At the end of the school year I went on a school trip to Wales, apart from getting to see a bit of my country before I migrate, for a couple of years at least. On the schedule were visits to Big Pit and Dan yr Ogof caves, both locations used for Pirate Planet episode 2. As soon as the kids were out the way, I grabbed some photos...
The mine head most prominently appears first making the Pirate mine system look exactly like the Welsh coal mine it is...
Although the heroes keep running right the next shot has them doubling back into the red brick building on the left and running down the ramp inside into the base of the mine head.
The bottom of the ramp leads into the bay with the cages that descend into the mine. Although clearly the same location, specific details are hard to identify today and the cage appears rather more substantial than in 1978.
The next location shots sent in the mine has the action move to Dan yr Ogof caves which are rather more ragged and natural in appearance than Big Pit. The caves are extensive but the filming took place in the large Cathedral cave, largely around one bend in the cave system.
The first shot of the Doctor and Romana is on this section of the cave, today brightly lit in yellow light the shape of the tunnel and markings on the wall distinctive.
Shortly after the Captain’s guards arrive and the hero’s run around the corner above with the following shot looking at the same corner but from the other side...
A quick trip to Wales and two well known tourist spots gave a little view of a story less well known for its location work!
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