Slumber (2017)

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Kent Film Office

Slumber Film Poster- actress Maggie Q lying asleep wearing a night dress in a dark room on a bed, above her on the wall is a mirror which shows her in the same position but this time screaming. Slumber written in red underneath image

Slumber Film Poster © Goldcrest Films

Writer: Richard Hobley and Jonathan Hopkins
Director: Jonathan Hopkins
Starring: Maggie Q, Will Kemp, Sophia Wiseman
Production Company: Goldcrest Films
Kent Locations Used: Home Farm in Swale

Slumber is a supernatural horror film that follows the story of Alice (Maggie Q), a sleep doctor who is forced to think outside the box when she meets a family who claim that a demon paralyses and terrorises them while they sleep.

Written by Richard Hobley (The Vessel, Japantown) and Jonathan Hopkins (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Extraordinary Rendition), who also directed the film, Slumber’s cast is led by Maggie Q (Divergent , Die Hard 4.0) and features Kristen Bush (Paterno, Liberal Arts), Sam Troughton (Chernobyl, The Ritual), Lucas Bond (Summerland, Susu) and Honour Kneafsey (Miss You Already, A Christmas Prince).

Filming took place at Home Farm near Faversham which represented the Morgan’s family home.

Home Farm is a colonial-style villa surrounded by countryside views, with a vintage décor inside. Previous productions who used the location are The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2017) and Historical feature film The Current War (2019).

Slumber was released on the 5^th January 2018.

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

Walks With My Dog (2017)

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Kent Film Office

Image of presenter kneeling down with his dog. Mountains and a river can be seen behind. Walks with my dog reads on the top

Walks With My Dog © More4

Production Company: True North

Kent Locations Used: Shepherd Neame Brewery at Faversham, The Old Lighthouse and Sound Mirrors at Dungeness

Walks with my Dog follows celebrities and their four-legged friends exploring Britain’s picturesque towns.

In episode one, Phil Spencer and his two dogs (Location, Location, Location) head to Faversham. On their journey the trio makes a pit stop at Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewery.

The Old Lighthouse and Sound Mirrors on Dungeness, will be featured in episode 5 on Thursday 6th April on More4 at 8pm.

Faversham is a beautiful historic market town in the Swale Borough of Kent. The historic town boasts over 500 listed buildings and the many restaurants, shops, attractions and beautiful walks the picturesque countryside has to offer. Faversham has been featured in various programmes including Channel 4 Drama Southcliffe (2013) and Great British Story: A People’s History (2012).

Dungeness is a unique expanse of shingle beach with many ramshackle huts as well as two light houses, a historic railway station, two pubs and artist galleries along with a nuclear power station. Previous projects that have filmed there include The Poison Tree (2012).

Walks with My Dog premieres Thursday 9th March on More4 at 9pm

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

A Taste of Britain (2014)

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Taste of Britain presenters Brian Turner and Janet Street Porter standing in the countryside smiling at the camera

Taste of Britain presenters Brian Turner and Janet Street Porter © BBC/Cactus TV

Production Company: Cactus TV

Kent Locations: Oare Marshes, Faversham, Brogdale Farm, The Goods Shed and Snail Farm in Canterbury

A Taste of Britain is a new BBC series presented by Janet Street-Porter and Brian Turner who visit different areas around the country to see the sights and try local delicacies and food specialities.

An upcoming episode takes the duo to one of Janet Street-Porter’s favourite places – Kent. They explore Oare Marshes and historic Faversham before visiting one of the UK’s only snail farms near Canterbury which inspires Brian to make a snail frittata.

The Goods Shed in Canterbury is the next stop for Janet and Brian, where chef Rafael Lopez creates a delicious lunch of lamb cutlets with vegetables using local ingredients.

The pair also visits Brogdale near Faversham which is in the throes of peak cherry season and spurs Brian on to bake a stunning cherry pastry cake.

The Oare Marshes Nature Reserve is located in the South Swale, in Harty Ferry, and has freshwater dykes, open water scrapes, reedbed, saltmarsh and a seawall which is favoured nesting place for many species of migrating birds. Previous productions which have filmed at Oare Marshes include Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013) and feature film Great Expectations (2012).

The historic market town of Faversham has nearly 500 listed buildings and is home to Britain’s oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame. The area has many restaurants, shops and beautiful landscapes such as the picturesque Faversham Creek. Faversham has been previously seen on screen for productions such as Great British Railway Journeys (2014).

The Goods Shed in Canterbury is a popular Famer’s Market, restaurant, and food hall. Canterbury is a vibrant City which boasts the historic Cathedral, shopping areas, parks and open spaces as well as neighbouring quaint, traditional towns. Previous productions that have shot in Canterbury include Last Orders (2008).

The Kent episode of A Taste of Britain will be shown on BBC One on Monday 22^nd September 2014 at 15:45.

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

Gadget Man (2014)

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Gadget Man Presenter Richard Ayoade in an orange suit and blue tie

Gadget Man Presenter Richard Ayoade © Channel 4/North One Television

Production company: North One Television

Kent Locations: House in Faversham, Wye National Nature Reserve, Leeds Castle, Teapot Island Maidstone

Channel 4’s Gadget Man returns as Richard Ayoade takes a look at the world of gadgets and how new technology can help to make everyday life a little bit easier.

In the third series, Richard finds gadgets that can help tasks such as cooking, shopping, moving house and even going out or staying in. Guest stars who help Richard test the latest technology offerings include Richard E Grant, Allison Steadman, Tim Vine and David Mitchell.

Richard Ayoade and Phill Jupitus sitting on chairs with gadgets on their legs

Richard Ayoade and Phill Jupitus © Channel 4/North One Television

The Gadget Man team visited Kent where they used a private residence in Faversham for Richard’s house which features throughout the series as well as Wye National Nature Reserve in Ashford and Leeds Castle which are in episode three where Richard looks at gadgets that can solve “staycation” issues.

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. The area has been used as a film location for productions such as Great British Railway Journeys (2014), Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013).

The 133 hectares of Wye National Nature Reserve consists of chalk grassland and woodland on steep coombes and offers spectacular views over the Romney Marsh and Weald. Ashford and surrounding areas has been used for filming with previous visiting productions including The Monuments Men (2014) and Emma (2009).

Leeds Castle is set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland and formal gardens in Maidstone. The castle itself was built in 1119 and has state rooms a mote. Leeds Castle has previously been featured in productions such as Lady Jane (1987) and Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

Don’t miss Gadget Man which starts on Monday 25th August 2014 at 20:30 on Channel 4 and the staycation episode will be shown on Monday 8th September 2014 at 20:30 on Channel 4.

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

Great British Railway Journeys (2014)

Posted on January 23, 2014 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.

Southcliffe (2013)

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Kent Film Office

David Whitehead (Rory Kinnear) and Anthony (Al Weaver) in a misty street

David Whitehead (Rory Kinnear) and Anthony (Al Weaver) © Channel 4

Director: Sean Durkin

Writer: Tony Grisoni

Starring: Rory Kinnear, Sean Harris, Shirley Henderson, Eddie Marsan, Anatol Yusef, Nichola Burley, Joe Dempsie, Kaya Scodelario

Production company: Warp Films

Kent Filming Locations: Faversham, Faversham Recreation Ground, Oare Marshes, Uplees Cottage, Whitstable, East Kent Railway, Grain Power station, Teynham Court Farm, Canterbury Hospital, The Sittingbourne School and Police Station and many more

Southcliffe is a new four part Channel 4 drama that tells the story of a fictional English town devastated by a series of shootings that take place on a single day. The story is told from the point of view of a journalist who returns to his childhood town to try and unravel the reasons behind the shocking events. The entire series was filmed in Kent, with Faversham doubling as the town “Southcliffe”.

The Warp Films (This is England) production has an array of talent behind it including award-winning writer Tony Grisoni (Red Riding, The Unloved) and directed by 2011 winner of the Sundance Film Festival Directing Award, Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene).

The series stars many familiar faces including Rory Kinnear (Black Mirror), Eddie Marsan (Tyrannosaur), Shirley Henderson (Anna Karenina), Sean Harris (Prometheus), Kaya Scodelario (Skins), Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones), Anatol Yusef (Boardwalk Empire) and Nichola Burley (Wuthering Heights).

In October 2012, Kent welcomed the Southcliffe production team, who based themselves at the East Kent Storage Centre in Faversham and made use of the surrounding beautiful and unique locations such as Faversham, Faversham Recreation Ground, Oare Marshes, Uplees Cottage, Whitstable, East Kent Railway, Grain Power station, Teynham Court Farm, Canterbury Hospital, Sittingbourne Police Station, The Sittingbourne Schoolas well as various other farms, pubs, churches and cafes.

Anna (Kaya Scodelario) © Channel 4	Paul Gould (Anatol Yusef) and police © Channel 4
Andrew (Eddie Marsan) and Anna (Kaya Scodelario) © Channel 4	Stephen (Sean Harris) © Channel 4

The production also made use of the Kent Film Office’s legal powers to close roads for filming, using traffic management and even road closures at various locations.

The Kent County Council Film Office was involved from the early stages actively supporting the production’s location filming. Gabrielle Lindemann, Kent Film Officer explains: “Since Faversham is truly a busy market town, hosting a high-profile drama while keeping disruption to the community to a minimum takes a lot of co-operation between local organisations.

“For example, Faversham Enterprise Partnership liaised between the local community and the production, Kent Highway Services and Kent Police helped to accommodate some tricky road filming, including a key scene on the A299 Thanet Way; Kent Wildlife Trust and Natural England helped with some of the surrounding nature reserves and Swale Borough Council assisted in finding parking spaces for the not inconsiderable number of equipment trucks.”

The Faversham community were thrilled to have such a high profile show choose their town as a backdrop with Laurence Young, of the Faversham Enterprise Partnership, saying: “Local people loved having filming take place around the town and really enjoyed helping the cast and crew.”

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 seen many times on the small screen for productions such as Cook Me The Money (2013).

Don’t miss the first episode of Southcliffe which will be shown on Sunday 4 August 2013 on Channel 4 at 21:00.

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

Summertime Blues (2009)

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Kent Film Office

Francois Goeske and Sarah Beck sat on a kitchen counter top having a conversation holding tea cups.

Director: Marie Reich

Writer: Frederike Kopf

Production Company: Boxfish Films

Kent Filming Locations: Faversham, Stodmarsh, Dover

Alex is a teenager whose life is thrown into turmoil following the announcement that his father’s new girlfriend is pregnant and his mother intends to move to England with her new partner and himself in tow.

Karoline Eichhorn and Alexander Bayer in Summertime Blues smiling at the camera through an orchestra pit,. Audience can be seen smiling behind

Summertime Blues chronicles Alex’s exile to a sleepy English village and his determination to return to his home-town of Bremen at the earliest opportunity. It’s not long, however, before he begins to make friends, notably Louie and Faye, who show him that life in the middle of nowhere isn’t all that bad. At a crossroads, Alex is torn between his life in Bremen and his new life in England.

In the height of summer 2008, Kent played host to the German production Summertime Blues. Looking for some of Kent’s most idyllic and romantic countryside locations, the crew came to the Film Office to aid them in their search. After weeks of deliberation the production company chose the beautiful market town of Faversham and the picturesque village of Stodmarsh for Alex’s quintessentially English home. Released in Germany this summer, there are unfortunately no current plans to bring the film to the UK.

The coastal town of Dover is home the port, connecting the UK with the European mainland, Dover Castle which towers above the town, signalling Dover’s strategic importance in the defence of the country and the White Cliffs of Dover, one of the most recognised landmarks in Britain. Dover has been used for filming productions such as The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016), Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7 (2016) and On A Clear Day (2005).

Stodmarsh is a small village on the outskirts of the historic City of Canterbury. The Canterbury area has previously featured on screen in projects such as Rustom (2016), Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) The Apprentice (2014).

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. The Faversham area has been used as a film location for productions such as Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013)

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

Waterland (1992)

Posted on October 5, 1992 by Kent Film Office

Waterland Movie Poster- top image of a man standing in front of marshes facing the camera, bottom image of man and women embracing as a boy in a boat sits in the water behind them. Waterland is written in the middle of the images.

Directed by: Stephen Gyllenhaal

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Ethan Hawke, Sinéad Cusack, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Production Company: British Screen Productions, Channel Four Films, Palace Pictures, Pandora Cinema

Kent Filming Locations Used: Doddington Place Gardens

Based on the 1983 novel of the same name, Waterland, by Graham Swift, discusses how the events in our youth can leave a damaging mark on our future.

Jeremy Irons plays English born History teacher, Tom Crick whose family life begins to fall apart when his wife suffers a mental breakdown. Unable to connect with both his students and his wife, he faces the possibility of being fired. In a desperate attempt to forge a bond with his students, he begins to recount the history of his own extraordinary life. When one challenging student Matthew – played by Ethan Hawke forces him to face shocking revelations about his youth, he realises that his buried past still has a grip on his present day life, threatening all he holds dear.

Stephen Gyllenhaal (Homegrown, Losing Isaiah) directs the film which stars Jeremy Irons (Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Man in the Iron Mask), Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Total Recall), Sinéad Cusack (V for Vendetta, Wrath of the Titans) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, Donnie Dark).

The beautiful Doddington Place, near Faversham was used as the ancestral home to Tom Crick (Jeremy Irons). Surrounded by wooded countryside in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the imposing Victorian Manor was built around 1860. With landscaped gardens that are recognised as being of historical importance by English Heritage, Doddington place grounds spread to nearly 10 acres.

The nearest town is the historic market town of Faversham which lies nestled between the North Downs and the Kent Coast. The town is home to the Shepherd Neame Brewery which is not only famous for their ales but is also the oldest brewery in England. A popular filming location, the brewery doubled as Bristow’s brewery in The Darling Buds of May.

Waterland was released in cinemas in August 1992 and is now available on DVD.

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

The Shuttered Room (1967)

Posted on June 27, 1967 by Kent Film Office

Carol Lynley as Susannah and Gig Young as Mike walk along a wooden boardwalk over a creek. Mike has his arms wrapped protectively around a frightened looking Susannah. On the opposite end of the boardwalk stand three men looking at them.

Director: David Greene
Writers: D.B. Ledrov, Nat Tanchuck, August Derleth
Starring: Oliver Reed, Gig Young, Carol Lynley, Flora Robson
Production Company: Troy-Schenck Productions
Kent Locations Used: South Foreland Lighthouse, Hollowshore Boatyard and the Shipwright’s Arms in Faversham

The Shuttered Room (1967), also known as Blood Island, is a British horror film about Susannah Kelton (Carol Lynley) who, upon the death of her estranged parents, inherits an old mill. Ignoring the warnings from the townspeople that the mill is cursed, Susannah soon discovers a family secret that has remained hidden since her childhood.

Based on the short story by August Derleth, The Shuttered Room was adapted for the screen by D.B. Ledrov and Nat Tanchuck (Fury, Federal Man) and directed by David Greene (Godspell, Rich Man, Poor Man). It stars Carol Lynley (Bunny Lake is Missing, The Poseidon Adventure) as Susannah Whately Kelton, Gig Young (Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?) as her husband Mike Kelton, Oliver Reed (The Big Sleep (1978), Gladiator) as estranged cousin and violent thug Ethan, and Flora Robson (Black Narcissus, Clash of the Titans) as Aunt Agatha.

South Foreland Lighthouse in Dover features throughout the film as the exterior of Aunt Agatha’s clifftop home. A Victorian structure perched on the White Cliffs of Dover, the South Foreland Lighthouse was not only the first lighthouse powered by electricity, it was also the site of the first international radio transmission. The Bollywood film Rustom (2016) features the Lighthouse, as well as Series 3 Episode 7 of the ITV period drama Mr Selfridge (2015).

The Shipwright’s Arms and Hollowshore Boatyard in Faversham also feature throughout the film. The Boatyard doubles for Susannah’s hometown of Dunwich, Massachusetts and various driving scenes were shot on the site. Situated on the North Kent Coast among the marshes, Hollowshore Boatyard still continues its tradition of wooden boat building, repairs and mooring. Also on the site, and estimated to be over 300 years old, The Shipwright’s Arms remains an operating pub to this day. Previous productions to have filmed in Faversham include ITV’s The Larkins (2021), the Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013) and Bollywood movie Jagame Thandhiram (2021).

The Shuttered Room (1967) was released on Tuesday 27^th June 1967.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission