Britain’s Best Bakery (2014)

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Britain’s Best Bakery Judges Mich Turner and Peter Sidwell standing outside in front of a pond

Britain’s Best Bakery Judges Mich Turner and Peter Sidwell © ITV

Production company: Shine Limited

Kent locations used: Whitstable

Britain’s Best Bakery returns to ITV for a second series in the search for the best independent bakery in the UK.

The expert judges Mitch Turner (TV chef, author and owner of Little Venice Cake Company) and Peter Sidwell (TV chef, cookery writer and restaurateur) must whittle 60 competitors down to one champion as they travel across the UK to choose their favourite bakeries from each region. The remaining contestants will then compete in ‘baking challenges’ to fight for the crown.

In June 2013, the production visited Geoff Champs of Champs Bakery in Whitstable to learn about his business and passion for baking. Will Champs Bakery make it through to the South East final?

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury and is famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful fishing harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene. The area has been previously seen on screen in productions such Venus (2007).

Don’t miss the episode featuring Kent bakery Champs which airs on Thursday 6^th January 2014 on ITV at 16:00.

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.

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies (2012)

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Kent Film Office

Gangsters, Guns & Zombies movie poster- Gangsters, Guns and Zombies written in white with a montage of images from the film around the edge. London skyline is in the distance

Gangsters, Guns & Zombies movie poster © LMV Productions

Director: Matt Mitchell

Writer: Matt and Taliesyn Mitchell

Starring: Vincent Jerome, Huggy Leaver, Fabrizio Santino, Cassandra Orhan, Frank Rizzo, Charlie Rawes

Production Company: LMV Productions

Kent Locations: Swanscome and Whitstable

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies is a horror film about Q (Vincent Jerome), a getaway driver for a group of gangsters who finds himself up against an unexpected enemy when his latest job coincides with the start of a zombie apocalypse.

The film is directed by Matt Mitchell (Quackers, The Rizen) and stars Vincent Jerome (Need to Know, The Few), Huggy Leaver (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Fast & Furious 6), Fabrizio Santino (Captain America: The First Avenger, Hollyoaks) Cassandra Orhan (It Never Sleeps, Breathe), Frank Rizzo (Doghouse, Run Away with Me) and Charlie Rawes (Skiptrace, Olive Green).

The production visited Kent where they filmed at Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe which the location for the first safe-house visited by Q and the gang before it is attacked by zombies. The business park was also used as a stand in for an abandoned hospital and car park.

Gangsters, Guns & Zombies screenshot © LMV Productions

Whitstable Harbour also features heavily in the film’s climax involving Q and the other survivor’s desperate attempts to seek a boat in order to escape the country.

Swanscombe is a town in the Dartford district of Kent which is a historic market town with a rich industrial heritage and Bluewater, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010) and Oscar winning Short Film Wasp (2003) have previously filmed in the Dartford area.

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury, famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene. Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) and Tipping The Velvet (2002) have previously chosen to film in Whitstable.

This film was originally released in cinemas on 2^nd October 2012 and is now available to buy on DVD or through online purchase.

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

The Tapes (2011)

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Kent Film Office

Poster for The Tapes. A bloody hand lies in the snow clutching at a video camera. There is barbed wire wrapped around the wrist. Across the top of the frame is written The Tapes in grey faded text and along the bottom in the same font are the words SEe wHat tHEy sAW.

The Tapes (2011) © Darkside Pictures

Director: Lee Alliston, Scott Bates
Starring: Jason Maza, Arnold Oceng, Natasha Jean Sparkes
Production Company: TiCTaC, Darkside Pictures, Pure Film Productions
Kent Locations Used: Whitstable, The Rose in Bloom Pub

The Tapes (2011) is a British indie horror movie following three Kentish teenagers who find themselves trapped on an abandoned farm being hunted by devil worshippers, whilst trying to record a Big Brother audition tape.

Directed by Lee Alliston (Talaash, Challenge 2) and Scott Bates (PRU (2022), Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022)), The Tapes stars Jason Maza (Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance, Outside Bet) as Danny, Arnold Oceng (The Good Lie, Brotherhood) as Nathan and Natasha Jean Sparkes (Powder Room, Victim) as Gemma.

The film was shot and set in Whitstable, with locations including Whitstable Harbour, Tankerton Slopes, The Rose in Bloom pub and a privately owned abandoned farm, which is the film’s main location.

Whitstable is a seaside town with working fishing harbour, shingle beach and busy high street. The town is famous for its oysters and the harbour has a number of shops in large sheds which sell fish and shellfish or are seafood cafés. Tankerton Slopes are adjacent to Whitstable Harbour and consist of grassy banks covered in beach huts in front of a pebble beach. There are a number of kiosk style cafés, a yacht club and a beach front skate park. Other productions to have filmed in Whitstable around this time are Venus (2007), Gangsters, Guns and Zombies (2012) and Still Life (2013).

The Tapes (2011) was released on Friday 23^rd September 2011 and is currently available to purchase on DVD.

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

The Things I Haven’t Told You (2008)

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Kent Film Office

The Cast of Things I Haven't Told You at the seafront. Three cast members are sat at a bus shelter, one stands next to the sea and the other two are in the front of the shot with their arms around each other

The Cast of Things I Haven’t Told You by the seafront © Tiger Aspect/BBC Three

Writer: Lisa McGee

Director: Marcal Fores

Starring: Elizabeth Day, Nathalie Lunghi, Sophie Loftus, Haruka Abe, Mark Adams, Ryan Sampson and Lenora Chrichlow

Production Company: Tiger Aspect Productions

Kent Filming Locations: Herne Bay, Whitstable, King Ethelbert School in Birchington

Elizabeth Day as Aisling Hunter and Nathalie Lunghi as Geri West © Tiger Aspect/BBC Three

The Things I Haven’t Told You is a BBC Three drama which follows six adolescents attempting to make their way through the traumas of being a teenager.

When super popular Geri West and barely average girl Aisling Hunter suddenly become friends, everyone is suspicious. What does Aisling know about Geri and what does she want in return for her silence?

Then Aisling disappears after a bizarre car accident. Immediately rumours abound: was it really an accident or was it deliberate?

Starring Elizabeth Day, Nathalie Lunghi, Sophie Loftus, Haruka Abe, Mark Adams, Ryan Sampson and Lenora Chrichlow and Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Teachers).

The filming took place in the summer of 2007 and King Ethelbert School in Birchington, Whitstable and Herne Bay are featured.

Whitstable and Herne Bay are popular seaside destinations for Londoners on day trips. Herne Bay is a traditional pebble stone beach flanked with quaint and picturesque beach huts whilst Whitstable has a traditional fishing harbour. Whitstable has been previously seen on screen in productions such as Venus (2007).

Birchington is a coastal village near to Margate which is a vibrant seaside resort, with complementary historic and modern architecture. The Carer (2016), Free Speech (2014) and Exodus (2007) have previously used the Margate area for filming.

Things I Haven’t Told You was shown on BBC Three at 9pm on 17^th March 2008.

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

Venus (2007)

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Kent Film Office

Peter O Toole and Jodie Whittaker staring at each other in front of a painting of Venus

Peter O Toole and Jodie Whittaker in front of a painting of Venus © Buena Vista International Photo Credit Nicola Dove Eyebox

Writer: Hanif Kureishi

Director: Roger Michell

Starring: Peter O’Toole, Leslie Phillips, Beatrice Savoretti, Jodie Whittaker

Production Company: Miramax, FilmFour, UK Film Council, Free Range Films

Kent Filming Locations: Whitstable and The Old Neptune Pub

From the director of Notting Hill (Roger Mitchell), Venus marks the return of Peter O’Toole and Leslie Phillips (Maurice and Ian respectively) to the big screen and is the tale of two aging thespians who never quite hit the big time. When not working, they spend their days bickering until their lives are disrupted by Ian’s grand-niece Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) coming to stay.

Whilst she annoys Ian, Maurice is completely captivated by Jessie and proceeds to show her London’s sights. Spending time together, both learn valuable lessons from the other. Maurice soon realises that despite his age and experience he knows very little of the world and worldly wise Jessie learns the value of respect for herself and others.

A Kentish seaside town provided the location for Maurice’s last trip. After an accident, Maurice realises how frail he is and decides to return to his childhood haunts. Accompanied by Jessie, he is able to dip his toes one last time into the sea at Whitstable.

Landlord of The Old Neptune Pub Dixie Flynn said: ‘We had a great time when they filmed here last year – one of the locals was asked to sit in on one of the scenes. I expect all of us at the pub will go and see it and have a few more drinks. I heard Peter OToole on the radio saying he doesn’t care about an Oscar nomination, but he wants an Oscar. We all hope he gets it.’

The film has won numerous accolades and Peter O’Toole gained a “Best performance by an actor in a leading role” Oscar nomination for his role in the film. O’Toole and Leslie Philips were both nominated for Baftas, for Best Actor in a leading role and best actor in a supporting role respectively.

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury, famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene. Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) and Tipping the Velvet (2002) have previously chosen to film in Whitstable.

Venus was released in cinemas in 2007 and is now available to purchase on DVD.

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

Tipping the Velvet (2002)

Posted on March 17, 2002 by Kent Film Office

Tipping the Velvet dvd cover- two ladies dressed in corsets sat next to each other in front of a red curtain. Tipping the Velvet written in white on top

Production Company: Sally Head Productions

Starring: Keeley Hawes, Rachael Stirling, Anna Chancellor, Sally Hawkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugh Bonneville

Kent Locations used: Whitstable, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Tipping the Velvet is a BBC television drama serial based on Sarah Waters best-selling novel of the same name. Set in the 1890’s, the story focuses on the lesbian love affair between male impersonator music hall star Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes) and Nan Astley (Rachael Stirling).

The series stars many familiar faces including Rachael Stirling (Snow White and the Huntsman, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), Keeley Hawes (Death at a Funeral, The Bank Job), Anna Chancellor (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Dreamers), Sally Hawkins (All or Nothing, Layer Cake), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Iris).

The production team visited Whitstable which doubled as the coastal village where Nancy Astley (Rachael Stirling) lives with her family before she leaves for London and The Historic Dockyard Chatham which was used for the London street scenes.

Production filming at Whitstable beach, lightning equipment pointed towards the sea

Rachel Stirling walking in costume down a muddy track next to white buildings, an umbrella is being held over her by a crew member

Whitstable is a traditional seaside town renowned for its Oysters, which are integrated into its rich history and culture. Whitstable has been used previously for other TV and film projects such as Venus (2007).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a very popular filming location due to its varied Victorian and Georgian period architecture a and has previously welcomed productions such as Mr Selfridge (2013-2014), Les Miserables (2012) and Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (2011).

Tipping The Velvet was shown in 2002 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission