What some people don’t know is that the popular BBC One TV series Call the Midwife is actually filmed in Chatham, Kent. The Historic Dockyard is transformed into 1960s Poplar for the filming, with the place of historical significance hosting Neal Street Productions each year, as they create a brand new series of the beloved programme. Now 13 seasons in and focusing on the East End during 1969, fans of the show can book to visit the Call the Midwife Official Location Tour in Kent. Led by a guide from Brit Movie Tours in a midwife uniform, my Mum and I recently joined one of the dockyard’s first tours of the season, learning about how the production crew were able to dress the site for the series and also trick viewers into thinking that the interior and exterior locations were all filmed in the same place. My Mum has watched the show since the very beginning and I thought it would make a great birthday present.
About the tour
The Official Call the Midwife Tour focuses on the exterior locations of the series, specifically the streets and buildings which make up the tenements of Poplar. The interior scenes were actually filmed in a TV studio in Surrey. A guide dressed as a midwife meets you near the Call the Midwife-themed car, before showing you HMS Cavalier, the Captain’s Offices which acts as the London Hospital in the series, the alleys where the midwife’s cycle and more. For each location, the guide references specific episodes that were filmed in that exact place, as well as insights from the production process.
It is the private exhibition which features photos, props and costumes from past series that is the highlight of the tour. Neal Street Productions have set up the waiting room, doctor’s surgery, the dining table in Nonnatus House and more, providing visitors with a taste of the interior world of Call the Midwife. I loved seeing the costumes, old toys, beauty products and memorabilia up close when walking past the displays.
Prices and tour schedule
On Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from March to October, there are afternoon tours which run for approximately 90 minutes (1pm on Thursdays and 2pm at the weekend). Priced at £40 per person for 2024, visitors can enjoy the tour and have full access to the dockyard before or after. It is available for purchase via the historical sight’s website, Get Your Guide and Viator, which in our case was extremely handy as I was able to redeem some Viator loyalty points from our Salzburg tours last year. I also paid slightly less than this for the tickets, booking in October 2023.
Is it worth the money?
£40 is expensive for a 90 minute experience, but it can be perceived as better value for money when considering that this price includes entrance to the dockyard as well. The tour itself is absolutely brilliant for fans of the series and without it, you wouldn’t be able to go inside the private exhibit of props and sets. I think it is worth the money, but if you happen to also like maritime or World War II history as well, I’d definitely try and make a day of it!
Would I recommend the tour?
As somebody who hasn’t watched the programme for years, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to revisit the ‘Poplar’ location and see how it has changed. I also find behind-the-scenes attractions so interesting and on this one you get to learn so much about Neal Street Production’s process.
I wanted to reserve the final say for my Mum on this one as she has watched every series and Christmas special for the past 12 years. She thought it was a nice way to spend the afternoon and was particularly impressed by the props and memorabilia. Furthermore, she loved seeing Violet Gee Haberdashery, Fred’s Shop and the dining table from Nonnatus House. When asked if other fans would like the tour, she responded with a resounding yes!
Head over to the Historic Dockyard’s website to find out more about the Official Call the Midwife Location Tour.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
Comments