Catherine Zeta Jones as Mariette with Oast House in the background © ITV
Director : David Giles, Robert Tronson, Rodney Bennett, Steve Goldie
Writer: H. E Bates, Paul Wheeler, Stephen Bill
Production Company: Excelsior, Yorkshire Television
Kent Filming Locations: Pluckley, Folkestone,
Set in Kent in the 1950’s Darling Buds of May was filmed on location in Pluckley and Folkestone. The programme focused on the Larkin family who appeared to have the ideal family life living off the land.
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Pop and Ma by the River © ITV
Catherine Zeta Jones as Mariette with Oast House in the background © ITV
Buss Farm Oast being worked on before filming © Roger Holmes
Behind the scenes on Folkestone seafront © Shepway District Council
Amazingly, ‘Pop’ Larkin (David Jason) has managed to avoid the tax man. In the first six episodes, tax inspector Cedric (Philip Franks) comes to the farm to collect debts and ends up abandoning his career to live the dream of country living and marry ‘Pop’s’ daughter, Mariette (Catherine Zeta Jones). The programme has long been accredited with launching Catherine Zeta Jones’ career.
The series was hugely successful and achieved high viewing figures throughout its run. The effects are still felt in the lovely village of Pluckley, Kent which still welcomes those seeking a glimpse of the ‘perfick’ life.
For many, Darling Buds of May reflects the dream Kentish Life, involving living in an Oast House and enjoying the countryside that Kent has to offer with family and friends. It is perhaps this, which made the series so popular.
Pluckley to this day remains a sleepy countryside village but it is not only famous for its Darling Buds of May appearances, it is also renowned for its more ghostly inhabitants. Pluckley has earned the title of the most haunted village in Britain. It is said that 12 to 16 ghosts inhabit the village and every year on Halloween tourists inundate the village to see if they too can have a supernatural experience. The village however remains unspoilt and picturesque, reminding visitors of its Kentish beauty as depicted in the series.
The series aired between 1991 and 1993 and is now available to buy on DVD.
For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.
