The Doctor Who Christmas special is just around the corner now as we head towards the big day. The Christmas special – on at 5.10pm on BBC One – sees the fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and new character Joy follow a hotel chain that has got hold of time travel and uses that to sell stays throughout history

But it is not that long ago that a Christmas special had scenes filmed in Bristol. Last year’s Christmas special, titled The Church on Ruby Road, had scenes filmed in Bristol in a long-running association with the region dating back to 1975.

Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa is spotted filming in Bristol (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

Clifton became the latest location to be featured in the iconic series. The corner of Frederick Place and Wetherell Place were home to the TARDIS as it was being filmed.

The nearby streets of Bruton Place and Park Place were used as a double for a Notting Hill Christmas location, as the streets were covered with decorations. Street signs for ‘Minto Road’ and ‘Forebridge Street’ in ‘W11, the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’ were added.

Doctor Who filming in Bristol (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

A Routemaster bus, London bus stops and black cabs were part of the set, as well as bins and post boxes marked as belonging to the London borough. Bristol also provided the scenery for the 60th anniversary special called ‘The Giggle’ which debuted earlier this month.

In The Church on Ruby Road, the Doctor comes face to face with mysterious goblins as Ruby is introduced. Not much is known about Ruby as she was abandoned as a baby on Christmas Eve. 

This article was first published in December 2023 and was republished in December 2024.