Transporting us from 1950s London, to the 19th Century, Kent has been the background to blockbuster films and series for years. Kent is a very versatile area for filming, as there's a bit of everything, from coastal regions to countryside villages, from busy towns to tranquil woodlands, there's something for every director to love. So whether you're a film and TV buff or you just want to know more about what's going on in the area, here are some of the best films and shows filmed in Kent.
The Crown
Released in 2016 with a 5th season renewed for the end of 2022, the crown follows the story and history of the royal family. The series was filmed in various locations in Kent, but most prominently the Historic Dockyard Chatham and Brompton Barracks.
Sex Education
Our very own Folkestone Harbour Arm was front and centre in Sex Education's series three. Our go-to spot for an evening of drinks and street food by the seaside starred as the ferry terminal in the latest season of this hit Netflix comedy, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for it!
Wonder Woman
2017's DC film made good use of the little Swale village of Lower Halstow with it being the landing place of Hollywood superstars Chris Pine and Gal Gadot on their hunt for Ares, as it was turned into Belgium during WWI. One of Kent's sailing barges Edith May was used as the Green Room for the film's stars and features briefly in the epic itself. When it finally gets to the height of summer, we'd recommend recreating your own landing where you can not only visit the barge, but head out on a sailing trip too!
Junior Bake Off
We all delved into a bit of baking when lockdown hit and if the bug has stuck with you may have watched the pros or celebrities try their hand at it on the Bake Off. This time around however, it was time to let the youngsters have a go with the Junior Bake Off, which was filmed at the historic manor house of Cobham Hall. Hosted by Harry Hill, 2021's series was aired in January and ran for 15 episodes.
Bridgerton
Yes, scenes from everyone's favourite Netflix romance were filmed in none other than the Historic Dockyard Chatham! The Bridgerton family may appear to be at home in high society London, but their search for love and happiness took place at our very own dockyard. Look out for the dockyard at the Duke of Hastings' boxing saloon, Will and Alice's apartment, and even the scene when Lady Featherington and Marina pay the slums a visit.
Whitstable Pearl
While it may not be hard to guess where the next one is based, you might wonder if Whitstable Pearl was actually shot in the East Kent town. Starring Kerry Godliman, the producers kept it authentic and shot nearly all of the TV series in the town, with the harbour, the high street and The Old Neptune having starring roles throughout.
Ammonite
Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet plays paleontologist Mary Anning, who has a day to day life of selling fossils to tourists, which then changes as Anning accepts an opportunity to care for a lady, played by Golden Globe Award winner Saoirse Ronan. While much of the film was shot in Dorset, you can also spy scenes in Charing and the Historic Dockyard Chatham, owing to its unique setting.
Credit: Visit Thanet
Only Fools and Horses
Still a household name across Britain is Only Fools and Horses, and the 1989 Christmas special was one of the classics. A day out to Margate in the Isle of Thanet played host to The Jolly Boys' Outing with scenes including a walk along the front, time in the sea, fish and chips and of course Dreamland. Make sure to spot Scenic Railway on screen, still going today!
Credit: Radio Times
A Very British Scandal
Set in the 60s this series follows the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll. The series stars Paul Bettany and Claire Foy, and was shot at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The railway originally opened in 1900 and ran between Robertsbridge and Tenterden. Since 1974 this has operated as a tourist attraction and has allowed guests to ride vintage trains and experience life in the early 1900s. All aboard here!
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Louis Wain
This biographical film of the 19th century artist saw Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange) and Claire Foy (The Crown) spend four weeks in Deal filming, primarily on the beach in Walmer, with the film due to be released in 2020. However, it's not just Benedict who has been to Deal, with The Tunnel and Liar being shot in the idyllic seaside town.
DC's Pennyworth
DC's Pennyworth follows the origin story of Bruce Wayne's (Batman's) butler Alfred before his time with the Waynes. The series features many locations from Kent like The Historic Dockyard Chatham as well as Rochester
The Old Guard
Sandwich may well have its own French festival, but never before has the small town been so much like a ville de France, than when the crew for The Old Guard came to town. Starring Charlize Theron and Chiwetel Ejiofor, the made for Netflix film is based on the comic and is about a captain and his soldiers working as mercenaries through the ages.
Credit: Radio Times
The Larkins
The Larkins is a show based on the beloved HE Bates’ novel The Darling Buds of May. The show features Bradley Walsh and was filmed in various locations around Kent from Faversham, Broadstairs, Sevenoaks and various villages and farms from North Kent.
The Lady in the Van
With its typical British seaside town streets and beach front, Broadstairs and its surrounding area is often the location for a coastal day out for British films and TV shows. Ricky Gervais' Derek came on a group beach day out, Maggie Smith's Lady In The Van spent two days along Viking Bay while eating Morelli's gelato, and Hollywood romantic comedy Juliet, Naked filmed throughout the Isle of Thanet for a lot of its exterior shots - you can see Broadstairs everywhere! Thanet Hollywood
Mary Queen of Scots
Depicting the story and life of Mary Stuart and her impact on England's history as she attempted to overthrow her cousin Queen Elizabeth I, it's only fitting that filming for this historical drama took place at one of Kent's best preserved manor houses, Penshurst Place. As the backdrop for Mary's execution the house has a solemn role in the film, but the gorgeous Elizabethan gardens has a rich history and looks dazzling on a summer day - it's far more cheerful off screen!
Photo by Jack English © 2017 Focus Features
Darkest Hour
2018 was Gary Oldman’s year, after scooping the Best Actor Oscar for his powerhouse performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Perhaps it’s no surprise that key scenes from the film were shot at Churchill’s former home, Chartwell, in rural Kent.
Dunkirk
While the action for Christopher Nolan’s heart-stopping depiction of the infamous evacuation was shot on location in France, Kent is home to the very place where Operation Dynamo was masterminded in the Secret Wartime Tunnels beneath Dover Castle. However you'll actually be able to spot Dover Castle in another blockbuster, and a Marvel one at that - Avengers: Age of Ultron was partially filmed here!
The Princess Bride
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love this film? Pirates, giants, miracles, monsters, true love! And did you know that Inigo and Count Rugen’s final duel – and possibly one of the most famous lines in cinema history – was filmed in the Baron’s Hall of gorgeous Penshurst Place? Say it with us… “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die".
Tudors Galore
When it comes to tales about the Tudors, Kent is the go to location for big and small screen adaptations. Leeds Castle, Penshurst Place and Dover Castle have all had starring roles in the likes of The Other Boleyn Girl and the much-lauded miniseries Wolf Hall. Even the last of the Plantagenets, Richard III, came to Kent for The Hollow Crown series in 2016 (and we heard that venue staff were very keen to work on the day dreamboat Benedict Cumberbatch was filming scenes...)
Great Expectations
Since the landscape provided inspiration for Charles Dickens himself, the misty, mysterious marshes across Swale were obvious location choices for key scenes in the 2012 big screen adaptation of this classic novel.
The Name’s Bond…
Ian Fleming reportedly took James Bond’s famous 007 tag from the number of the London to Dover coach, and lived for some time in the coastal hidden gem St Margaret's Bay (pictured). In a nod to the super spy’s creator, many Bond films have been shot on Kent’s shores - Sir Hugo Drax’s Moonraker plant was filmed at Kingsdown, the Port of Dover appeared in Diamonds are Forever, and the speedboat chase in The World Is Not Enough was partially shot at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Call the Midwife
Speaking of the Dockyard, the immense visitor attraction has been welcoming film crews and stars to its historic buildings and cobbled alleyways for decades. Victoria and Abdul, Les Miserables, Suffragette, Victor Frankenstein, Mr Holmes and 2019's Pokémon: Detective Pikachu are just a few of the flicks to have featured the Dockyard but perhaps most famous is the hit TV series Call The Midwife, which has made the attraction its home!
Pride and Prejudice
Groombridge Place provided a beautiful backdrop for the lavish 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, as the 17th-century moated manor was chosen to be Longbourn, the Bennet’s family home. There's nothing better than a bit of Austen escapism, and we love to see Lizzy Bennet running through our Kent countryside - although when we go, we think we'll leave the gowns, bonnets and parasols at home.
The Cleaner
This BBC One series starring Grege Davies, Helena Bonham Carter and David Mitchell was filmed in various locations in West Kent such as Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. The Sitcom follows Greg Davies, a state-certified cleaning technician, who is responsible for the removal of any signs of death from crime scenes.
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