Director: Donald McWhinnie
Writer: E.F. Benson (novel), Gerald Savory (screenplay)
Starring: Prunella Scales, Geraldine McEwan, Nigel Hawthorne, Denis Lill, James Greene
Production Company: London Weekend Television (LWT)
Kent Locations Used: Chilham including Cumberland Lodge, Hever Castle

Mapp and Lucia (1985-1986) is a Channel 4 series, based on three 1930’s novels by E. F. Benson. Set in the fictional Sussex coastal town of Tilling-on-Sea, the show centres around social schemers Mapp (Prunella Scales) and Lucia (Geraldine McEwan) who will stop at nothing to bolster their position amongst their community’s elite.

Mapp and Lucia aired in two series of five episodes and was directed by Donald McWhinnie (Moll Flanders, Much Ado About Nothing), with the screenplay adapted by Gerald Savory (Young and Innocent).

The series stars Prunella Scales (Howards End, Fawlty Towers), Geraldine McEwan (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Magdalene Sisters), Nigel Hawthorne (The Madness of King George, Demolition Man) Denis Lill (Batman, The Royal) and James Greene (Sherlock Holmes, Johnny English (2003)).

Mapp and Lucia screenshot at Chilham © London Weekend Television (LWT)

Mapp and Lucia screenshot at Hever Castle London Weekend Television (LWT)

The production was largely filmed in Rye and Winchelsea with Kent also featuring – Chilham is seen in episodes 1, 2 and 10, doubling as Risholme, with Lucia’s home in the Cumberland Lodge on The Street, Olga Braceley’s Home in the Old Rectory and the Tudor Lodge in the square doubling as the Ambermere Arms.

In episode 10, Hever Castle features as the residence of Poppy (Irene Handl), Duchess of Sheffield.

Chilham is a delightfully preserved Tudor village in the Ashford borough of Kent. It is a popular film location due to its stunning fifteenth century square with black and white timbered buildings, Jacobean castle, church, pub and school. Chilham has been chosen as a film location by many filming projects including Emma (2009) and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

The thirteenth century double moated Hever Castle boasts formal Italian Gardens, ornamental lake, adventure playground and maze. The castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and has featured in a variety of productions including Inkheart (2008) and Anne of a Thousand Days (1969).

Mapp & Lucia aired in 1985–1986 and is now available on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.