ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
© Neal Street Productions
FOLKESTONE HARBOUR
Since the first photographic camera was invented in 1816 by French inventor Joseph Nicephore Niepce, the development of visual art forms across the world has been pheomenal. Where motion pictures were once soundless, black and white and under a minute long, movies can now be high definition with epic soundtracks and the scope to delve into individual characters’ stories for hours. All of these blockbuster films and TV shows have filming links to Kent – perhaps you’ ll see them through a different lens on your next visit!
Where they filmed Call the Midwife( 2012-) The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham thedockyard. co. uk
A heartwarming tale of life in London’ s East End, Call the Midwife is a historical drama that follows the challenging lives of midwives working between the 1950s and 1970s. Covering various social issues and historical events of the era, the show is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, a nurse and midwife who trained at the Royal Berkshire Hospital before relocating to poverty-stricken London.
Though the show so perfectly captures the cobblestoned streets and red-brick exteriors of London’ s East End, some might be surprised to learn that many of these scenes are filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Within the series, the outside of the ropery and officer’ s terrace were both used to replicate the streets of London, and the Tarred Yarn Store was made into the boxing club featured in season six.
One of its kind in the world, the dockyard offers Call the Midwife Official Location Tours up until 31 October, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of Sister Julienne, Nurse Franklin and Dr Turner to see where the true drama happens. During the 90-minute tour, you’ ll be guided through the dockyard by a costumed midwife equipped with tales of their‘ sisters’ before gaining access to the sets, props and costumes in an all-new exclusive gallery. One of Kent’ s most well-known filming locations, you might recognise the
Commissioner’ s House Garden from many of the garden scenes within Bridgerton( 2020-), as well as locations from Les Misérables( 2012) and Sherlock Holmes( 2009) as you explore. After the tour, be sure to check out The Mess Deck restaurant for some fresh beer-battered fish and chips with garden peas and homemade tartar for an authentic British experience.
Where they filmed The Tunnel( 2013- 2018) Folkestone Harbour Arm, Folkestone folkestoneharbourarm. co. uk
A British-French crime drama television series that debuted on Sky Atlantic in the UK, The Tunnel( 2013-2018) follows two detectives named Karl Roebuck and Elise Wasserman as they work to find a serial killer. Filmed across East Kent from February to August of 2013. iconic locations
72 • www. insidekent. co. uk