Filming at Chatham Historic Dockyard: Where Movies Set Sail

Stepping into the Historic Dockyard, feels like walking through centuries of maritime history. Once one of Britain’s most important Royal Navy bases, the dockyard played a crucial role in shipbuilding and naval defence for over 4 centuries. Now with its cobbled streets, timber warehouses and preserved warships create an atmosphere that feels both authentic and cinematic—perfect for anyone interested in maritime history, architecture or the magic of film tourism.

Today, the dockyard is a thriving heritage site offering visitors a blend of museums, exhibitions and hands-on experiences. You can explore the Victorian Ropery still in operation, tour historic vessels like HMS Cavalier and HMS Ocelot, or step inside galleries showcasing everything from naval innovations to life at sea. With cafés, guided tours and seasonal events, it’s a full-day trip that appeals to families, history lovers and film fans alike. The site is easily accessible from London by train, with Chatham Station just a short bus or taxi ride away.

Beyond its rich maritime legacy, Chatham Dockyard stands out as one of the UK’s most popular filming locations thanks to its remarkably preserved period architecture. Production crews love the way the dockyard can effortlessly double as 18th- and 19th-century London streets, naval bases and industrial settings. Its versatility means a single visit often reveals familiar backdrops from multiple eras and genres.

The dockyard has featured in an impressive range of film and TV productions. Major titles include Call the Midwife, which uses the dockyard extensively for Poplar street scenes, as well as Sherlock Holmes, Bridgerton, Les Misérables, The Crown, Enola Holmes, Downton Abbey, and more. Its unique blend of authenticity and atmosphere continues to attract directors from around the world—making it a bucket list location for any film tourism itinerary.

The Covered Slip

No. 3 Covered Slip is one of the most awe-inspiring structures at the Dockyard — a vast, cathedral-like iron and glass building completed in 1838 to allow shipbuilders to work under cover in all weather. Its sweeping, triangular roof was revolutionary for its time, making it one of the world’s earliest wide-span metal structures. Today, the slip has been carefully preserved as a dramatic open exhibition hall, where visitors can wander through the airy space, admire its intricate engineering, and get a sense of the scale of shipbuilding during the Victorian era. Interpretive panels around the building offer insight into how the slip operated, and seasonal events or displays often fill the central floor.

Maritime Facts:

• No. 3 Slip was once the largest timber-roofed structure in Europe, with its roof design later influencing early railway station architecture.

• It was built to construct warships like HMS Arethusa.

• During the 20th century, it played a vital role in supporting naval repair work.

• The combination of open space, industrial textures, and atmospheric lighting has also made it a popular filming location. Its unique interior has been used to portray everything from Victorian factories to atmospheric meeting halls - perfect for big-budget dramas and period productions.

Here are some of the major titles filmed inside No. 3 Slip:

• Children of Men (2006) - Safe House

• The Golden Compass (2007) - Ship Warehouse

• Sherlock Holmes (2009) - Ship Warehouse

• The Aeronauts (2019) - Balloon Factory

• Bridgerton (2020) - Boxing Ring

• Loki Series 2 (2023) - General Dox's Command Centre

• B*witched Birthday music video (2023)

The Historic War Ships

The Dockyard’s trio of historic warships offers one of the most immersive experiences on site, and HMS Cavalier and HMS Gannet are standout highlights. HMS Cavalier, a WWII destroyer launched in 1944, invites visitors to step aboard and explore everything from the bridge to the engine rooms, gaining a real sense of life at sea during wartime. Just a short walk away sits HMS Gannet, a beautifully restored Victorian sloop built in 1878, showcasing Britain’s naval reach during the age of empire. Both ships are open for self-guided exploration, with informative panels, preserved cabins and mess decks, and plenty of atmospheric details that make each visit feel like stepping onto a living museum. Together, they offer a fascinating contrast between Victorian naval innovation and 20th-century wartime engineering.

Maritime facts:

• HMS Cavalier is known as the last surviving Royal Navy destroyer of WWII; she served in the Arctic convoys and the Far East, and she now stands as the National Destroyer Memorial

• HMS Gannet, meanwhile, served on anti-slavery patrols and in the Pacific before spending decades as a training ship.

• Their distinctive decks, engine spaces and exterior views make them popular with film crews seeking authentic naval settings. The contrast between Victorian timber fittings and mid-century steel gives directors multiple eras to work with—making this pair of ships a prime location for both historical documentaries and dramatic productions

Here are some of the notable film and TV projects shot aboard these iconic warships:

• The Mummy (1999) - HMS Cavalier slip

• Victoria & Abdul (2017) - HMS Gannet

• The Mercy (2018) - HMS Gannet

• Operation Mincemeat (2022) - HMS Cavalier

• A Spy Among Friends (2022) - HMS Cavalier

• The Crown (2022) - HMS Cavalier slip

• SAS Rogue Heroes (2025) - HMS Cavalier

The Riverfront

The riverfront at Chatham Historic Dockyard offers some of the most scenic views on the site, stretching along the edge of the River Medway where naval vessels once launched, docked and departed for service around the world. Today, this atmospheric waterfront is a peaceful place to wander, with historic cranes, slipways, and industrial structures framing the landscape. Visitors can stroll along Anchor Wharf, watch the tide roll across the river, and enjoy uninterrupted views of the water, making it a great spot for photography or a quiet break between exhibits. Several walking paths connect the riverfront to the ships, galleries, and historic buildings, so it’s easy to weave this area into your wider visit. Historically, the riverfront played a vital role in the dockyard’s operation—this was where ships were outfitted for sea, where cargo and supplies were loaded, and where generations of shipwrights worked along the waterfront’s bustling quays.

Maritime facts:

• The Medway estuary was once one of Britain’s most strategically important naval waterways.

• The dockyard riverfront supported both wooden sailing ships and later steel warships.

• Several of the cranes standing today date back to the early 20th century.

• Its blend of open vistas, industrial heritage, and period authenticity has also made it a popular filming site, frequently used for scenes requiring docks, waterfront streets, or naval settings

Here are some of the major productions that have used the riverfront as a backdrop:

• Mr Holmes (2015) - Japan streets

• Vanity Fair series (2018) - Dock embark to France

• The Crown Series 5 (2022) - Queen's departure

• Operation Mincemeat (2022) - Submarine base

• Jerk Series 3 (2023) - Film set

The Ropery

The Victorian Ropery is one of the most iconic and atmospheric buildings at Chatham Historic Dockyard, a place where rope has been produced for the Royal Navy for over 400 years. Its most famous feature is the Ropewalk, a ¼-mile-long building where workers once spun and twisted rope by hand, walking great distances as the fibres stretched out behind them. Today, visitors can step inside this extraordinary space to watch live rope-making demonstrations, learn about the craftsmanship involved, and explore the working machinery still used to produce specialist ropes. The experience offers a vivid look into one of the dockyard’s oldest surviving trades, with its warm timber interiors and historic tools creating a distinctly cinematic feel.

Maritime facts:

• It is one of the longest brick buildings in Europe.

• Its rope-making methods have changed remarkably little since the 18th century; and ropes made here once served ships across the British Empire, including during the Napoleonic Wars.

• Visitors can walk the full length of the Ropewalk, browse the adjoining galleries, and even purchase rope made on-site as a unique souvenir.

• Its vast, linear interior and beautifully preserved period architecture have also made it a favourite among filmmakers. Production teams frequently use the Ropery to recreate Victorian factories, workshops and atmospheric industrial scenes.

Here are some of the notable film and TV projects that have been shot inside this remarkable building:

• Grantchester (2014)

• The Aeronauts (2019)

• Horrible Histories (2020)

• Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

The Tarred Yarn Store

The Tarred Yarn Store is one of the dockyard’s most atmospheric industrial buildings, once central to the rope-making process that kept the Royal Navy’s ships seaworthy. Here, yarns were coated in hot tar to strengthen them against the harsh conditions at sea, creating a distinct smell and darkened appearance that became part of the dockyard’s working environment. Today, the building stands as a beautifully preserved reminder of this essential craft. Visitors can walk through the space to see where the yarns were treated, admire the heavy timber beams and iron fittings, and get a sense of the intense labour that took place within these walls. Its raw, textured interior offers a fascinating contrast to the grand scale of the Ropery next door.

Historically, tarred yarn was indispensable for making durable ropes used on warships, and the store played a crucial role in preparing materials for both the sail-driven vessels of the 18th and 19th centuries and later naval fleets.

Maritime facts:

• The building’s layout was designed to maximise ventilation due to the strong fumes

• Tarred yarn was vital for preventing rot in rigging

• The store helped supply rope for major conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars.

• Its dark, atmospheric aesthetic—with weathered walls, moody lighting, and authentic industrial details—has also made it a favourite location for film and TV productions seeking gritty, period-appropriate interiors.

Here are some of the notable scenes and titles that have used the Tarred Yarn Store as a backdrop:

• Les Miserables (2012)

• Holmes & Watson (2018)

• Bridgerton (2020)

• Pennyworth (2021)

• The Great Series 3 (2023)

• Ed Sheeran - Eyes Closed piano version

• Hozier - Francesca

• Soft Play - Punks Dead

The Admiral's Office & Church

The Admiral’s Office and the Dockyard Church form one of the most architecturally elegant corners of Chatham Historic Dockyard. The Admiral’s Office, built in the early 18th century, is a refined Georgian building that once housed the dockyard’s senior naval officers and administrative staff. Today, its well-preserved exterior and period charm make it a fascinating stop as you explore the site.

Nearby stands the Dockyard Church, originally built in 1808 as a spiritual and social hub for dockyard workers and their families. Although it no longer functions as a church, the restored building now hosts exhibitions, events and community activities. Visitors can admire its striking façade, wander through its bright interior, and appreciate the contrast between naval formality and ecclesiastical design.

Historically, both buildings played vital roles in the daily life and governance of the dockyard. The Admiral’s Office was the decision-making centre during the dockyard’s peak, overseeing ship construction, logistics and wartime operations. The church, meanwhile, served as a gathering place not just for worship but for ceremonies, announcements and community support.

Maritime facts:

• The Dockyard Church was one of the first garrison churches built specifically for naval workers; it was heavily damaged by fire in 2003 and later restored.

• The Admiral’s Office retains many original architectural features from the Georgian era.

• Their timeless exteriors and period authenticity have made these buildings attractive filming locations, often used to represent elegant 18th- or 19th-century institutions, offices and civic buildings.

Here are some of the notable productions that have filmed in this part of the dockyard

• Call the Midwife (2012) - Church

• Downton Abbey (2013) - Church

• Pennyworth (2021) - Admiral's Office

The Old Gate

The Old Gate, also known as the Main Gate, is one of the most recognisable historic entrances to Chatham Historic Dockyard. Built in the early 18th century, it once served as the primary access point to the naval base, controlling the flow of workers, materials and visitors entering the secured military site. Today, the gate still stands proudly with its brick archway, wooden doors and traditional detailing, offering a striking first impression for anyone approaching the dockyard. As you walk through, you can almost imagine the thousands of shipwrights, officers and craftsmen who passed beneath it each day during the dockyard’s busiest centuries. Its position near the visitor entrance also makes it an easy landmark to include at the start or end of any self-guided tour. Historically, the Old Gate played an essential role in dockyard operations, serving as a checkpoint for security and administration.

Maritime facts:

• It was part of the original defensive perimeter surrounding the dockyard.

• Its design reflects the practical Georgian military style of the period.

• It once housed gatekeepers responsible for monitoring daily labour and deliveries.

• Its preserved architecture, narrow passageway and sense of period authenticity have made it a popular filming location. Directors frequently use the Old Gate to portray historic city entrances, industrial gateways or naval checkpoints in period dramas.

Here are some of the major films and TV productions that have used this atmospheric corner of the dockyard:

• Sherlock Holmes (2009)

• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

• Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

• Joan - ITV series (2024)

The Historic Street

The Ropery alley/street is one of the most atmospheric areas at Chatham Historic Dockyard, lined with historic brick buildings and cobbled pathways that evoke life in a bustling naval town. Originally home to workshops, offices, and residences for dockyard workers, it provides visitors with a real sense of how the community around the yard lived and worked. Today, this area is fully accessible to visitors, offering a charming stroll past restored buildings, interpretive signs, and occasional craft demonstrations. Its narrow lanes and period architecture make it a perfect stop for photography, history enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to experience the everyday life of a working dockyard from centuries past. Historically, this street was central to the dockyard’s social and industrial life.

Maritime facts:

• Many of the buildings date back to the 18th and early 19th centuries.

• It housed skilled craftsmen such as shipwrights, carpenters, and sailmakers.

• It served as a hub for the dockyard community, with small shops and homes intertwined with workshops.

• Its authentic cobbles, timber-framed facades, and preserved street layout have also made it a favourite among filmmakers. The area is often used to represent historic urban streets or industrial neighbourhoods in period dramas and cinematic productions.

Here are some of the notable films and TV series that have featured Old Street as a backdrop:

• The Bank Job (2008)

• Sherlock Holmes (2009)

• Les Miserables (2012)

• Call the Midwife (2012)

• Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

• Grantchester (2014)

• Jekyll & Hyde series (2015)

• Bridgerton (2020)

• Operation Mincemeat (2022)

• Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

• Jerk Series 3 (2023)

• Blitz (2024)

• 1975 - 'I'm In Love With You' music video

Visiting Chatham Historic Dockyard is more than just a journey through Britain’s naval past—it’s a chance to step into the very streets, buildings, and ships that have appeared on screen in some of the UK’s most iconic films and TV shows. From the vast, cathedral-like expanse of No. 3 Slip to the atmospheric alleyways of Ropery Alley, every corner of the dockyard tells a story, both historical and cinematic. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a film fan, or simply looking for a unique day out, the dockyard offers an immersive experience that brings the past vividly to life.

For film tourists, in particular, the dockyard provides a rare opportunity to connect with the real locations behind the productions you love. Walking through the Victorian Ropery, exploring HMS Cavalier, or pausing at the Old Gate, you can picture the scenes that were brought to life here and imagine yourself on set alongside the crews and actors. With so much to explore, Chatham Historic Dockyard remains a must-visit destination for anyone fascinated by naval heritage, industrial craftsmanship, and the magic of the movies—all wrapped up in one unforgettable experience.