Horrible Histories Series 8, 9 & 10 (2019-2023)

James McNicholas, dressed as a medieval king, pinches the cheeks of Ethan Lawrence, who is dressed as a rich medieval aristocrat. Behind them is a stone castle.

James McNicholas and Ethan Lawrence in Daft Dads at Allington Castle © BBC

Starring: Jessica Ransom, Tom Stourton, James McNicholas, Emily Lloyd-Saini
Production Company:
Lion Television
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Allington Castle, Ightham Mote

First premiering in 2009, the CBBC’s children’s TV programme Horrible Histories (2009-2023) is back for its tenth series. Based on the novels by Terry Deary, Horrible Histories is packed full of bloody battles and black humour; informing and entertaining young audiences with comedic historical sketches.

In 2015, the series returned with a revised format and a brand-new cast that includes Jessica Ransom (Doc Martin), Tom Stourton (About Time, All My Friends Hate Me), James McNicholas (This England) and Emily Lloyd-Saini (Code 404, The People We Hate at the Wedding). Each episode centres on the life of one prominent historical figure.

Production have visited Kent various times for Series 8, 9 and 10.

For Series 8, production visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham, where they filmed a Queen Victoria as well as  a Suffragettes sketch in the Ropery; Napoleonic and Georgian scenes at the Officer’s Terrace and the Commissioner’s House; various scenes for the Home Front episode at the Old Pay Office and HMS Ocelot, which doubled briefly as a Swedish submarine.

Allington Castle was also used in Series 8 for various medieval sketches, as well as in garden scenes featuring Madame Pomapdour and the English Romantic Poets.

For Series 9, production returned to The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The Tarred Yarn Store features as the interior of a factory, the Ropery and Anchor Wharf double as Victorian streets, and the Officer’s Terrace doubles as a Georgian street.

Allington Castle once again provide the setting for the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, plus the Royal Mint, an ancient Grecian market, the Palace of King Charles VI in France, a medieval hall, and a spooky castle.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham features in Series 10, with filming taking place on HMS Gannet, HMS Ocelot and on the Ropery streets. Production also filmed scenes for the new series at Allington Castle and Ightham Mote.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular filming locations. Set on the River Medway, the Dockyard spans over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. The location has previously been home to several other historical productions, including Series 1 of Bridgerton (2020), Ammonite (2020), and Call the Midwife (2012-2023).

Built in the 12th Century and located on the River Medway, Allington Castle is now privately-owned and adorned with authentic Medieval tapestries and furniture. Once opening its doors to King Henry VIII, the Castle now plays host to film and TV crews, with productions such as The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (1984), Covington Cross (1992) and The Royals (2016-2018).

Built nearly 700 years ago, Ightham Mote has seen many changes and been owned by medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high-society Victorians. Highlights include the picturesque courtyard, formal gardens, great hall, Grade I listed dog kennel and the library of the American businessman Charles Henry Robinson. Making Noise Quietly (2019) filmed on the grounds of Ightham Mote.

The eighth series of Horrible Histories aired on CBBC from 3rd June 2019. Episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The Christmas special of Series 9 aired on CBBC on Friday 10th December 2021, with the rest of the series following in 2022.

Series 10 will begin airing on CBBC with a Father’s Day special on Friday 16th June 2023, with the rest of the series to follow intermittently. All episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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


The Great (2020-2023)

Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) stands on a beach with white cliffs in the background. She is wearing a historical style dress which is white with red flowers. She has a red flower in her hair.

Elle Fanning in The Great (2020-2023) © Hulu

Creator: Tony McNamara
Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Gwilym Lee, Sacha Dhawan
Production Company: Thruline Entertainment, Echo Lake Entertainment, Lewellen Pictures, MRC Television, Macgowan Films
Kent Locations Used: Hever Castle, St Clere Estate, Botany Bay, Cobham Wood, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Great (2020-2023), a satirical comedy from American streaming company Hulu, follows the infamous rise of Prussian-born Catherine the Great as she ascends to become the longest serving female ruler in Russian history. Forced to choose between her own personal happiness and the future of an empire, she abandons a life of love and romance and vows to change a country plagued by deceit and ruin.

Series 3 sees Catherine and Peter attempt to make their marriage work after a very rocky start. But with Peter haunted by visions of his late grandfather, Peter The Great (Jason Isaacs), will he stay content as mere First Husband to Catherine the Great for long?

The series was created by Tony McNamara (The FavouriteAshby) and stars Elle Fanning (Maleficent, Mary Shelley) as Catherine the Great, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury RoadWarm Bodies) as Peter III of Russia. Phoebe Fox (Close to the EnemyThe Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death), Gwilym Lee (Bohemian RhapsodyMidsomer Murders) and Sacha Dhawan (Iron FistThe History Boys) feature in supporting roles.

Production visited various locations in Kent for Series 1, 2 and 3.

In Series 1 Episode 8, the Italian Loggia on Hever Castle lake doubles as an Eastern European house where Peter III of Russia (Nicholas Hoult) and Catherine (Elle Fanning) meet the Swedish King Hugo (Freddie Fox) and Queen Agnes (Grace Molony). The Loggia reappears in Series 2 Episode 1 as the house in which Peter and his confidantes Grigor (Gwilym Lee) and Georgina (Charity Wakefield) hide out from Catherine’s army.

The fields of St Clere Estate in Sevenoaks were used to stage battle scenes in Series 1 Episodes 5 and 7. The location returned in Series 2 Episode 1 as Catherine’s army’s base camp. St Clere also reappears in Series 3 Episodes 6 and 8 as an army camp on the Russia / Sweden border and the frozen lake where one key character meets an unexpected end.

Botany Bay in Broadstairs features in a dream sequence in Series 2 Episode 10, where Catherine images Peter eating a whale on the beach.

Cobham Wood appears briefly in Series 3 Episode 6, as Catherine and Grigor ride in a carriage through the woods. The Tarred Yarn Store at The Historic Dockyard Chatham also features in Series 3 Episode 5, doubling as the interior of a town hall where Pugachev (Nicholas Hoult) incites the peasants against Catherine.

Hever Castle is an outstanding 13th century and Tudor castle with a moat, stunning Italianate gardens, a beautiful lake, as well as a mock Tudor Village. It was the original home of the Boleyn family. Productions that filmed here include Inkheart (2008) and The Third Day (2020).

St Clere Estate is set in 2800 acres of the rolling Kent countryside and offers stunning views of the North Downs. Some of the ground’s features include formal gardens, paddocks, a meadow, fields, an orangery, green houses and a temple by the lake. St Clere Estate has previously been used to film Road Games (2016) and Sky’s original series Gangs of London (2020-2022).

One of the most popular filming locations in Kent, Botany Bay is a sandy bay set against a white cliff backdrop with a steep, sandy track for vehicle access and small portable café. Recent productions to have filmed on Botany Bay include The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021), The Baby (2022) and Sulphur and White (2020).

Cobham Wood is a vast woodland park containing an array of vegetation and landscapes. The park is home to the Darnley Mausoleum; built in the 18th Century as the final resting place for the Darnley family, it remains unused.

A historic 17th Century Dockyard spanning over 80 acres, Chatham Dockyard contains over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. One of the most popular filming locations in Kent, recent productions to have filmed on the site include A Spy Among Friends (2022), Enola Holmes 2 (2022), and Series 3 of Jerk (2023).

Series 3 of The Great will be released on Lionsgate+ on Friday 14th July 2023 and the series is currently available to stream on StarzPlay and All4.

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


Walking Britain’s Roman Roads (2020)

Presenter Dan Jones looking at the camera with a Roman road behind him.

Presenter Dan Jones in Walking Britain’s Roman Roads- Copyright Rumpus Media

Presenter: Dan Jones
Production Company: Rumpus Media
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury & Pegwell Bay Beach

Walking Britain’s Roman Roads is a six-part series that follows historian and presenter Dan Jones (London: 2000 Years of History, Building Britain’s Canals) as he walks six of Britain’s Roman roads, exploring the different cultures that emerged along these routes. Episode one begins with the country’s oldest and longest road, running from the Kent Coast to Shropshire.

Production visited Pegwell Bay and Watling Street in Canterbury during filming for the Kent episode.

Pegwell Bay is the shallow estuary on the north bank of the River Stour  between Ramsgate and Sandwich in Kent. It is home to a large stretch of sea cliffs, a nature reserve, mudflats and salt marshes. Productions such as Britain at Low Tide – Series 3 (2019) and  River Walks (2018) have previously made use of the beautiful bay.

Canterbury is a historic cathedral city; many of its original historical structures remain, including the cathedral and section of the city wall. The city is a popular tourist destination and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canterbury Tales (2003) and Great British Railway Journeys Series 11 (2020) have previously filmed here.

Walking Britain’s Roman Roads starts on 5 Select on Wednesday 1st July at 9pm.

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


Born a King (2019)

Film poster depicting Abdullah Ali as the young Faisal, Hermione Corfield as a young Princess Mary and Ed Skrein as Philby above a reflection of the Houses of Parliament in the Thames

Born a King poster © Celtic Films Entertainment

Writer: Henry Fitzherbert, Bader Al Samari, Ray Loriga
Director: Agusti Villaronga
Starring: Abdullah Ali, Ed Skrein, Hermione Corfield, Kenneth Cranham
Production Company: Arena Audiovisual, Celtic Films Entertainment
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Born a King (2019) is the real life, coming-of-age story of Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who was sent to London in 1919 by his father to gather support for Saudi Arabia as a sovereign country. He was the first Saudi Prince to visit the UK and at 14 was entrusted to negotiate with some of the pre-eminent figures of the age; Lord Curzon (Kenneth Cranham) and Winston Churchill (Celyn Jones). He befriends Princess Mary (Hermione Corfield) who helps guide him through the corridors of power.

Born a King was directed by Agusti Villaronga (Black Bread, Uncertain Glory) and written by Henry Fitzherbert (Love & Friendship, Slaughterhouse Rulez), Bader Al Samari and Ray Loriga (Theresa: The Body of Christ, Ausentes). The film introduces Abdullah Ali as Faisal, and stars Ed Skrein (Deadpool, The Model) as Philby, Hermione Corfield (The Halcyon, Rust Creek) as Princess Mary and Kenneth Cranham (Maleficent, The White Princess) as Lord Curzon.

Anchor Wharf at The Historic Dockyard Chatham doubles as Plymouth Docks in the film, in a scene where Prince Faisal arrives in England and is greeted by the press and government officials.

Set over 80 acres on the River Medway and with more than 100 Victorian and Georgian buildings, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular film locations. The site has previously featured in Mr Turner (2014), Victoria and Abdul (2017) and The Mercy (2018).

Born a King (2019) was released in Saudi Arabia on Thursday 26th September 2019 and is available to watch on Amazon in the UK.

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


Who Do You Think You Are? (2018)

 

Actress Michelle Keegan smiling at the camera in a pink jumper. Who do you think your are? written in white

Michelle Keegan ©BBC One

 

Writer: Stuart Elliot

Starring: Michelle Keegan, Olivia Coleman, Boy George, Shirley Ballas, Lee Mack, Marvin Humes, Judge Rinder and Jonnie Peacock.

Production Company: BBC One

Kent Locations Used: General Views in and around Margate.

Returning to our screens for its 15th series, the hit TV series Who Do You Think You are? focuses on tracing back our much-loved celebrities’ ancestry, giving them the opportunity to discover family secrets.

DJ, presenter and former member of band JLS, Marvin Humes, travelled to Margate to investigate the history of his great grandfather, Frederick Buckingham. Frederick, who suffered from Tuberculosis, was admitted to the Margate Metropolitan Infirmary from a workhouse. Marvin also visits the beach as the seawater in Margate was important, being part of the treatment for the illness.

Frederick served in the merchant navy, so Marvin Humes meets expert Harry Bennett at Chatham Historic Dockyard where they talk about the importance of the merchant navy to the economy.

Written by Stuart Elliot, the series will feature eight well known celebrities: Michelle Keegan (Our Girl and former Corrie Star), Olivia Coleman (The Crown), Boy George (Musician, DJ, fashion designer and British icon), Shirley Ballas (Strictly Come Dancing’s Head Judge), Lee Mack (Comedian/Not Going Out), Marvin Humes (Former JLS member/Presenter), Robert Rinder (Barrister/Judge Rinder) and Jonnie Peacock (Gold medal winning Paralympian).

Margate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in Kent, England. It is well known for its amusement park, Dreamland, which first opened in 1880. Having been closed for over seven years, Dreamland re-opened in June 2015 to the public, featuring retro seaside rides and amusements.

Dreamland and Margate haven used previously as a location in TV series The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016) as well as Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (1989).

Who Do You Think You Are? aired on 6 June 2018 at 9pm on BBC One. More episodes coming soon!

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


Suffragettes – How Women Won the Vote (2018)

Portrait of three suffragettes characters in formal clothing at Commissioner's House with stairs in the background. The centre characters is looking at the camera whilst the two on the outside are looking in the distance.

Image of Suffragettes ©BBC

 

Director: Emma Frank

Starring: Lucy Worsley

Production Company: Brook Lapping Productions

Kent Locations Used: Chatham Dockyard, Commissioner’s House, Tarred Yarn Store, Captains House and the ropey foot tunnel, as well as the Assistant Queens Harbourmaster’s House.

Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley is part of a group of BBC programmes marking the 100s anniversary of women gaining the vote in the UK.

In this drama documentary, Lucy Worsley explores, a group of less well known, but equally astonishing, young working-class suffragettes who decided to go against the rules and expectations of Edwardian society.

Worsley reveals what life was like for young women, what drove them to break the law and how they used their own PR to counteract the negative portrayals they received from the press of the day.

Lucy Worsley has been a writer and presenter for Our Food (2012), A Very British Romance (2015) and If Walls Could Talk: The History of the Home (2011).

Scenes from Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley was filmed in various locations at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, such as the Commissioner’s House, the Tarred Yarn Store, the Captains House and Ropery foot tunnel, as well as the Assistant Queens Harbourmaster’s House.

Suffragettes by Lucy Worsley airs on BBC1, Monday 4th June at 20.30.

To see the official trailer visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Y2e79lBTw

 

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


Britain’s Great Cathedrals with Tony Robinson (2018)

 

 

Headshot of presenter Tony Robinson standing in a cathedral with his blue coat on.

Presenter of the series Tony Robinson ©Channel 5

 

Director: Tom Cunningham and Mark Williams

Starring: Tony Robinson

Production Company: Channel 5

Kent Locations Used: Canterbury Cathedral and Town

The brand new series Britain’s Great Cathedrals is presented by actor and history enthusiast Tony Robinson (Walking Through History, Time Team, Tony Robinson’s Time Travels). The series examines six monumental British cathedrals and explores their history. In episode two the production visits Canterbury and the beautiful Canterbury Cathedral, seat of the Church of England.

Canterbury is a popular filming location and has previously been used as a location for filming for BBC Bargain Hunt and Time Team Special.

The series can be seen on Channel 5 every Friday at 8pm and Episode 2 featuring Canterbury Cathedral is available on My5.

 

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


David Jason’s Secret Service (2017)

David Jason appears in a vintage car in front of a historic espionage building. David Jason's Secret Service, epiisode one- 5th December, Episode two- 12th December, Episode three- 19th December, 9pm on More 4 is written in white on top.

David Jason’s Secret Service – © More 4

Director: James Tovell

Starring: David Jason

Production Company: October Films

Kent locations Used: Folkestone

Sir David Jason presents this three-part documentary series which reveals the secret places, people and stories from Britain’s 20th Century spy history. Episode One explores the inception of the British Secret Service in 1909 by Sir Mansfield Cumming. In 1914, when the First World War broke out in Europe, this group of spies were crucial in securing Allied victories and Folkestone became the frontline for British spy organisations.

In June 2017, the production team filmed at various locations in Folkestone, including the clifftop promenade, The Leas.

The Leas boasts sea views to France and Folkestone itself is renowned for its Creative Quarter with many galleries, shops, relaxing bars and restaurants. Tourists can visit the Kent Battle of Britain Museum which pays homage to the aircrews that defended Britain during the Second World War or visit Folkestone Harbour to explore Kent’s maritime history.

The town has been used previously for filming by productions such as Who Should We Let In? Ian Hislop on the First Great Immigration Row (2017), not to mention the seaside episode for Darling Buds of May, starring Mr Jason himself (1991-1993).

 

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

 


Secrets of Great British Castles (2015)

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. 


Flog It! (2014)

 

 

Presenter Paul Martin wear a blue suit and stands leaning on a wooden banister of a staircase

Paul Martin in Flog It! ©BBC

 

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations: Chiddingstone Castle, Chartwell

Flog It! is a BBC One programme where members of the public bring their antiques to be examined and valued by a team of experts, with an option to sell at auction.

Chiddingstone Castle and grounds

Chiddingstone Castle

The popular show is now in its thirteenth series and in July 2014, presenter and antiques dealer Paul Martin and the Flog It! team visited Kent’s Chiddingstone Castle where experts Thomas Plant and Adam Partridge find some fascinating antiques and collectables for members of the public to take to auction. Paul also pays a visit to Chartwell, the former home of Sir Winston Churchill.

Chiddingstone Castle is a delightful historic house near Edenbridge, set in 30 acres of parkland and boasting breath-taking views of the North Downs, a rose garden, woodland and a beautiful fishing lake. Chiddingstone Castle has previously featured in Bargain Hunt (2012) and nearby one-street Tudor village Chiddingstone has been used as a film location by productions such as  A Room With A View (1986) and Elizabeth R (1971).

Chartwell is a National Trust property set in delightful gardens and was the home to Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death in 1965. The location has previously been used by feature film The Gathering Storm (2002).

Don’t miss the Kent episode of Flog It! Which will be shown on Tuesday 9th December 2014 at 16:30 on BBC One.

 

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