Dr Who fans are clamouring to try new immersive TARDIS experience opening at home of TV series director near Sleaford

The Console Room has been created over two years by a small team of makers, builders, creatives and lifelong Doctor Who fans, with extraordinary attention to detail, a 100 per cent screen accurate recreation of this iconic sci fi set originally designed by Mike Kelt.

Combining immersive storytelling, puzzle-solving, practical effects, lighting, sound and hand-built set pieces, the experience is designed to make visitors feel as though they have stepped straight into a classic era of the programme from the fifth Doctor Peter Davison graced our screens.

The project is led by Brendan Sheppard, a former BBC Director who worked on the Doctor Who DVD range and who has written and directed the interactive experience. Brendan moved to South Kyme six years ago and thought he had space at the end of his garden to create something unique.

He drew upon a talented creative team, including friend Simon Nash, who created the TARDIS Police Box for the BBC TV series, and Darryl Harrison, who has produced the electronic wizardry to be found inside and custom 3D-printed controls, console elements, lighting effects and interactive features.

Brendan said: “This has been a dream project and a real labour of love. We wanted to create something that feels magical, authentic and full of surprises, a place where fans can step into the 1983 Console Room, become part of the story, and experience Doctor Who in a way they never have before, all in the massive custom built studio in our back garden!”

Guests will begin with a 20-minute immersive game, a brand new mini episode of Doctor Who awaits starring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor, who kindly donated his time to the project, where guests must work together to

solve clues, follow the story and defeat the Master at his own game! Along the way, visitors can expect special surprise enemies, hidden details, unexpected twists and plenty of moments created especially for fans!

Once the game is complete, guests will unlock access to the main event: a 30-minute TARDIS Console Room experience, where they can explore the set, interact with the controls, take photographs, film content of the copious memorabilia and enjoy a unique opportunity to spend time inside one of the most recognisable rooms in British science fiction!

The attraction also features a full-size Police Box at its entrance, the Master’s TARDIS exterior, and even the return of a few old friends – or enemies?

There has been painstaking attention to detail, including voice-activated lighting of the walls complete with roundels made from an original mould used for the show, interactive digital read-outs on the console and even Doctor Who quotes on sofa cushions.

Brendan said every element has been designed to create an experience that feels nostalgic, cinematic and alive. The studio itself was custom built to house the experience.

There was a special opening of the new visitor attraction for fans, contributors to the project and the media on July 13. Special guest was Sophie Aldred, who played Doctor’s assistant Ace, who was very impressed, having admitted she rarely got to film with the TARDIS set during her time on the show.

She said: “It’s incredible and so much better than the real thing! When we were doing it it was just a couple of wooden walls with the roundels and none of the lighting and effects.”

She said it triggered fond memories of her days as the companion to Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor.

There is also a book called Creating The Console room now on Amazon which has sold nearly 1000 copies!

Timed visitor slots for four players at a time are now available, with opportunities for guests to enjoy the immersive game, the Console Room experience and a range of photo and video moments throughout the visit.

Brendan said: “We first introduced it to some test audiences and one guy drove all the way from South Wales. We are booked solid throughout July, as we will only be opening at weekends, and there was one slot left in August.

"People are coming from all over the country and from Australia. So far we have had a lot of die-hard fans from the older generation bringing along fans of the new series. You don’t often get to touch and play with a 1983 TV set!”

He said the new story is linked to a storyline called The Five Doctors, which has found a strong following with new fans too.

"My Instagram has gone nuts and Dr Who magazine is going to cover it too.”

For more information visit: www.theconsoleroom.co.uk