Find Out Why Kent Is Full Of Filming Locations

It may not surprise you that Kent is full of stunning backdrops and landscapes that are more than worthy of being on camera. From historic locations like The Chatham Dockyard to tranquil beaches such as Hythe there really is a location for every type of film or production. The Kent Film Office is key to sourcing these locations and working with production companies. In this blog we share some top productions you may well have heard of and hopefully watched!

TRIGGER POINT (2022)

Depicts the dangerous lives of the members of a Bomb Disposal Squad known as Expo, led by veteran operative Lana Washington. When a series of improvised explosive devices begin to detonate across London, Lana suspects that Expo is the bomber’s true target.

• Dartford Marshes – production visited the Dartford Marshes to shoot a crime scene and police chase.

Featured Walk – the new England Coast Path section between Woolwich and Grain

THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN (2022)

Is the upcoming biopic of the English painter who rose to fame at the end of the 19th century. Known for his unique paintings of anthropomorphised cats. Wain suffered from poor mental health in his later years and was hospitalised when his family could no longer care for him.

• Botany Bay – during filming, production visited Botany Bay in Thanet
• Kingsdown Leas
• Walmer Seafront

Featured Walk – the Viking Coastal Trail a 32 mile (51.4km) circular route on the Isle of Thanet. Exploring Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, designed for cycling but ideal for walking too.

BACK TO LIFE 2019/2021

A comedy drama Back to Life follows Miranda ‘Miri’ Matteson who has just been released from prison, having spent a decade behind bars.

• Folkestone Harbour
• Dungeness Estate
• Hythe Seafront – Filming for both series took place along the seafront at Hythe, including various scenes at the beach promenade on West Parade, as well as a cycling sequence on the promenade at Princes Parade. In Series 2, Hythe High Street is pictured in Episodes 3, 4, 5 and 6 in various scenes, including Caroline (Geraldine James) and Oscar’s (Richard Durden) litter-picking crusade and when Lara’s father John (Adrian Edmonson) leads a procession of mourners through the town.
• Arbotts Cliff ‘WWII Sound Mirror’

Featured Walk – explore Hythe with the section of the England Coast Path, a linear flat route towards Folkestone.

THE CROWN 2016-2020

Is a Netflix Original historical drama series focusing on the reign of the Queen Elizabeth II. The series delivers a world full of intrigue and revelations from behind the closed doors of Westminster and Buckingham Palace as The Queen steps up to represent the world’s most powerful monarchy and forge relationships with her Prime Ministers.

• Chatham Dockyard – in Series One, The Historic Dockyard Chatham features as the London Docks where the Duke of Windsor (Alex Jennings) holds a speech as he arrives on a liner for his brother’s funeral.

THE TUNNEL 2013 

Inspired by hit Scandinavian drama The Bridge, The Tunnel is a 10 part Sky Atlantic series set against the backdrop of a European crisis after a French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France.

• Folkestone
• Eurotunnel – *spoiler alert* The Euro Tunnel was one of the main settings of the programme as it is where the French politician is found dead and French detective Elise Wasserman (Clemence Poesie) and English detective Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) carry out their investigations to the grand finale. The Euro Tunnel control was also used for various scenes where the detectives travel between England and France.
• Port of Dover

GREAT EXPECTATIONS 2012

At the end of the celebratory Charles Dickens bicentenary year, a new feature film adaptation of Great Expectations hits the silver screen.

• St Thomas A Beckett Church – located in Fairfield was used for scenes when Pip (Toby Irvine) first meets with convict Magwitch (Ralph Fiennes) .
• Oare Marshes
• Swale Nature Reserve – Shellness
• The Historic Dockyard Chatham
• Medway Canal and Shornemead Fort

Featured Walk – explore the wildlife filled Oare Marshes with this circular route taking in some of the England Coast Path.

MR SELFRIDGE 2013 – 2016

A popular ITV drama Mr Selfridge,inspired by the life of charismatic American retail entrepreneur, Harry Selfridge. Originally based on the novel ‘Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge’ by Lindy Woodhead, the new series is set in 1928, nearly a decade after the events of series three, as Harry Selfridge is enjoying the roaring 20’s at the pinnacle of his wealth and celebrity.

• South Forelands Lighthouse – used in series 3 episode 7 when Violette Selfridge (Hanna Tointon) and Victor Colleano (Trystan Gravelle) take a drive in Victor’s new car to the coast.

Featured Walk – enjoy a stroll past this lighthouse when you walk the Dover to Deal section of the England Coast Path.

THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY

Idolises the life of a family, living on a small holding in rural Kent. Set in the 1950’s, the village of Pluckley in Kent and the surrounding countryside provided the main backdrop for the series.

• Pluckley – this heart-warming family drama set in the quaint village of Pluckley during the 1950s. St Nicholas church in Pluckley was used for the filming of Mariette and Charley’s wedding, as well as Primrose’s seduction of Mr Candy. Various other locations have also been used in Kent.

Featured Walk – explore the village of Pluckley yourself on this circular walk around the village and eventually joins the Greensand Way.