Upper Boat Studios

Coordinates: 51°34′33″N 3°18′00″W / 51.575763°N 3.3°W Upper Boat Studios was a television studio complex operated by BBC Wales and based in Upper Boat, a village on the outskirts of Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, near Cardiff in Wales. The studios were officially opened on 27 July 2006 by Welsh Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies,^[1] for the purpose of producing Doctor Who and its spin-offs. The onsite canteen was called the 'Blue Box Cafe', referring to both its outside appearance and as a reference to the TARDIS.^[2]

By 2011, Doctor Who was the only programme still based at Upper Boat, following the move of several productions to the new Roath Lock studios. Doctor Who itself relocated to Roath Lock throughout 2012, with the last filming day at Upper Boat on 11 May 2012.^[3] The facility was not expected to be used as a studio again.^[4]

Despite the studio closure, production on Sherlock series 3 continued at the studios until September 2013, making it the most recent production based there.^[5]

Productions

Productions based at Upper Boat Studios

Title	Genre	# of Episodes	Produced from	Notes
Sherlock[6]	Crime drama	9 + pilot	2009–2013	Produced by Hartswood Films West
Doctor Who	Science fiction drama	66	2006–2012	Moved from Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Moved to Roath Lock in 2012, midway through production of Series 7[7]
Doctor Who Confidential	Making-of documentary	60	2006–2011	Moved from Unit Q2 in Newport
The Sarah Jane Adventures	Science fiction children's drama	53	2006–2010	Entire series produced at Upper Boat Studios
Torchwood	Science fiction drama	31	2006–2008	Moved to Los Angeles
Torchwood Declassified	Making-of documentary	27	2006–2008	Moved to Los Angeles
Totally Doctor Who	Children's magazine programme	12	2007	Moved from BBC Wales
Sarah Jane's Alien Files	Children's compilation programme	6	2010	Entire series produced at Upper Boat Studios

Productions partially filmed at Upper Boat Studios

Title	Genre	# of Episodes	Produced from	Notes
Upstairs Downstairs	Costume drama	3	2010	Kitchen and servant's hall sets[6] Moved to Roath Lock

References

1. "BBC Studios". Doctor Who Locations Guide. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
2. "Arthurian Legend". Doctor Who Confidential. 15 May 2010. BBC Three.
3. "Last day of Doctor Who filming at Upper Boat...". Twitter. 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
4. "That's it, I'm afraid.". Twitter. 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
5. "Still at Upper Boat Studios.". Twitter. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
6. "Upstairs, Downstairs: The Return of a Classic". The Stage. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2011-05-11.
7. "Work starts on BBC Wales drama village in Cardiff Bay". BBC News. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2011-05-11.