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Tourist Profile


Call the dockyard – we want to make a film!


WHETHER you’re keen on boats or blockbuster movies, there’s plenty to interest you at the Historic Dockyard Chatham.


While proudly proclaiming its glorious past as a


royal shipyard, the 80-acre visitor attraction has added another starring role as a major location for films and television.


The site features in productions ranging from music videos to documentaries to big screen epics.


Recently, it has provided backdrops as 1950s


London docklands for the hugely popular TV series “Call The Midwife” and as 19th century France for the movie version of “Les Miserables” starring Russell Crowe.


Production companies love to use the dockyard’s historic


environment with its cobbled streets, industrial buildings and fine Georgian and Victorian architecture. The dockyard’s popularity is also attributed to plenty of space for support vehicles as well as its “film crew friendly” team and discreet attitude.


For more than 400 years until its closure in 1984, Chatham Dockyard produced and repaired ships for the Royal Navy, including Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory. The 18th century core of the much larger site became the historic dockyard. It now provides a home for the submarine HMS Ocelot, which was launched in 1962, and the World War Two destroyer HMS Cavalier.


The dockyard reopens to visitors on February 16 with the


very popular exhibition “art in the dockyard” which happens every other year. Artists from all over Kent have submitted their works of art for judging in January – and the standard is incredibly high. Also running from February 16 for the half term week are family activities called Picture This – a collage and painting activity, a rope trail around the site and arts and crafts activities.


Productions which have used the Historic Dockyard include:


Big Screen Pictures Les Miserables 2012


Following a two-hour guided walking tour, visitors and film


buffs can take a cinematic journey through the dockyard at night, seeing stills from films at the actual locations. Places are limited and must be pre-booked.


Besides its growing reputation in the film industry, the


site is a treasure trove of maritime history including a wide range of attractions, iconic buildings and famous ships to explore. The No.1 Smithery hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions.


Opening dates and times for 2013:


Feb 16 – Dec 1, 2013 10am - 4pm during GMT 10am - 6pm during BST


14 Mid Kent Living


All tickets are valid for 12 months from date of first visit


2013 admission prices are: Adult £17.50 Concession: £15 Child: £11


Family: £47


Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 2011 Sherlock Holmes 2009 Amazing Grace 2006


The World is Not Enough (James Bond) 1999 Diamonds Are Forever 1971


Television Foyles War 2009 Oliver Twist 2007 Vanity Fair Tipping The Velvet Our Mutual Friend Around The World in 80 Days C.A.T.S. Eyes


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