Right then, gather round sci-fi nerds, Whovians, and anyone whoâs ever cried at a TV show like it personally betrayed them.
Because a proper bit of fan history in Wales is about to disappear.
After 17 years, the famous shrine dedicated to Ianto Jones from the sci-fi spin-off Torchwood is finally being removed from Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay.
And honestly, butt⊠it feels like the end of an era.
đȘŠ The Most Welsh Sci-Fi Shrine Ever Built
If youâve ever wandered around Cardiff looking for Torchwood filming spots (and letâs be honest â thousands of fans have), you probably stumbled across the Ianto Jones memorial.
It started back in 2009, after one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire Doctor Who universe.
During the brutal storyline Torchwood: Children of Earth, fans watched Ianto meet a tragic end⊠and the fandom absolutely lost it.
Cue an outpouring of grief.
Fans began leaving tributes down at Cardiff Bay:
đč Flowers
đž Photos
đ Letters
đȘȘ Torchwood badges
â Even the odd teabag (because Ianto, obviously)
What started as a few small tributes turned into a full-blown shrine that lasted nearly two decades.
Not bad for a fictional character, mun.
đ A Global Pilgrimage Spot For Whovians
The wild thing is just how big the shrine became.
Over the years, fans travelled from all over the world to visit Cardiff Bay just to see it.
Tourists from:
đșđž America
đ©đȘ Germany
đŠđș Australia
đŻđ” Japan
âŠall stopping in Wales to pay tribute to a character from a cult sci-fi show.
Cardiff quietly became a pilgrimage site for Torchwood fans.
Proper lush, that.
â ïž So Why Is It Being Removed?
Sadly, the shrine has started showing its age.
After 17 years of Welsh wind, rain, and seaside weather, the memorial area has deteriorated and needs maintenance.
Local authorities have confirmed the shrine will now be removed for:
âą Safety reasons
âą Weather damage
âą Site maintenance
In other words⊠time caught up with it.
Even Torchwood canât fight Welsh coastal weather forever.
đ Fans Are Gutted
For many fans, the shrine wasnât just about a TV character.
It became a place that represented:
âš One of the most emotional moments in modern sci-fi
đłïžâđ LGBTQ+ representation in genre TV
đ€ A real sense of community among fans
And the fact it lasted 17 years tells you how powerful that connection was.
Thatâs longer than some bands stay together, mind.
đž The Riff Report Verdict
Letâs be honestâŠ
Itâs mad in the best possible way that a fictional Welsh tea-making Torchwood employee ended up with a shrine that lasted nearly two decades.
But thatâs fandom for you.
Music fans build statues to guitar heroes.
Football fans worship club legends.
Sci-fi fans?
They build shrines in Cardiff Bay.
And honestlyâŠ
Thatâs proper rock ânâ roll behaviour if you ask us.
đ One Thingâs For Sure
The shrine might disappearâŠ
âŠbut the legend of Ianto Jones isnât going anywhere.
And somewhere in the Whoniverse, the Doctorâs probably smiling at the idea that fans cared enough to remember.
đ€ What do you think, Riff Report crew?
Did you ever visit the Ianto shrine in Cardiff Bay?
Drop your stories below â letâs hear them, mun.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene specialâfrom legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether heâs battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, heâs always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When heâs not writing or interviewing artists, youâll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than musicâtheyâre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatâs exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. đ€
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