Kent County is the oldest country in England and is also called the Garden of England, this phrase dates back to Henry VIII. It is almost iconic because of its magnificent landscapes, picturesque seaside towns and beaches, historical buildings, museums, and castles. It is no wonder that many famous filmmakers were inspired by its rich cultural history and nature and used several spots and sights around the county as filming locations. Today it is also possible to visit many of them: how about planning a beautiful Kent tour instead of gambling online roulette the next weekend?
Margate (Empire of Light, 2023, True Love, 2012)
The romantic drama Empire of Light was set in Margate. One of the oldest seaside resorts in England, Margate has a rich history: the first recordings about it date back to the 13th century. The Dreamland Amusement Park is still one of the greatest tourist attractions in Margate, as the contemporary art gallery, the Theatre Royal, and Margate Museum. In Empire of Light, Dreamland Park transforms into Empire Cinema, the working place of Hilary, played by brilliant Olivia Colman.
The film tells a love story that unfolds in a very picturesque old family movie theater on the South Coast of England in the 1980s. In a place where people's relationships are transformed into selfless service to duty and their feelings. It is a story about love, racism, and mental illness.
Dartford Crossing in Dartford (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, 2010)
This location which made its appearance in the most magical franchise in the world is at the top of our list. Do you remember the spectacular scene from the seventh film of the Harry Potter franchise, where Hagrid and Harry are flying over the bridge and being chased by terrifying Death Eaters? This iconic chase, known as the Flight from Little Whinging and the Battle of Seven Potters, was very dangerous for all members of the Order of Phoenix: Alastor Moody was killed, and George Weasley lost his ear. This scene was filmed at the Dartford Crossing or Dartford-Thurrock River crossing, a road between Dartford in Kent and Thurrock in Essex. It is the busiest and one of the most important road crossings in Great Britain.Dover Castle in Dover (The Other Boleyn Girl, 2008)
Many scenes of this historical drama about Anne and Mary Boleyn, played by Hollywood superstars Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, were filmed at several Kentish locations, including Dover Castle and Knole House. The majestic medieval Dover Castle is and was founded in the 11th century by King Henry II Plantagenet. It is one of the most beautiful and popular southeastern Kent attractions. The Dover Castle is also the largest in fortress in England and had a significant importance as a defensive fortress and observation point (that's why people described it as the Key to England).Groombridge Place in Tunbridge Wells (Pride and Prejudice, 2005)
The Groombridge manor house was used in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley, and Carey Mulligan. Located on the Kent border, this moated manor house has a rich history. The manor house from the 17th century is surrounded by beautiful gardens, and one of them, the drunken garden, was the favorite garden of the famous writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Besides Pride and Prejudice the Groombridge Place made its appearance in The Draughtsman's Contract in 1982.Chatham Historic Dockyard in Chatham (Children of Men, 2006, Sherlock Holmes, 2009)
The post-apocalyptic epic Children of Men starring Clive Owen was filmed in many locations around the UK, including Chatham Historic Docks in the scene where Owen's character Theo is taken to a hideout. The Chatham Historic Dockyard is a building of a former naval dockyard, a maritime museum, and one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Chatham. The Chatham's Historic Dockyard is the real gem: it was used in many other films. In the 2009 adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, the Dockyard made its appearance as a setting for a murder. The Historic Dockyard also featured in the Secret Invasion (2023), the new Marvel mini-series about Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, and the Crown as Cobham Hall, the 16th-century manor house. Knole Park in Sevenoaks (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, 2011)
In the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film there is a scene where Joshamee Hamish Gibbs, the first mate of Captain Jack the Sparrow, was to be shackled in the gallows. The filming location for this scene was Knole Park with the 18th-century manor house. The Knole Park is the 400-hectare deer park enclosed in the 15th century and surrounds the Knole House, one of the largest houses in England. The Knole House was built in the 15th century. Interestingly, the Knole House also appeared in another film from our list, The Other Boleyn Girl.
