In the early 1970s, the BBC decided to launch a series of exhibitions featuring monsters and props from Doctor Who. Over the next three decades, untold thousands of children (and adults too!) were thrilled by a mix of innovative, exciting and stunning extravaganzas! For many fans, these exhibitions were their first and only real chance to get close-up to their favourite TV programme … and the memories they share in this innovative documentary series are bound together by interviews with experts and people who actually worked at them! The museum re-opened in 2021 after extensive restoration work and we tell the story of that opening … and the incredible journey that led to that memorable day!

In April 1983, Roger Stevens and James Russell were given “Access All Areas” passes to the BBC’s Doctor Who celebrations at Longleat. Armed with a Ferguson Videostar camera they set out to record as much of the event as they could. While the BBC’s official footage amounts to only a few minutes for news broadcasts, James and Roger recorded several hours, and their material includes interviews with both Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker. Some of this material has been used in other productions by both Reeltime Pictures and BBC Video, but the original tapes were thought to be lost forever – until rediscovered earlier this year. So now enjoy another chance to take a trip to Longleat in 1983. The sound may not be perfect and the pictures come from ageing VHS tapes – but the atmosphere is unmistakable. So avoid the queues, and get to the front of the line with a trip down memory lane!

Video footage telling the story of the biggest Doctor Who (1963) convention ever in the UK, "Longleat 83", which was put together to celebrate the 20th anniversary in 1983.

The Doctor is everyone’s favourite Time Lord. And Tom Baker is everyone’s favourite Doctor. With his manic grin, his wild hair and his mile long scarf, Baker became the definitive Doctor. His wicked sence of humour and naturally gentle personality added whole new dimensions to the character. This video includes a highly revealing interview with Baker that’s never been seen on television or video. Margarita in hand, he soaks up the California sunshine and talks openly about his time as the Doctor.