The Great British Bake Off (2014)

Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry in the Great British Bake Off tent perched on a table

Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry © BBC, Love Productions, Mark Bourdillon

Production Company: Love Productions

Kent Locations Used: Viking Bay, Broadstairs

The fifth series of the hit cookery show The Great British Bake Off returns with experts Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry judging 12 contestants who battle it out in the kitchen to be crowned the Great British Bake Off Best Amateur Baker. 

Presented by comic duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, the new series marks a move from BBC Two to a prime-time BBC One slot and features both the oldest and youngest competitors ever featured on the show.

Chetna baking behind a kitchen counter in the Bake Off tent

Chetna © BBC, Love Productions, Mark Bourdillon

Mum of two and Broadstairs resident Chetna Makan is also competing to win the accolade. Chetna is a fashion designer from Mumbai who moved to the UK 10 years ago. She runs a curry club for her friends and enjoys combining her mum’s traditional recipes with British baking as well as using her creative flair in the kitchen.

The Great British Bake Off filmed in Kent with Chetna and her family in their local area where they visited Viking Bay beach in Broadstairs.

Broadstairs is a coastal town in East Kent and sandy beach, Viking Bay beach is lined with traditional beach huts, a band stand and large Victorian terraces as well as a busy high street and many food and drink establishments. The area has previously been used for filming by productions such as True Love (2012), and The Fixer (2008). 

See how Chetna gets on and tune into the new series of The Great British Bake Off which starts on Wednesday 6th August 2014 on BBC One at 20:00.

 

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


Great British Railway Journeys (2014)

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. 


By Royal Appointment (2008)

By Royal Appointment written in a cartoon of an old envelope on a wooden background

By Royal Appointment Ident © KMB Productions

Kent Locations: Tunbridge Wells

By Royal Appointment explores the South East region collecting regal traditions and legacies of Royal connections. The series also features appearances from members of the Royal family including Princess Michael of Kent and Her Majesty the Queen.

Hannah Scott-Joynt sat down smiling at the camera with gardens and pathway behind her

Hannah Scott-Joynt presenter of By Royal Appointment © KMB Productions

In episode three, presenter Hannah Scott-Joynt visits Royal Tunbridge Wells to discover its noble past. Hannah’s visit takes her through the celebrated Pantiles famous for its Chalybeate Spring , whose waters attracted visitors from across the UK in Georgian times because of their healing properties. In 1909 Tunbridge Wells was given the right to use the word ‘Royal’ by King Edward VII and is still one of only two towns to be allowed to use the prefix.

After her visit to the Pantiles, Hannah partakes in a rather competitive game of Croquet with the local Croquet Club.

The influx of visitors in Georgian and Victorian times means that the area is filled with beautiful period architecture.  Its popularity has never waived and it is still a favourite with both tourists and filmmakers today.

Tunbridge Wells is a town in West Kent, home to a host of historic buildings, specialist shops, churches and a busy town centre. Productions which have previously filmed in the area include Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year (2016), Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015)  and Hunted (2012).

By Royal Appointment visits Royal Tunbridge Wells on Thursday 17th July 2008 on Meridian at 19.30.

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