 The read @-@ through for " The Bells of Saint John " took place on 19 September 2012 at Roath Lock . It is the first Doctor Who episode to be directed by Colm McCarthy . Filming began on 8 October ; some occurring in London , at the Westminster Bridge and alongside the River Thames , with motorbike scenes at the London locations shot around 16 October 2012 . The rooftop scenes were filmed at Grange St Paul 's Hotel . The location was intended to be in Covent Garden , but was changed to a location with a better view of the Shard . 
