Secret Britain (2016)

Secret Britain,Chris Hollins on North Kent Marshes (RSPB & Dickens stories)

Secret Britain,Chris Hollins on North Kent Marshes (RSPB & Dickens stories) © BBC/James Harrison

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations: Sheldwich, Bonnington, Little Chart, Tonbridge, Rochester, The White Cliffs of Dover, Cooling and North Kent Marshes, St Thomas Becket in Fairfield, Thanet

Secret Britain is a BBC series which explores the hidden corners of the UK in search of the best landscapes in the country.

Now in its third series, the production visited Kent between September and October 2015 to explore some of what Kent’s glorious countryside has to offer.

Presenters Ellie Harrison, Chris Hollins and Denise Lewis filmed at a variety of Kent locations including Sheldwich, Bonnington, Little Chart, Tonbridge, Rochester, Cooling and North Kent Marshes, The White Cliffs of Dover, Fairfield and Thanet Offshore Wind Farm.

Denise Lewis, Will Tebbutt (L-R) abseiling for rock samphire off the White Cliffs of Dover

Denise Lewis, Will Tebbutt (L-R) abseiling for rock samphire off the White Cliffs of Dover © BBC/James Harrison

The village of Sheldwich lies south of Faversham and is on the edge of the beautiful Kent Downs. The Faversham area has been used as a film location for A Taste of Britain (2014), Southcliffe (2013) and Great Expectations (2012).

In the Ashford district of Kent is the village of Bonnington with the The Royal Military Canal running through it as well as Little Chart which is home to the Ruins of St Mary’s Church. The Ashford area  has previously been used as a film location by such The Apprentice (2015), as Emma (2009) and the infamous Kentish series, The Darling Buds of May (1991 – 1993).

The West Kent market town of Tonbridge has a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery with beautiful countryside, castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Productions that have previously filmed in the area include Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and BBC drama Missing (2010).

In the Medway district is the historic town of Rochester and village of Cooling which overlooks the gorgeous North Kent Marshes. The Medway area has previously been seen on screen in Jekyll and Hyde (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

The world famous White Cliffs of Dover offers spectacular views of the English Channel and Dover Castle. This location has previously featured in Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011), On A Clear Day (2005) and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965).

St Thomas Becket in Fairfield is an isolated historic church in the middle of the Romney Marsh which dates back to 1200. The Romney Marsh area has been used as a film location for projects such as The Honourable Woman (2014), Parades End (2012) and Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).

The Thanet Offshore Wind Farm consists of 100 wind turbines which stretches for seven miles. The Thanet area has previously featured on screen in productions such as The Lady in the Van (2015) and Eastenders (2015).

Don’t miss the Kent episode of Secret Britain which will air on Wednesday 6th April 2016 at 21:00 on BBC One.

 

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