Dover

Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7 (2016)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Michael Portillo standing on a steam train in front of the control panel

Michael Portillo, Great British Railway Journeys © BBC/Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK

 

Production company: Talkback Thames

Kent Locations used: Dover, Romney Marsh, Dungeness, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Knole Park

Series seven of Great British Railway returns to BBC Two, as presenter Michael Portillo travels on the great train routes of Europe and retraces the journeys featured in George Bradshaw’s 1913 Continental Railway Guide.

In episode six of the new series, Portillo embarks on a new railway journey along the south coast of England which starts at the port of Dover where he is inspired by a brave Victorian sea captain to plunge into the English Channel. Next he takes the spectacular Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch miniature steam railway through the Romney Marsh to Dungeness before heading to Eastbourne.

Episode 16 sees Michael Portillo journey from Ashford to Sevenoaks starting by lending a hand at a state-of-the-art train maintenance plant which is home to the High Speed 1 trains. Next he tracks east to Marden and is moved by music played on Queen Victoria’s personal piano before ending his journey in Sevenoaks where he ends the journey at Knole Park, seat of the Sackville-West family.

Dover is home to Europe’s busiest ferry port as well as the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle. Productions which have previously filmed in the Dover area include Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Mr Selfridge Series 3 (2015) and Poirot – The Clocks (2009).

Romney Marsh is renowned for its unique natural beauty, diverse wild life and extensive coastline. The Romney Marshes have been used as a film location for The Honourable Woman (2014), Parade’s End (2012) and Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).

The desolate landscape of Dungeness is largely made up of shingle with wooden houses, power station, lighthouses and extensive gravel pits. The Dungeness area has previously been seen on screen on Homes By The Sea (2014) and Eastenders (2007).

The market town of Ashford has shops, eateries, a designer outlet shopping centre and has great links with London and Europe which are just a train ride away through Ashford International train station. Ashford and surrounding areas has been used as a film location from visiting productions including The Apprentice (2015), The Monuments Men (2014) and Emma (2009).

Sevenoaks is a town in West Kent with vibrant shopping streets, architectural treats and historic buildings including Knole Park which is nestled in a medieval deer-park and full of hidden treasures.  The area has welcomed filming from productions such as Rush (2013) and Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011)

The Dover to Lewes episode of Great British Railway aired on Monday 11th January 2016 at 18.30 on BBC Two and the Ashford to Sevenoaks episode is on Monday 25th January 2016 at 18.30 on BBC Two .

 

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

 

The Apprentice (2015)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Apprentice Contestant behind Karren Brady, Lord Sugar and Claude Littner

The Apprentice Contestant with Karren Brady, Lord Sugar, Claude Littner © BBC/Boundless/Jim Marks

 

Production company: Talkback

Kent Locations: Dover Castle, Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover, Whitstable, Ashford 

The Apprentice is a popular BBC One show where ambitious entrepreneurs compete to avoid hearing the famous line “You’re Fired” and win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.

The 18 candidates will have to show their commercial insight and business sense throughout the 12 tough tasks which are closely watched by Lord Sugar’s advisors Baroness Karren Brady and, replacing Nick Hewer, Claude Littner.

In episode three of series 11, “Cross-Channel Discount Buying”, Lord Sugar summons the group to the wartime tunnels underneath Dover Castle where the two teams “Connexus” and “Versatile” are given their task – half of the team must stay in Kent and the other half must travel to France to find nine items and negotiate the best possible price. The team that spends the least amount of money will win.

During the task, the teams visit Kent towns including Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover, Whitstable and Ashford.

With the mission over, the teams head back to the boardroom to find out who won and which candidates are in the firing line.

Margate and Ramsgate are coastal towns in the Thanet District of Kent offering gorgeous beaches, historic towns and a harbour. The area has previously featured in productions such as Eastenders (2015), Edge of Heaven (2013) and True Love (2012).

Situated on the River Stour is the medieval town of Sandwich which has some of the best-preserved half-timbered houses in the country, eateries and B&B’s. The area has been used for filming on projects including Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage (2014) and World War Z (2013).

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle and the Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest passenger port. Productions which have previously filmed in the Dover area include Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Mr Selfridge Series 3 (2015) and Missing (2009).

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury, famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene.  Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) and Tipping the Velvet (2002) have previously chosen to film in Whitstable.

Ashford is a market town with many shops, eateries, and a designer outlet shopping centre with London and Europe are just a train ride away through Ashford International train station. Ashford and surrounding areas has been used as a film location from visiting productions including Gadget Man (2014), The Monuments Men (2014) and Emma (2009).

Don’t miss the Cross-Channel Discount Buying episode of The Apprentice featuring Kent which will be shown on Wednesday 21st October 2015 at 21:00 on BBC One.

 

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

 

 

 

Secrets of Great British Castles (2015)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Dan in front of Dover Castle keep

Dan in front of Dover Castle keep © Sideline/Group M

Production Company: Sideline

Kent Locations: Dover Castle

A new Channel 5 series, Secrets of Great British Castles, sees historian Dan Jones explore the history and legends of the UK’s great fortresses.

As Dan gets glimpses behind the walls of these British strongholds, he discovers the stories of drama, romance, rebellion, royalty and murder which have come to define the last 1000 years of British history.

The first episode in the series features  Dover Castle and takes Dan behind the battlements. He descends down into the underground and discovers the vast network of tunnels which were used to defend both the castle and the country for centuries.

Dover Castle is a medieval castle situated on the top of the White Cliffs of Dover. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as ‘The Key to England’ due to its defensive significance throughout history. It is the largest castle in England and boasts and extensive network of underground tunnels.

The castle is now open to visitors throughout the year and is managed by English Heritage.

Whilst filming at Dover Castle, the production also visiting The Grand Shaft, a unique 1800s triple spiral staircase used as a defence system for the rapid movement of troops from the cliff top to the beach in Dover.

Dover Castle has previously welcomed productions such as Into The Woods (2015), BBC One’s drama Wolf Hall (2015), and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Don’t miss the first episode of The Secrets of Great British Castles featuring Dover Castle on Channel 5 at 20:00, 3rd April 2015.

 

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

The Boats That Made Britain: A Time Team Special (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Tony Robinson smiling at the camera

Tony Robinson © Channel 4

Production Company: Picture House Television Company, The Channel 4 Television Corporation, Videotext Communications

Kent locations used: Dover

This Time Team special sees Tony Robinson join a team of experts as they attempt to reconstruct a bronze age Dover Boat, one of the oldest seagoing boats in the world, using only materials and tools from the time.

Little evidence survives of what life was like three and a half thousand years ago however in 1992, archaeologists in Dover town centre unearthed the most intact Bronze Age boat ever found and in 2012, the Time Team crew including Sir Tony Robinson, Phil Harding and Francis Pryor worked alongside a team of experts as they strive to reconstruct the Dover Boat and unlock secrets of this mysterious time.

The production team visited Dover to explore the area where the boat was found. The Bronze Age Boat is now on display at Dover Museum.

Time Team is the popular Channel 4 series which ran for 20 series from 1994 – 2013 where each episode featured a team of specialists carrying out excavation on sites to attempt to solve archaeological mysteries. The Boats That Made Britain is one of several specials shown in 2014.

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as The Choir: Sing While You Work (2013), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Don’t miss The Boats That Made Britain: A Time Team Special which will be shown on Sunday 7th September 2014 at 20:00 on Channel 4.

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

Great British Railway Journeys (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Great British Railway Journeys- presenter walking towards the camera with white cliffs behind

Great British Railway Journeys © BBC/Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK

Production Company: Talkback Thames

Kent locations used: Gravesend, Rochester, Faversham, Dover, Tonbridge

This BBC Two series follows journalist and broadcaster Michael Portillo as he travels the country by train and looks into how Britain’s railways have shaped the country as well as the impact trains have had on our lives. 

On the journey between cathedral cities Norwich and Chichester, Michael Portillo travels across the South East and visits some delightful Kent locations. In episode 18 of the fifth series, he visits Gravesend where he discovers how army officer General Gordon influenced the town before he travels to Rochester to explore the one time home of renowned writer Charles Dickens.

Michael Portillo, John Owen in front of the entrance to Shepherd Neame brewery

Michael Portillo, John Owen at Shepherd Neame brewery © BBC/Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK

In the next episode, Michael starts his journey in Faversham where he visits one of the oldest breweries in the country, Shepherd Neame, to investigate how railways helped the brewery transport beer. He then visits Dover to explore the fortification at Western Heights before heading to Tonbridge where he learns how railways helped Tonbridge School to cricketing glory. 

Gravesend is on the south bank of the River Thames and has a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. Gravesend has welcomed other film productions such as  Long Lost Family: Born without Trace (2020).

Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle that links back to the medieval period. The City has strong connections with Charles Dickens, and many TV and film adaptations of his famous novels have filmed in the area.

Faversham is a beautiful, historic market town which boasts nearly 500 listed buildings and is set on the picturesque Faversham Creek. It has many restaurants, shops, attractions and beautiful walks and has been used for various productions including Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013) and the nearby Oare Marshes were used in feature film Great Expectations (2012).

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as  Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Tonbridge is a West Kent market town with a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery. The area is surrounded beautiful countryside and boasts castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Productions that have previously filmed in the area include Missing (2010).

Don’t miss the Kent episodes of Great British Railway Journeys which will be shown on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two and Thursday 30 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two.

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

The Choir: Sing While You Work (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Gareth Malone conducting the P&O choir on a stage

Gareth Malone conducting the P&O choir © BBC, Twenty Twenty, Pete Dadds

Production company: twentytwenty

Kent Locations: P&O, Dover, The Port of Dover 

BBC2 series The Choir: Sing While You Work follows choirmaster Gareth Malone on his search to get Britain’s workforce singing as he aims to create distinctive choirs at five of the biggest businesses in Britain before they compete for the crown of best workplace choir.

In the first episode of the second series, Gareth visits employees at P&O which is the UK’s longest-running cross-Channel ferry service where he faces the challenge of getting the choir members together as they are all based in different locations – Dover, France and even at sea! Will they be able to rehearse enough to blow the competition out of the water? 

In the final episode shown on Sunday 22nd December 2013, the P&O ferries choir went on to win the show – a massive congratulations to them!

From May to October 2013, the production followed Gareth and the P&O employees on their musical journey and filmed them at P&O ferries, The Port of Dover and Dover itself.

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger Port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

The first episode of The Choir: Sing While You Work was shown on Monday 4th November 2013 at 21:00 on BBC2.

 

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

The Tunnel (2013)

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Clemence Poesy (Elise Wassermann) and Stephen Dillane (Karl Roebuck) standing in the centre of a tunnel

The Tunnel – Clemence Poesy (Elise Wassermann) and Stephen Dillane (Karl Roebuck) © Sky Atlantic/Justin Downing

 

Starring: Stephan Dillane, Clemence Poesy, Keeley Hawes, Liz Smith, David G. Robinson, Angel Coulby, Tobi Bakere, Mathieu Carriere

Production Company: Kudos Film and Television, Shine France

Kent Locations: Channel Tunnel, Folkestone Harbour, Discovery Park, Connaught Barracks, Folkestone, Dover, Margate, The Port of Dover, The Turner Contemporary and many more.      

Inspired by hit Scandinavian drama The Bridge, The Tunnel is a new 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. Detectives from the respective countries are sent to investigate but at the crime scene comes a shocking discovery, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership.  As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, the detectives are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda.

The series is a Sky Atlantic HD and CANAL+ co-production from Kudos Film and TV and Shine France Films in association with Filmlance and was adapted by an Anglo-French writing team led by Ben Richards (Spooks, Outcasts, Party Animals).

The series stars many famous faces including Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones), Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter series), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Tom Bateman (Da Vinci’s Demons), Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes), Liz Smith (The Royal Family), Tobi Bakare (Silent Witness), Jeanne Balibar (The Invisible Woman), Thibault de Montalembert (Days of Glory), Mathieu Carrièrre (High Speed), Angel Coulby (Merlin) and Jack Lowden (Mrs Biggs).

In November 2012, Kent welcomed The Tunnel’s production team who based themselves at Discovery Park in Sandwich.  Filming took place at a variety of East Kent locations between February 2013 and August 2013.

Many prominent Kent locations were used such as the Channel Tunnel, Connaught Barracks, Discovery Park, Folkestone Harbour, The Turner Contemporary, The Port of Dover, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre as well as the towns of Folkestone, Dover and Margate, and the production also made use of the Kent Film Office’s legal powers to close roads for filming.

East Kent has previously provided the back drop for many filming projects such as Dominic Savage’s True Love (2012), Ginger and Rosa (2012), My Week with Marilyn (2011), Son of Rambow (2008) and Venus (2007).

Don’t miss the start of The Tunnel which will be start on Wednesday 16th October 2013 on Sky Atlantic at 21:00.

 

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

Poirot “The Clocks” (2009)

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Poirot The Clocks L-R Geoffrey Palmer & David Suchet standing in front of a mast

Poirot The Clocks featuring L-R Geoffrey Palmer & David Suchet © ITV

Directed By: Charles Palmer

Written By: Agatha Christie (Novel) & Stewart Harcourt (Adaptation)

Starring: David Suchet, Jaime Winstone, Geoffrey Palmer, Phil Daniels, Lesley Sharp, Tom Burke

Production Company: ITV Studios, WGBH, Agatha Christie, Picture Partnership Productions

Kent Filming Locations: Dover Castle, Waterloo Crescent, Dover,  St Margaret’s Bay

Long term fans of the series will be delighted to hear that David Suchet returns to our screens this Christmas as Agatha Christies famous Belgian Detective. The latest episode, “The Clocks”, will be shown on ITV over the festive period.

When Secretary Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) runs out of a house into the arms of Lieutenant Colin Race (Tom Burke,) Hercule Poirot is called to Dover to investigate the death of a man who was found surrounded by four clocks, all stopped at the same time.  Shelia becomes the prime murder suspect, despite assurances that she does not even know the victim. While the evidence mounts, Poirot must solve the mystery before another innocent victim is found brutally murdered.

Behind the scenes picture of a car on St. Margaret's Bay promenade

Behind the scenes picture © Kent Film Office

 
Behind the scenes picture of Poirot (David Suchet) and Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) talking to two crew members next to the sea

Poirot (David Suchet) and Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) on set © Kent Film Office
Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) eating an ice cream, walking along the beach.

Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) on set © Kent Film Office

 
Behind the scenes picture of filming equipment on the grass

Behind the scenes picture © Kent Film Office

 

 

The production visited a number of locations in and round the historical town of Dover, including Dover Castle, Waterloo Crescent and the village of St Margaret’s Bay. The bay boasts the famous Art Deco house ‘White Cliffs’, who’s previous owners include Noel Coward (playwright) and Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond novels) and proved to be the ideal setting for this adaptation.

Dover is home to several renowned locations including the port, connecting the UK with the European mainland, Dover Castle which was first built in 1160 and largely remains in the same condition as it was when first constructed and the infamous White Cliffs of Dover. Dover has previously been seen on screen in The Tunnel: Sabotage(2016), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Missing (2009).

Not the only Poirot episode to be filmed in Kent, viewers may remember Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, which was filmed in the village of Chilham in 1995. The village was turned into a winter wonderland as Poirot investigates the murder of multi millionaire Simeon.Celebrating 23 years in his most famous role, David Suchet has signed a deal to film the remaining five Poirot novels, Labours of Hercules, Dead Man’s Folly, The Big Four, Elephants Can Remember and Curtain, which is Poirot’s last case.

Poirot – The Clocks was shown on ITV1 Boxing Day 2009 at 21:00 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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

   

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows (2011)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

 

Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr infront of a view of London

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Movie Poster © Warner Bros.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Producer:  Bruce Berman

Writers: Michael Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney (Screenplay) & Arthur Conan Doyle (Novel)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Eddie Marsan, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris & Stephen Fry

Production Company: Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures, Wigram Productions

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Port of Dover, White Cliffs of Dover, The Waverley Paddlesteamer, Knole & Fort Amherst

Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law revisit their roles as the great Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsdan-Law and Order UK ) believes it to be suicide. But Holmes deduces that the prince has been a victim in a murder that is part of a larger and more elaborate plot designed by Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris- Fringe).

Holmes tracks down the clues to a gentleman’s club where he and his brother Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry-Alice in Wonderland) celebrate to Dr Watson’s final night of bachelorhood. There Holmes meets the mysterious fortune teller Sim (Noomi Rapace-The Girl Who kicked the Hornet’s Nest) whose unwitting involvement with the Crown Prince’s murder makes her the next target for the killer.

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows was adapted by Michele Mulroney (Unlikely Hero, Sunny & Share Love You) and Kieran Mulroney (Paper Man) and directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch, RocknRolla).  Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Tropic Thunder) and Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Enemy at the Gates) return in the starring roles alongside Noomi Rapace (The Drop, Child 44), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Spotlight), Stephen Fry (V for Vendetta Alice in Wonderland) and Jared Harris (Lincoln, The Boxtrolls).

A number of popular Kent locations take a starring role in this latest blockbuster from director Guy Ritchie. The cast and crew returned to The Historic Dockyard Chatham where the Punchbowl Pub fight scenes and the hanging of Lord Blackwood amongst other scenes were filmed for the first movie.  Eagle eyed viewers should watch the trailer below and see if they can spot the dockyards alongside the other Kent Locations! The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular film location, having previously featured in Rustom (2016) and Oliver Twist (2007).

The production company also visited the Port of Dover  where they boarded the Waverley Paddle Steamer to film the White Cliffs of Dover. The paddle steamer was re-built in 1947 after the original was sunk off Dunkirk in 1940 and now sails around the country offering tours to the general public. The Port of Dover can be seen in Johnny English (2003) starring Rowan Atkinson and in the James Bond classic Diamonds are Forever (1971) starring Sean Connery as the location for a dramatic hovercraft scene.

National Trust Property Knole in Sevenoaks was also used, though you’ll have a hard time spotting the structure of the inner courtyard in its new Alpine setting. Adored by Henry VII and given to him by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1538, it later was presented to the Sackville family by Elizabeth I. The house showcases stunning architecture, priceless Stuart furniture and is set at the heart of the only remaining deer park in the county.  A popular film location it has appeared in Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7 (2016) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).

Lastly, crews took to Fort Amherst in Chatham to shoot scenes for the film. The extensive tunnels were the perfect double for the Paris sewer system. The fort is Britain’s largest Napoleonic Fortress and with an impressive network of historic buildings across 20 acres, it is becoming a firm favourite for film productions. Fort Amherst has also featured in Jekyll and Hyde (2016) and The Saint (1997). Considered one of Britain’s most haunted Forts, it is open to the public, though apparently you’ll risk meeting one of the many poltergeists and ghostly apparitions that walk there.

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows was released in cinemas in  December 2011 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Age of Heroes (2011)

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Age of Heroes cast members standing in a row in uniform with guns. Snowy mountains can be seen behind.

Age of Heroes cast L-R John Dagleish as Rollright, Danny Dyer as Rains, William Houston as Mac, Guy Burnet as Riley, Sean Bean as Jones, Askel Hennie as Steinar © Age of Heroes Ltd.

Director: Adrian Vitoria

Writers: Ed Scates, Adrian Vitoria

Starring: Sean Bean, Danny Dyer, Aksel Hennie,  James D’Arcy

Production Company: Atlantic Swiss Productions/Cinedome/Cinema Five/Giant Films

Kent Filming Locations: Connaught Barracks, Dover, Gravesend Civil Defence Bunker, Pluckley

Sean Bean laying on the dirt staring into a gun looking at the camera

Age of Heroes Sean Bean as Jones © Age of Heroes Ltd.

Age of Heroes is a film based on the real-life events of Ian Fleming’s 30 Commando during the Second World War; a team that was one of the most secretive and exclusive Special Forces regiments and created the mould for the modern day SAS.

The film captures the mentally and physically gruelling training endured by the men before they are assigned to a highly dangerous mission behind enemy lines in occupied Norway.  The mission doesn’t go to plan and they find themselves in a deadly situation, outnumbered by enemy soldiers.  It’s then that they rise above being normal soldiers and become heroes.

Adrian Vitoria (The Crew Hollyoaks: Crossing the Line) directs as well as co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ed Scates. Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings, The Martian), Danny Dyer (Doghouse, Eastenders), Aksel Hennie (Headhunters, Hercules) and James D’Arcy (Master and Commander, Cloud Atlas) star.

In 2010 film crews arrived in Kent to shoot the action packed thriller – local village Pluckley, famous as the setting for the popular TV programme The Darling Buds of May, were used in several driving shots with actor Sean Bean.

James D'Arcy as Ian Fleming sitting at a wooden desk with a map of the united kingdom pinned to the wall behind him

James D’Arcy as Ian Fleming © Age of Heroes Ltd.

The Gravesend Civil Defence Bunker, built in 1954 as an underground command post to be used in the event of nuclear attack during the Cold War, features in the film. It was used to represent the Cabinet War Rooms in London’s Whitehall.  Nearby Cobham Hall, currently a boarding school for girls is a firm favourite for filming in the district of Gravesham. The site was the perfect location to feature as a boarding school in the 2008 film Wild Child (2008).

Another Ministry of Defence location, the Connaught Barracks were also used for filming as a WWII training base. Situated in the district of Dover, the Connaught Barracks are not the only location to have been used for filming in recent years. The historic Dover Castle is a Kent film location favourite as it has been the star location in a number of productions from Lady Jane (1987) to The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Age of Heroes was released in 2011 and is now available on DVD.

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