Clarifying: you mean the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, right? Yes, I believe it's permanent. The fast trains London to Cardiff are not much over two hours, I think (you can check at www.thetrainline.com), so I assume it would be doable as a long day trip, though staying overnight would let you do and see more in Cardiff (the Castle, for instance).

Cardiff can be done as a Daytrip. We left around 8am and arrived about 10am. I've never been to the DW exhibit. But as Who and Torchwood fan, a trip to the Millenium Centre and the nearby fountain is a must as is the Bay area. We took the 5pm train back to London and were satisfied. I call it the Whovian Mecca.

tahl- yes, Cardiff. I saw where it had moved previously, so I wanted to confirm it would still be in Cardiff when we are in London in June. Thanks for the link. It looks to be a 2hr trip and lots of times to choose from, so not too bad with the longer days.

emily71- glad to see someone had done it as a daytrip. I'm sure once my girls really start investigating all the Whovian connections, we may be wise to spend the night in Cardiff! Just have to figure out how to make it fit with the plans we have in place already.
Thanks again to you both!

Having just visited the DW experience with a Who fanatic, I can safely say your kids will love it. The exhibition is fabulous, and apparently the bay area is very significant: 'eeek, this is Torchwoods' base, this is where the earth splits in two' or some such. I wasn't paying enough attention.

Kate-
yes Whovians are a unique bunch! There's been quite an upsurge in fan mania here in the states amongst the teen/young adult set. Perhaps because it is more widely available for viewing here? Not sure, but my girls regularly attend Dr Who parties when it airs here complete with fish fingers and custard (did I get that right?). Oh, they dress up as characters too (I say while shaking my head). I don't "get" it, but I am happy to give them the experience of being where the Doctor has been

Fish fingers and custard?? Not together I hope, that sounds revolting LOL.

Fish fingers and custard? Surely not...

I don't think this was the Doctor's version, but it does sound tasty:
http://altonbrown.com/2012/08/a-meal-fit-for-a-doctor/

Lee Ann

Kate & Heimdall-
You cannot quite judge until you have tried the deliciosity that is fish fingers and custard. Speaking now is none other than rmmom's eldest and most superior Whovian daughter. Indeed, it may seem as if fish fingers and custard would be quite the revolting mixture, however, in the 5th seasons premier, otherwise known as Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor's) first episode, he arrives at little 6 year old Amelia Pond's cottage in London. Since he has just regenerated, he is quite hungry, however does not know what he (or his new body) enjoys. She cooks him up many things, including bacon, toast, and beans, and he rejects every one of them. Until he decides he wants fish fingers and custard. It has now become a tradition amoung all Whovians to eat said delicious meal made famous by The Doctor Himself.

- Your fellow Whovian.

Yup, I got hacked by my kid! And, yes, I agree, the combo of fish and custard sounds absolutely disgusting

Lee Ann- I have a feeling that the show's writers may have meant the "custard" to have been more like the "tardis" (tartar)sauce in your recipe. Maybe a US/British translation issue! My kids and their whovian friends use the sweet stuff. Blech

I figured the writers meant the kind of custard you would get with dessert in the UK, but Lord knows what Matt Smith had to eat in that scene. Alton Brown's version sounds more appealing!

Lee Ann

Hey daughter Whovian,

I didn't even know that fish had fingers, so maybe you are unto something there!

Thanks for the Alton Brown version/idea - we are watching some of the Dr. Who Christmas specials and having Dr. Who inspired food as part of our count-down to Christmas. Was not thrilled with the idea of custard and fish, lol.

And, yes, indeed, the "custard" is the dessert kind - like American vanilla or banana pudding. Not tartar sauce. The fish fingers are what we in the States call fish sticks.

In an interview, Matt Smith said the fish fingers used for filming were actually cake!

In an interview, Matt Smith said the fish fingers used for filming were actually cake!

Cake and custard I could handle! How Matt Smith must be enjoying the thought that he persuaded his fans to eat fish fingers & custard when he never actually ate it himself!

Hmmm, the question is.... do I tell them it was cake, or let them continue eating fried fish sticks with custard? Not a hard decision really, fish it is! (payback for being teenagers and all)