We all look forward to sitting down with family at Christmas time and turning on the television to watch a festive special of our favourite programmes.

And this year, two of the prime-time evening options on Christmas Day have one thing in common – they were both filmed in Kent.

Once again, BBC and ITV will battle it out for viewers as two Christmas specials go head-to-head – Call The Midwife and The Larkins.

It simply wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to Nonnatus House and Call The Midwife will air on BBC One at 8pm.

Keen-eyed viewers may recognise locations from The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, as this has been the set for the past 10 series of the show.

The Fitted Rigging House is used as a replica for the Lisbon Buildings and Rakesby Street Homeless Shelter.

The Admiral’s Offices exteriors double as Poplar Maternity Home and the London Hospital – the architecture and design make them the perfect place to imitate Victorian London.

At 9pm, ITV hits back with its very own prime-time spectacular: The Larkins Christmas Special.

The festive show sees Mariette and Charley return to Kent for Christmas.

However, chaos quickly descends when a power cut leaves the entire village without lighting or heating.

And the local pantomime has villagers on the edge of their seats, while the love between Mariette and Charley heads to the next level too.

The majority was filmed in an unknown village in north Kent – mainly on a farm which transforms into Larkin's Farm in the show.

Gabrielle Lindermann from the Kent Film Office in Maidstone was involved in organising locations across Kent for big production companies.

She said: "We've got still quaint villages and we've got some modern towns, so I think it is not every county that has the kind of variety that Kent has.

"The coastline is on the top spot shortly followed, I think, by Chatham Dockyard, which is such an incredibly unique location with so many things to offer, from Georgian to Victorian to various boats.

"The Larkins have actually explored and filmed much more in the rural sector in the north-west Kent area and that is still very popular, but it hasn't been filmed that much."

She believes the proximity to London is also another big factor that draws big producers to Kent.

Horrible Histories is back with another Christmas special for the little ones, which is now showing on BBC iPlayer.

The Historic Dockyard has also featured heavily in filming over various series of the show.

Scenes have been filmed around the Ropery and Commissioner's House, as well as the submarine HMS Ocelot.

Allington Castle and Gardens in Maidstone, which was built in the 12th Century, also features in series eight and nine.

It has been used to replicate the Tower of London as well as the Palace of Versailles and a Tudor castle.

After the spectacular final of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing saw actress Rose Ayling-Ellis lifting the glitterball, the show will return for another special on Christmas Day at 4.40pm.

Back in 2019, the special was partly filmed at Leeds Castle near Maidstone.

They filmed the exterior on Castle Island and then interior scenes in the old library.

Professional dancers and celebrities also visited the famous Christmas market on the Cedar Lawn.

Once again, there is sure to be plenty of yuletide joy as the couples battle it out to be crowned Christmas champions.

Two years ago, Canterbury Cathedral became the star of the BBC show 'Britain's Christmas Story'.

Starring Gareth Malone and Karen Gibson, the two-part series explored some classic festive traditions.

The city's cathedral, high street and Dane John Gardens could all be spotted on the small screen, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury making an appearance.

Canterbury Cathedral is a world heritage site and is the oldest and most renowned cathedral in England so there is no wonder it is such a popular filming location.

The special is a great educational watch and looks into how carolling is just as much about the dancing as it is the singing.

Everyone loves a bit of comedy at Christmas time, and in 2018 'Trollied: The Wedding' provided just that.

The Cruise Terminal at the Port of Dover was used as the set for the Dublin and Holyhead Ferry Ports.

You can spot Dover in the scene which sees Gavin and his friends panicking that they will miss the wedding.

The Sky One special sees Gavin and Cheryl leave Valcro and head for a new life in Calais.

It all goes wrong when a stag-do goes awry and the cast struggle to get back for the wedding.

Leeds Castle seems to be a popular location for the BBC, with the 2016 Bargain Hunt Christmas Special also set within the grounds.

Charlie Ross presented the show from the Kent Showground and he also went along to visit Leeds Castle where he learns about the history of Christmas decorations.

The Detling Showground was also the filming location for Bargain Hunt in 2012.

Leeds Castle was the perfect setting for a history lesson with period rooms, gardens, a moat, woodlands, maze, shell grotto and an aviary.

In that same year it was also the chosen location for producers to shoot 'The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses'.

This next one is slightly strange and somewhat controversial – The Only Way is Essex. But this isn't The Only Way is Kent, I hear you say?

The cast seemed to enjoy our beautiful heritage and countryside in their 2014 special though.

The original diva, Gemma Collins, was in attendance at the show's luxury Christmas party which was held at Lympne Castle with views of Romney Marsh.

It is an unspoiled 13th century castle, fit for the kings and queens of reality TV.

The 1995 Hercule Poirot's Christmas has a strong link back to Kent and you may be able to spot some familiar places if you can find the DVD.

David Suchet, who played the Belgian detective, visited Chilham as part of his adventures which are written by Agatha Christie.

For this drama, the beautiful Kentish village was completely transformed into a winter wonderland and is a personal favourite of Ms Lindermann at the film office as she said the location was "beautiful".

A layer of snow covered the timber framed houses lining the square in a picturesque postcard fashion and Chilham Castle also represented the family home.

This was the first time the village was used for filming but many others have now followed suit, including an adaptation of Miss Marple.

For an extra added bonus this Christmas, you can see Kent's little hero, Tony Hudgell, in ITV's Royal Carols: Together at Christmas.

It was filmed at Westminster Abbey earlier this month and many celebrities were in attendance.

Little Tony even had the chance to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the ceremony after receiving a personal invitation from the Duchess.

Tony's adoptive Mum, Paula Hudgell tweeted that the occasion was "truly incredible".

The concert will be broadcast on ITV this evening at 7.30pm.

Ms Lindemann and her team at the film office put in a lot of work to ensure that filming it Kent goes smoothly.

She said: "We also look after the residents and businesses of Kent to make sure that people get notified and that disruption is kept to a minimum.

"If they have guns, and so forth, we deal with Kent Police to make sure that people waving prop guns around don't get arrested for armed robbery or for impersonating police officers.

"Literally anything and everything that is needed to get them to come and film with us.

"We recently had a request for the town clock to be stopped booming for a day or so."

But she says the people of Kent are usually very understanding when the film crews turn up outside their house.

She added: "They'll have 150 people coming into their street and their home and ask them to park somewhere else.

"They'll just be incredibly gracious for letting that happen but it is an intrusion. We are very aware of it.

"We are really, really grateful that by and large, Kent is so friendly to all the film makers and we are ever so grateful for it."