Last Alteration: Sunday 07 April 2013
National Showcaves Centre for Wales
National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Dan-yr-Ogof, Abercrave, Swansea, SA9 1GJ
The National Showcaves of Wales is a national nature reserve which highlights Welsh mining in the area. Three caves are open to the public, with information on how they were mined and on local archaeology. There are also dinosaurs(!) and a farm to explore.
Admission: 6 Sep 2009: Admission to the Showcaves is currently £12.00 for adults; this gives you access to all the attractions at the centre
How to get here:
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Road: A465 - Follow the A465 to Glyn-neath, taking the exit into the town. Continue onto the A4109 (Inter Valley Road), and then bear onto the A4221 at Banwen/Dyffryn Cellwen. Continue on to Abercraf, and then turn right onto the A4067. Continue along here until you pass Craig-Y-Nos, and the show caves are on the left just before you reach Glyntawe. (10.8 miles, 16m) +
car park
Access: admissionStatus: recognisableCathedral Cave
The Pirate Planet
Filmed: 4 May 1978
The Doctor, Romana and Kimus explore the old Zanak mines.
The Pirate Planet
Filmed: 4 May 1978
The guards attempt to capture the Doctor's group.
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»Photograph taken: 6th September 2009 by Chuck Foster
"Typically I didn't realise that this is the reverse of the direction that you see in the screenshot! Its a little further down the cave towards its entrance."
The Pirate Planet
Filmed: 4 May 1978
The Doctor, Romana and Kimus flee the guards.
Other nearby locations:
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Craig-Y-Nos Castle Hotel (Tooth and Claw). Road (0.8 miles, 1m) : Turn right out of the caves road onto A4067; the hotel will be on the left.
Additional locations as the crow flies:
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Penwyllt Inn (Countrycide): 0.95 miles. 
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Powell Street (Countrycide): 1.08 miles.
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Penwyllt Quarry (Countrycide): 1.11 miles.
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Maesgwyn Windfarm (): 4.75 miles.
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Pont Melin-fach (Robot of Sherwood): 5.45 miles. 
Production Notes:
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David Sibley (Pralix): "I recall that the location shoot was much more relaxed and fun than the studio, which was a constant strain due to effects setup. The caves were very cold to stand around in with those costumes!"
Trivia:
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5 May 1978: During the day's filming, Tom Baker was asked to open the new Jubilee Passage in the Dan-yr-Ogof cave system. (src :"On Location" © Richard Bignell)
Further links about the location:
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National Showcaves for Wales - Official site for the caves
Related Stories
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The Pirate Planet [4 May 1978] (Cathedral Cave): The Doctor, Romana and Kimus explore the interior of Zanak
Information, downloads, photographs and other media are provided for reference and for personal use only (planning visits etc.) - they remain the copyright of their respective authors and may not be duplicated on any other website or media without prior permission.
All screen captures are the copyright of the BBC and appear here as reference to illustrate the location in comparison with how it looked at the time of filming and the present day; no attempt is made to supercede this or any other copyright.
