BBC Worldwide has today finally announced that the Doctor Who Experience will be opening its doors to the public in Cardiff on 20th July 2012!

The attraction, which launched in London last year, will now become a permanent fixture in Cardiff Bay, located right next to where the series is now being produced at Roath Lock studios. The head of Exhibitions and Events at BBC Worldwide, Paula Al-Lach, accepted the keys to the building this afternoon. The first exhibits are now being moved in.

“The Experience sets out to engage visitors’ imaginations from the outset, immersing them into the world of Doctor Who,” said Philip Murphy, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide Live Events. “Where better to do this than Cardiff, the home of the show.”

Cardiff Council’s head of economic development, Ken Poole, added: “Doctor Who is a global brand and has really helped to boost the profile of Cardiff. This attraction will bring millions of pounds to the economy. Benefits will be immense in terms of tourism.”

The Experience, which is expected to attract at least 250,000 people a year, features an interactive walk-through challenge, in which fans step aboard – and fly – a replica of the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS. The adventure culminates in an epic 3D showdown, before visitors journey into the exhibition, the most extensive collection of props and costumes.

The museum will be updated constantly with the very latest props from the series. The Doctor’s cradle from A Good Man Goes to War, his sonic cane from Let’s Kill Hitler, and more items being kept under wraps are to be showcased in Cardiff for the first time.

Tickets for the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff will go on sale at 10am on 14th June.