Earlier this week we finally made it to the Doctor Who Experience, which opened last month at London’s Olympia Two.
Entering through a crack in the wall after a fun recap montage of last year’s series, we begin the much-hyped walk-through experience. What could have been spectacularly cringey is pulled off better than we could possibly have hoped, as we’re taken on a brand new adventure by a specially-recorded Matt Smith, on crowd-pleasing form as ever. Whether it’s entering a grand recreation of the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS (complete with shaky floor), coming face to face with the colourful new Daleks or dodging 3D Weeping Angels, the all-adult visitors in our group each retain a crazed grin throughout.
A huge amount of care and thought has clearly been put into the experience and this respect continues with the expansive exhibition which follows. Featuring an impressively thorough collection of original costumes, props and monsters (from classic Cybermen and Sontarans through to the Face of Boe and Slitheen), many exhibits are in incredible condition for their age and, with few glass cases or barriers, it’s exhilarating to get so close – and yes, to pose for tragic photos.
The highlight of the display is undoubtedly the original TARDIS set from David Tennant’s era, however. Meticulously reconstructed following its destruction in ‘The End Of Time: Part 2’, you can really appreciate the scale and design far more than it was possible to do so onscreen.
Opening times are 10am-6pm daily and tickets are on sale at doctorwhoexperience.com.