Key Points
- Ianto’s Shrine, a fan-made memorial to Torchwood character Ianto Jones in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, faces removal by end of April 2026.
- Shrine maintainer Carole Anne-Hillman announced the news on X, stating: “Really sad news, afraid. Ianto’s Shrine is being taken down the end of April. I will try and take off cups and other small items. It is really sad. I am devastated.”.
- Mermaid Quay management cited health and safety issues from rotting wood and rusting ironwork as reasons for removal during boardwalk maintenance.
- A Mermaid Quay spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Ianto’s shrine at Mermaid Quay will be taken down whilst we carry out maintenance work. This work is required to ensure the lower boardwalk continues to provide a wonderful experience for all our visitors. We hope to work with the local community to explore a new plaque for Ianto once the maintenance works have completed.”.
- Petition to Save Ianto’s Shrine, launched by Jade W, has over 1,300 signatures in under 24 hours, calling for relocation or restoration.
- Jade W wrote in the petition: “Sadly due to structural decay and wood rot – Ianto’s shrine is under consideration by management of Mermaid Quay to be removed. As many of you know this is a memorial for our beloved fictional character Ianto Jones who fell to the 456. This shrine has had many visitors throughout the years and has had a variety of items on the shrine – from drawings to photos and even the occasional tie. This shrine has become a landmark for both Torchwood and Doctor Who fans. If they are considering removal, perhaps Torchwood fans could come together to come up with a solution to save the shrine. Whether that’s relocation or restoring the shrine. Let’s start something – #SaveTheShrine.”.
- The shrine, created in 2009 after Ianto Jones’s death in Torchwood, attracts global fans leaving notes, photos, flowers, LGBTQ+ tributes, and Welsh-themed memorabilia.
- Ianto Jones played by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd; shrine at Torchwood Institute filming location.
- Carole Anne-Hillman, maintainer for nearly 10 years, added: “It became part of my life, eight times a year. Now all I’m left with are fond memories and a back bedroom filled with decorations. I hope what they plan to replace it with, is worth losing thousands of visitors, who come to Cardiff every year, just to visit Ianto’s Shrine.”.
- Petition signatory Will from Parramatta, Australia: “I’m from Australia, over 24 hours travel from Cardiff. I planned to visit in 2028 and see the shrine, but I won’t be able to if it gets taken down. This place represents a long-lasting, passionate community and still has dedicated fans invested in its survival. Please save our shrine, or at least save the pictures and gifts so it can be recreated close by.”.
- Dave from Stoke-on-Trent: “If the shrine goes then so will the Torchwood and Doctor Who fans from all over the world..! I last visited the shrine for my Birthday in 2024 and looking at it makes you feel apart of a community. It was also my first time in Cardiff and one of those many reasons I came here. It’s the many people who have taken pictures and traveled far and wide to see this shrine would make it mental for seeing it disappear for good. Repair it or make it better for all Doctor Who & Torchwood fans. This is our opportunity to actually save Ianto. Don’t let this amazing space be taken away. #SaveIantosshrine.”.
- Kieran from Rochester: “I visited the shrine in 2013 when on holiday. Whilst it is a shame it is in a state of degradation it would be worth the people of Cardiff City Council & Those in charge of the Cardiff Bay Area to preserve or protect this landmark. Since Doctor Who returned to screens in 2005, The Cardiff Bay Area has been a tourism hotspot for Fans. With the loss of the experience in 2017. Ianto’s Shrine is one of the last Who based vestiges of the area. To lose this would be a loss for tourism to Cardiff.”.
- Article by David Owens of Nation.Cymru reports the shrine as a highly rated Google Maps attraction, with fan Roger commenting: “This is one of the highest rated attractions in the bay on Google Maps. It would be worth Mermaid Quay spending some money to do it properly, but does that need permission from the Beeb who are well known for their opposition to nice things for Cardiff.” .
- WalesOnline reports outrage: “Outrage has erupted among fans following the announcement that a memorial dedicated to a fictional character will be dismantled at a popular Cardiff attraction. Ianto’s Shrine, which has brought joy to visitors for nearly two decades, is slated for removal by the end of April.”.
Cardiff Bay (Cardiff Daily) March 05, 2026 – Fans of the BBC sci-fi series Torchwood have launched a fervent backlash against Mermaid Quay management’s decision to dismantle the beloved Ianto’s Shrine, a grassroots tourist landmark in Cardiff Bay that has drawn visitors worldwide since 2009.
What is Ianto’s Shrine?
Ianto’s Shrine emerged as an impromptu memorial following the dramatic death of Ianto Jones, portrayed by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd, in a 2009 Torchwood episode where he succumbed to the 456 threat. Located in Mermaid Quay, it occupies a spot depicting the Torchwood Institute, a key filming site linked to Doctor Who. Over the years, devotees have adorned it with heartfelt tributes including drawings, photographs, flowers, ties, notes sharing LGBTQ+ stories—reflecting Ianto’s same-sex relationship—and items celebrating Torchwood’s Welsh roots.
As reported by David Owens of Nation.Cymru, the shrine has evolved into “a focal point for sci-fi fans who have descended on the unique tourist attraction” and stands as one of Cardiff Bay’s highest-rated spots on Google Maps.
Why Are Plans Underway to Remove the Shrine?
Mermaid Quay management informed shrine custodian Carole Anne-Hillman of the impending demolition by late April 2026, primarily due to deteriorating conditions. Photographs shared by Hillman on X highlight “rotting wood” and “rusting ironwork,” prompting health and safety interventions amid broader boardwalk maintenance.
David Owens of Nation.Cymru detailed how Hillman, who has tended the site for nearly a decade, received the news directly from management. The spokesperson for Mermaid Quay elaborated on the necessity: “This work is required to ensure the lower boardwalk continues to provide a wonderful experience for all our visitors.”
Who Announced the Shrine’s Demolition?
Carole Anne-Hillman, known online as @wallforianto15 and the shrine’s long-time guardian, first broke the news on X on March 3, 2026. She posted: “Really sad news, afraid. Ianto’s Shrine is being taken down the end of April. I will try and take off cups and other small items. It is really sad. I am devastated.” Hillman later reflected: “I’ve looked after the Shrine for almost 10 years, and I’m devastated. It became part of my life, eight times a year. Now all I’m left with are fond memories and a back bedroom filled with decorations.”
In a follow-up shared by Nation.Cymru, she questioned the trade-off: “I hope what they plan to replace it with, is worth losing thousands of visitors, who come to Cardiff every year, just to visit Ianto’s Shrine.”
What Do Fans Say About the Plans?
Outrage has swept through the global Torchwood and Doctor Who communities, with a petition titled “Save Ianto’s Shrine” amassing over 1,300 signatures within 24 hours of launch. As covered by Nation.Cymru, signatories from afar voiced profound loss.
Will from Parramatta, Australia, pleaded in his petition note: “I’m from Australia, over 24 hours travel from Cardiff. I planned to visit in 2028 and see the shrine, but I won’t be able to if it gets taken down. This place represents a long-lasting, passionate community and still has dedicated fans invested in its survival. Please save our shrine, or at least save the pictures and gifts so it can be recreated close by.”
Dave from Stoke-on-Trent urged: “If the shrine goes then so will the Torchwood and Doctor Who fans from all over the world..! I last visited the shrine for my Birthday in 2024… Repair it or make it better for all Doctor Who & Torchwood fans. This is our opportunity to actually save Ianto. Don’t let this amazing space be taken away. #SaveIantosshrine.”
Kieran from Rochester highlighted tourism impacts: “I visited the shrine in 2013… Ianto’s Shrine is one of the last Who based vestiges of the area. To lose this would be a loss for tourism to Cardiff.”
WalesOnline captured the sentiment: “People are angry that tributes are being removed from a Cardiff tourist spot for a man who never existed… Outrage has erupted among fans.”
What Does the Petition Propose?
Petition originator Jade W outlined the shrine’s significance and alternatives in her call to action, as quoted extensively by David Owens of Nation.Cymru: “This shrine has become a landmark for both Torchwood and Doctor Who fans. If they are considering removal, perhaps Torchwood fans could come together to come up with a solution to save the shrine. Whether that’s relocation or restoring the shrine. Let’s start something – #SaveTheShrine. Sign the petition. Post your photos with the shrine with this hashtag and with myself in, tag Mermaid Quay too. Let’s show them how much we love it.”
The effort encourages fans to rally under #SaveTheShrine, sharing memories to pressure for preservation.
What Is Mermaid Quay’s Response?
While confirming the takedown, the Mermaid Quay spokesperson expressed openness to compromise:
“We hope to work with the local community to explore a new plaque for Ianto once the maintenance works have completed.”
This nod to collaboration has not quelled fan demands for fuller restoration.
Nation.Cymru noted management’s focus on safety during essential works, yet fans like commenter Roger argue: “It would be worth Mermaid Quay spending some money to do it properly.”
How Does This Fit Cardiff’s Sci-Fi Legacy?
Cardiff Bay boasts a storied sci-fi heritage, once home to the Doctor Who Experience, which drew massive crowds from 2012 until its 2017 closure due to lease expiry. That attraction, run by BBC Worldwide under a five-year sub-lease from Cardiff Council, featured interactive sets, props like Matt Smith’s TARDIS replica, and events, but ended amid financial shortfalls and regeneration plans.
Petitions then, like one nearing 10,000 signatures organised by Bex Ferriday, failed to save it, with council statements emphasising temporary intent. Kieran’s petition comment links the shrine directly: “With the loss of the experience in 2017. Ianto’s Shrine is one of the last Who based vestiges.” As Radio Times reported in 2017, fans hoped for relocation, but none materialised.
Today’s fight echoes that, positioning Ianto’s Shrine as a vital remnant amid waning physical ties to the franchises filmed locally.
What Happens Next for the Shrine?
The petition remains active, urging fans to sign and share under #SaveTheShrine. Hillman plans to salvage small items like cups, while Mermaid Quay proceeds with maintenance. Community input could shape a plaque replacement, but calls for restoration or relocation grow louder.
