographed on display at the Doctor Who Experience exhibition in Cardiff Bay, Wales on April 20, 2015.

If you're a fan of Nick Frost, be sure to also check out his costume from the movie Paul.

Clara Oswald dressing gown costume worn by Jenna Coleman

in Doctor Who's Last Christmas

In the Christmas Special 'Clara' and the 'Doctor' meet a dream manifestation of Santa and take on the alien Dream Crabs at an arctic base in the North Pole.

If you like Jenna Coleman's pyjamas and dressing gown outfit, be sure to take a look at more Clara Oswald costumes from her time as a Companion on Doctor Who.

Dream Crab mask prop from Doctor Who's Last Christmas

These parasitic Dream Crabs, or Kantrofarri to give them their alien name, really owe a lot in their design to Alien's 'face huggers'.

If you're a Whovian, be sure to also check out more classic Doctor Who aliens, monsters and villains here on this blog.

I'm going to miss Clara and the Doctor's adventures, but am ready now for the next phase in the Time Lord's journeys through time and space.

Doctor Who Last Christmas TV poster

Signature Doctor costumes from Doctor Who on display...

If you're still struggling for Halloween costume inspiration this close to the spooky evening, I always think that the many looks of 'The Doctor' provide a wide variety of costume ideas. Here's a collection of the Gallifreyan Time Lord's signature outfits from the fifty year old British science fiction show on display at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay, Wales on April 20, 2015.

The Doctor First through Eleventh signature looks from Doctor Who

I've previously posted images of William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton's replica First and Second Doctor costumes from a previous visit to the exhibition, so we'll kick things off this time with a refurbished original costume worn by Jon Pertwee as the 'Third Doctor' incarnation.

Third Doctor costume worn by Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)

This early 70s dashing Doctor had a penchant for capes, ruffled shirts and velvet smoking jackets. His striking red cape lining was a detail they tried to incorporate into the signature look of Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor.

Fourth Doctor costume worn by Tom Baker (1974-1981)

The next regeneration of the time and space traveling Doctor is most probably his most iconic, with his multi-coloured, extra-long striped scarf.

If you're wanting an instantly recognisable Doctor Who costume, Tom Baker's look is certainly a classic (and with that scarf will keep you warm on a chilly night).

Fifth Doctor costume worn by Peter Davison (1981-1984)

Next up is Peter Davison's Edwardian cricketer ensemble, with its stripy trousers and noticeable celery stalk on the left lapel of his frock coat.

Sixth Doctor costume worn by Colin Baker (1984-1986)

Definitely the most childish and clown-like of all the Doctor's attire was that worn by Colin Baker as the Time Lord's Sixth incarnation.

This gaudy costume is like a visual assault on your senses, with a patchwork of primary colours and striped, tartan, polka dot and check fabrics, all topped off with a cat broach. This is one outfit sure to give people a fright on Halloween.

Seventh Doctor costume worn by Sylvester McCoy (1987-1989)

Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor look was much less busy and had a paisley scarf and this fabulous question mark sweater to get the 'Who' motif across. This version also sported a panama hat with paisley band and an umbrella with a question mark handle.

Eighth Doctor costume worn by Paul McGann

in The Night of the Doctor (2013) 

Paul McGann starred as the Eighth regeneration of the Time Lord in the 1996 U.S. TV movie version of Doctor Who, and you can get closer look at his Eighth Doctor costume on display from a previous visit to this BBC exhibit.

The outfit featured here was the one worn in the online mini-episode, 'The Night of the Doctor', which was a prelude to the show's 50th anniversary special. The costume beside his belongs to one of the Sisterhood of Karn, probably 'Ohila' played by Clare Higgins, who also featured in the special web episode.

War Doctor costume worn by John Hurt

in The Day of the Doctor (2013)

The next battered leather jacket, bandolier and Victorian waistcoat costume was worn by the previously never-before-seen warrior incarnation of the Doctor, aka the 'War Doctor', played by John Hurt in the 50th anniversary spectacular, 'The Day of the Doctor'.

Ninth Doctor costume worn by Christopher Eccleston (2005)

Getting back on track, and the Doctor's look was simplified when Christopher Eccleston helped revive the Time Lord and the beloved series in 2005 under the guidance of Russell T. Davies.

Tenth Doctor costume worn by David Tennant (2005-2010)

The Doctor's look evolved with David Tennant's take on the alien time traveler, as he sported a tie, pinstripe suit, light brown trench coat and Converse shoes as a counterpoint to the formality of a suit.

Eleventh Doctor costume worn by Matt Smith (2010-2013)

Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor was all about bow-ties, tweed jackets and on occasion a fez hat.

For another Matt Smith look, be sure to also check out the Eleventh Doctor's Victorian London costume from The Snowmen 2012 Christmas special.

Twelfth Doctor costume worn by Peter Capaldi (2013-Present)

And finally here's the trademark look of the latest regeneration of the Doctor played by Peter Capaldi, which features a buttoned down white shirt, waistcoat and short dark blue Crombie-style coat with red lining, although his style is definitely evolving and relaxing in stiffness in more recent episodes.

As you can see the Doctor has has more looks than you can shake a sonic screwdriver at, but if none of these appeal then his rogues gallery of Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, Zygons, Ice Warriors and more are brimming with science-ficion and time period Halloween inspiration.

Be sure to check out more original costumes from Doctor Who on display now.