Chatham Dockyard: Call the Midwife Walking Tour & Costumes

Summary

Walk Poplar’s streets at Chatham Dockyard with show secrets and costume displays

You’ll step right onto familiar Call the Midwife filming locations at Chatham Dockyard with a real midwife guiding you through behind-the-scenes stories. See original costumes and props up close, wander historic cobbled streets used for Poplar on TV, and enjoy full access to this sprawling heritage site. It all feels surprisingly personal — you might even catch yourself picturing life in those old uniforms.

What’s the experience like?

I can still smell the faint tang of old rope and engine oil from the morning we wandered through Chatham Historic Dockyard — it hit me right as our guide (a real midwife, which felt oddly comforting) stopped beside a brick archway. She pointed out how this spot becomes Poplar on screen. I’d watched those scenes so many times but standing there, with seagulls wheeling overhead and the wind tugging at my scarf, it felt different. Someone in our group tried to guess which episode was filmed by the old warehouse door — our guide just grinned and told us a little story about Nurse Trixie tripping over a cable during filming. That made everyone laugh, even though I think we all imagined ourselves in those uniforms for a second.

The Call the Midwife location tour is only 90 minutes, but it doesn’t feel rushed. We’d shuffle along cobbles that looked straight out of the 1950s, while our guide explained how they hide modern details for filming (apparently there’s a whole trick to covering up satellite dishes). At one point I caught a whiff of something sweet — maybe someone nearby was baking? Or maybe it was just my brain mixing up memories of tea and biscuits from watching too much TV. Anyway, seeing the actual costumes up close in the gallery was surreal. The fabrics aren’t as crisp as you’d expect; they look lived-in, like they’ve seen long days on set.

I didn’t expect to care about the dockyard itself, but honestly, it’s massive — these Georgian buildings go on forever. Our guide mentioned more than 100 of them across 80 acres, which made me feel tiny and kind of awed. There were families with prams and older fans who knew every character’s name. Someone asked about accessibility and she said everything’s wheelchair-friendly here (which is true — no awkward steps or anything). By the end I found myself lingering by one of those big wooden doors, just listening to distant hammering echoing around like something from another time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Call the Midwife filming locations tour

• Arrive at Historic Dockyard Chatham
• Join 90-minute guided walking tour
• Explore 1950s and 1960s Poplar filming sites
• Walk in footsteps of show characters
• View original costumes and props exhibition
• Discover historic warships and galleries
• Tour over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings

Top questions

How long is the Call the Midwife tour at Chatham Dockyard?

The guided walking tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours (90 minutes).

Is entry to Chatham Historic Dockyard included with the tour?

Yes, entry to Chatham Historic Dockyard is included with your ticket.

Are there original costumes or props from Call the Midwife on display?

Yes, you can view original costumes and props from the show in a dedicated gallery during your visit.

Who leads the Call the Midwife location tour?

The tour is led by a professional guide who is also an actual midwife.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs or prams?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams or strollers.

Can I bring service animals on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout Chatham Historic Dockyard.

Are there public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transport options are available near Chatham Historic Dockyard.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through exterior Call the Midwife filming locations at Chatham Dockyard led by an actual midwife, entry to explore all areas of this historic site including galleries with original show costumes and props — plus easy access for wheelchairs or prams if needed.