Film and TV tours launching at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Running from July to September, Film Location Tours will take visitors behind the camera during the 90-minute experience, looking at how the site has been transformed into everything from Georgian London to wartime Europe for the screen. 

The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s cobbled streets, grand buildings and historic ships have served as the backdrop has been a filming location for major studios including Warner Brothers, Universal Pictures, Sony Productions and Netflix. It has been the location for productions for more than 40 years, from Bridgerton to Les Misérables and Blitz to Loki.

The attraction has also been used by musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Hozier for music videos. Call the Midwife continues to be filmed at the Historic Dockyard Chatham and Call the Midwife Official Location Tours are led by costumed guides who focus on the sets, costumes and props used in the series.

Led by guides who have supported filming at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, tours will take visitors to walk in the footsteps of cast and crew, exploring off-limits areas. The tours will also look at how filmmakers shoot films and TV in a working heritage site, and how the historic spaces are reimagined on screen, including areas of the dockyard which have featured on screen include the cobbled streets and terraces used to recreate London.

Olivia Horner, director of commercial and operations at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, said: “We’re excited to launch a new evening experience at the Historic Dockyard. The Film Location Tour brings together two things we’re known for: rich history and great storytelling.

“Visitors will get a rare behind the scenes look at how our historic spaces are transformed for the big and small screen. Whether you’re a film fan or just curious, it’s a fresh way to see the Dockyard and discover the role it plays in some of your favourite productions.”

Group visits

Groups of 15 of more can visit the Historic Dockyard Chatham at a discounted rate, with free entry for coach drivers and group organisers, bespoke itineraries and exclusive themed tours and exclusive group meals and picnic options at The Mess Deck and Wagon Stop Canteen.

Highlights of a visit include Hearts of Oak, a walking cinema which tells the story of a dockyard worker, the Historic Railway, three historic warships – HMS Gannet, HMS Cavalier and HM Submarine Ocelot, and Steam, Steel & Submarines which tells the story of the dockyard through the industrial revolution and two world wars.

Guided tours available for groups include Call the Midwife Official Location Tours, the Historic Dockyard Tour, Women of the Dockyard, The Ropery and HM Submarine Ocelot.