Every year, according to Visit Britain, more than 31 million international tourists flock to London. For many, London represents the financial capital of the world, a place where they can form lucrative business partnerships. For others, the city’s wide range of museums, from the Natural History Museum to the Museum of London, are great opportunities to experience and study important moments from the past. For a growing number, however, London is the home of Doctor Who.
As the 13% of Londoners employed by the tourism industry can tell you, one of the biggest groups of tourists driving London’s 1.8% growth in tourism in 2013, according to London Loves Business, are Whovians. Whovians, fans of Doctor Who, are found throughout the world. In fact, for the recent 50th anniversary special, according to BBC News, 10.6 million people from over 70 countries tuned-in to watch.
While it’s true that most of the Doctor’s adventures take place throughout time and space, many of his most famous exploits happened right here in London. Subsequently, many Whovians book the best hotels London has to offer to give themselves easy access to their favorite Doctor Who landmarks.
Survive the Cybermen in The Shard
The Shard, designed by architect Renzo Piano, is the tallest building in the European Union, according to Reuters. However, its distinction as the site of one of the Doctor’s greatest stories sets it apart for Whovians. In a two-part series beginning with the 2006 episode “Army of Ghosts,” David Tennant’s 10th Doctor battles the cybermen, eventually losing his companions to an alternate Earth. The Shard, at the time still under construction, was completed using computer generation and sets meant to mimic the future interior of the building. Looking for hotel reservations in London’s Southwark area is the best way to stay close to the Shard.
Battle the Daleks at Canary Wharf
Following their resurrection thanks to Torchwood’s blunderings, the Daleks are set lose on London, eventually finding their way to Canary Wharf. Before losing companions Rose and Mickey to a parallel world, the Doctor and his friends make their final stand, defending London’s citizens from the world-ending Daleks. Fans of the Daleks can get easy access to Canary Wharf by staying at some of the best hotels in Camden Town. From your Camden hotel rooms, it’s just a quick tube ride to Canary Wharf, according to Lonondrum.com.
Save London on the River Thames
In the first story of Christopher Eccleston’s tenure as the ninth Doctor, he and companion Rose find themselves under siege by an army of living mannequins. Finding their way to the River Thames, they’re able to discover the invasion’s ground zero, eventually fighting off Earth’s would be conquerors. Narrow your hotel search to those in Camden, located next door to the Westminster area of the River Thames, to get easy access to this classic Doctor Who filming location.
If you’re a fan of Doctor Who, then heading to London represents the best opportunity to be the Doctor, if only for a day. Craft your own Doctor Who experience by staying in the best hotels the city has to offer, but be sure not to forget your sonic-screwdriver! Geronimo!
Not a fan of the article using only 9 and 10 episodes, then saying geronimo at the end.