ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
filmed in kent cont.
The Darling Buds of May (1991–1993)
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Directed by: David Giles, Robert Tronson, Rodney Bennett
and Steve Goldie
Written by: H.E Bates, Paul Wheeler and Stephen Bill
Kent locations used: Pluckley, Folkestone and Tenterden
Directed by: Joe Wright
Written by: Deborah Moggach
Starring: Keira Knightley, Brenda Blethyn, Matthew Macfadyen,
Judy Dench, Talulah Riley, Kelly Reilly, Rosamund Pike, Donald Sutherland,
Jena Malone and Carey Mulligan
Kent locations used: Groombridge Place and Gardens
One of Britain’s bestloved series,
celebrating the
‘perfick’ life in the
Garden of England
in the 1950s, The
Darling Buds of May
was filmed on
location in Pluckley,
Tenterden and
Folkestone. Having
starred David Jason,
Phillip Franks and
Catherine Zeta
Jones among
others, the series
was hugely
successful. For
many, The Darling
Buds of May
reflected the dream
Kentish life that
involved living in an
oast house and
enjoying the
countryside.
Jane Austen’s classic love story
Pride and Prejudice is adapted
for the big screen, with an allstar cast which follows Elizabeth
Bennet through the trials and
tribulations of love in the 1800s.
A first encounter between head
strong Elizabeth and Mr Darcy
leaves Elizabeth hating him, but
are they able to overcome their
‘pride and prejudice’ to realise
that they truly are meant to be
together?
Groombridge Place and
Gardens in Tunbridge Wells was
chosen as the perfect location
for filming, making use of the
17th-century house, gardens,
woodlands and lake which
doubled as the Bennet’s house
and grounds. Jane Austen has many connections with the county as her
family originated from Kent and her brother, Edward Knight, owned
Godmersham Park, which lies between Ashford and Canterbury.
Bleak House (2005)
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Directed by: Justin Chadwick, Susanna White
Written By: Charles Dickens (novel) and Andrew Davies (adaptation)
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Ana Maxwell Martin, Carey Mulligan, Charles
Dance, Patrick Kennedy and Denis Lawson
Kent Locations Used: Cobham Hall
Directed by: Justin Chadwick
Written by: Peter Morgan
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Kristin Scott
Thomas, David Morrissey and Benedict Cumberbatch
Kent locations used: Knole House, Dover Castle and Penshurst Place
The screen adaptation of
Philippa Gregory’s bestselling novel The Other
Boleyn Girl is a dramatic
story of love, passion and
ambition set in the cut-throat
court of Henry VIII. Mary,
considered the more
beautiful sister, gains the
young king’s attention and
becomes his mistress.
However, when it becomes
politically advantageous,
Mary is cast aside for her
young sister Anne and she
can only watch Anne’s
ruthless pursuit of the
crown.
Charles Dickens’ immense and interconnected story of deceit, murder and
scandal set in Victorian England was a huge hit when it was published in
1852, and a huge hit again when it was serialised for television in 2005.
Split into 19 parts just like the original story had been, we see the beautiful
but cold Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson) desperately trying to keep her
past a secret from lawyer Tulkinghorn (Charles Dance). Lady Dedlock’s
impressive home in Chesley Wold was filmed at Cobham Hall School.
The Boleyn family had
extensive connections with
Kent, having lived in Hever
Castle while Henry VIII
adored Knole. With this connection in mind, filming took place at three
locations across Kent, starting with Knole in Sevenoaks, before moving on
to Penshurst Place near Tonbridge and also Dover Castle.
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