New ground-breaking Doctor Who exhibition lands at World Museum

The blockbuster exhibition Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder has its world premiere at World Museum from 27 May – 30 October 2022.

This ground-breaking new exhibition explores the science behind the global hit series Doctor Who and gives fans a chance to experience the Doctor’s adventures from a scientific perspective. 

Produced by leading experiential design experts Sarner International under license from BBC Studios, this new exhibition plunges fans of all ages into a scientific universe to explore the ways in which science has played a part in the longest running science fiction show in the world, Doctor Who. The eight zones set within this educational exhibition cover a diverse selection of exciting scientific topics while drawing in content from across the full canon of the TV show.

Through a range of hands-on immersive experiences and interactive content, visitors can journey through Cosmic Curiosities, while discovering more about the time traveling Police Box in the TARDIS Tech room, learning about the science behind time travel and whether it really is possible, or get up close with some of the weird and wonderful characters that have graced our screens in the Monster Vault. The exhibition gives visitors the chance to engage with rare, behind the scenes artefacts some of which has been procured from the BBC’s own archive.

VIP contributors to the exhibition include narration from Doctor Who writer and co-creator of BBC’s Sherlock Mark Gatiss, Space Scientist and presenter of BBC’s The Sky At Night Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and Zoë Wanamaker CBE, reprising her role as the iconic Lady Cassandra for the first time since 2006.

Fiona Philpott, Director of Exhibitions at National Museums Liverpool, said:

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming the world premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder to World Museum. We’re so lucky to be the first museum in the world to host this must-see experience, which offers exclusive insight for Doctor Who buffs, science fiction fans and anybody else with a curious mind.

“Visitors to the exhibition can also travel through space and time at World Museum’s immersive Planetarium and continue their explorations into the biodiversity of our planet with our Natural History & Sciences galleries. Come to Liverpool to experience this exhibition before anybody else!”

Ed Cookson, Projects Director, Sarner International:

“For almost 60 years Doctor Who has been exploring mind-bending scientific developments. The iconic characters, monsters, stories, and settings of the television series provide a perfect guide through the wondrous worlds of space, time and science.”

Doctor Who has a strong connection to Liverpool. Earlier this year, John Bishop joined an impressive list of Liverpool-born actors to appear on the show. The legendary Tom Baker, who grew up on Scotland Road, played the much-loved Fourth Doctor in the mid-1970s, assisted by Liverpool actress Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith. Paul McGann, of the famous Liverpool acting dynasty, played the Eighth Doctor in a one-off TV film in 1996, later reprising his role in a short film for the BBC Studios series’ 50th anniversary in 2013. And in 2008, Kensington-born David Morrissey played The Next Doctor in a Christmas special alongside David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor.

A special Liverpool Connections area within the exhibition delve deeper into the links between the classic TV show and the city of Liverpool. Not only can visitors discover more about the many Merseyside stars who have featured in Doctor Who – from Sir Ken Dodd OBE to John Bishop – but this area will also explore the surprising tale of when the Beatles almost met the Daleks, and the story behind the “Mad Mole” of Edge Hill Joseph Williamson’s inclusion in Season 13 of the TV show.

Adult tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the day – concession rates apply. Tickets for members are free.

In addition to free entry to the exhibition, members receive limitless free entry to all other exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes and invitations to exclusive events.

For further information and to book your visit to experience Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, click here.