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Netflix's Bridgerton filmed in Kent at Chatham Dockyard

15:05, 02 January 2021

updated: 14:15, 07 January 2021

Did you recognise parts of Kent in Netflix's new period drama Bridgerton?

The popular eight-part series - which was released on Christmas Day - is currently the number one show in the UK on the streaming service.

Bridgerton is set in Regency-era London. Picture: PA Photo/Netflix/Liam Daniel
Bridgerton is set in Regency-era London. Picture: PA Photo/Netflix/Liam Daniel

The show, based on Julia Quinn's novels, follows the Bridgerton family in 1813 when eldest daughter Daphne is making her debut in society.

What follows is countless balls, schemes, romances and scandals.

It stars Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton, Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset the Duke of Hastings, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Viscount Bridgerton and Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury.

Although set in London, Bridgerton was filmed in many locations across the country, including Bath and York.

But some scenes were also shot in Kent at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham.

This includes inside the boxing saloon when the Duke practices the sport, and inside Will - the Duke's friend and sparring partner - and Alice’s apartment, one of the more modest homes in the series.

The scene in which Lady Featherington - played by Polly Walker - takes Marina - played by Ruby Barker - to the slums was also filmed at the dockyard.

References are also made to the Archbishop of Canterbury during the show when he is asked for an expedited marriage license.

Twitter user @BestOfMedway took to social media after spotting the familiar dockyard: "Like most of the population I have just binged watched the fabulous Bridgerton and was thrilled and amazed to see so many scenes containing Medways own @DockyardChatham."

Olivia Horner, head of visitor enterprise at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said: "We were delighted to host the Bridgerton cast and crew at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

"They used a number locations around the Dockyard and those who know the site well will instantly recognise some of our iconic backdrops in key scenes.

"We’re thrilled the show has been so well received, and, like everyone else who has enjoyed season one, have our fingers crossed for future episodes."

This is not the first time the dockyard has been used as a filming location.

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton. Picture: PA Photo/Netflix
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton. Picture: PA Photo/Netflix

It played a key role during the filming of both Robert Downey Jr-led Sherlock Holmes movies, Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011).

It cropped up again in 2012 in Les Misérables, starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

The dockyard was used extensively, with it doubling as a factory, court room, hospital and various streets.

Gladiator star Crowe was spotted in the Ship and Trades pub during the production.

The Mummy (1999), The Golden Compass (2007), Children of Men (2006) and Mr Turner (2014) also used the dockyard as a location.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham's Mast House
The Historic Dockyard Chatham's Mast House

To see what other big budget movies were shot in the county, click here.

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