# @southwaleslife on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DVirhG-jE9C
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61414682-southwaleslife-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/962c1fa348.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-03-06T11:56:23.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** South Wales Life Magazine (@southwaleslife) — https://gondola.cc/southwaleslife

## Caption

As we sat at Cardiff Bay mermaidquay ready to take some new pictures of IANTO’S Shrine, we noticed one thing. 

Visitors were excitedly moving towards it with friends telling them all about it and what it means to this place in Cardiff. 

The questions they asked were simple. 

What is Ianto’s Shrine… and why will it be so sorely missed?

Tucked away at Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay is a small but incredibly meaningful tribute known as Ianto’s Shrine. For 17 years, fans have been leaving messages, photos, flags and mementos here to honour Ianto Jones, a beloved character from the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood. 

Played by Gareth David-Lloyd, Ianto began as the quietly efficient tea-maker for the Torchwood team, but quickly became one of the show’s most loved characters. Loyal, brave and quietly heroic, his story,  and tragic death in the series,  left a lasting mark on fans around the world.

In 2009, heartbroken viewers started leaving tributes at this exact spot in Cardiff Bay, where key scenes from the show were filmed. What began as a few notes soon grew into a living memorial, a place fans still travel from across the globe to visit, reflect, and add something of their own.

But, after nearly two decades, the shrine is scheduled to be removed this April.

For many, it’s more than just a fan tribute. It’s a symbol of community, storytelling, and how deeply fictional characters can connect with real people.

So, if you’ve ever loved Torchwood, or simply want to see a unique piece of television history, you’ll need to make the trip to Cardiff Bay before it disappears.

Because Ianto’s Shrine isn’t just a wall of messages.

It’s 17 years of love from fans, and that’s something truly special.

johnscotbarrowman gdavidlloyd russelltdavies63 #torchwood #cardiffbay #doctorwho

## Stats

- **Views:** 872
- **Likes:** 65
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 2

## Tags

torchwood, doctorwho, cardiffbay

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