Darling trail is ‘perfick’ way to boost Kent tourism
Posted on 13/07/11
The Darling Buds of May television series is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year and a new visitor trail is being launched to capture the Larkins’ ‘Perfick’ Kent.
Copyright ITV
Catherine Zeta Jones as Mariette
The Darling Buds of May trail has been designed to show that the idyllic Kent seen in the series can still be found today, and to encourage visitors to come and experience the produce and lifestyle the county has to offer.
The trail will be available to download from 15 July at http://www.kent.gov.uk/filmoffice
The trail has been put together by Kent County Council, Produced in Kent and Visit Kent. While movie trails have been created for the county before, this is the first time that filming locations have been brought together with Kent producers and visitor attractions to maximise the impact of film tourism.
Visitors will be able to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the much loved series at some of the locations used for filming, including home of the Larkin family, Buss Farm in Bethersden, and Ma and Pop Larkin’s local pub, The Black Horse, in Pluckley.
The trail also includes a scenic walking route, which includes some of Kent’s famous orchards and takes in Pluckley Church where the wedding of Mariette and Charley was filmed.
Local produce and home-grown food played a starring role in the series because they were very much part of the idyllic lifestyle. For a taste of Darling Buds of May country, visitors can pick from a range of options on the trail from ice cream and cheese makers to wine and fruit juice producers, or they can stock up on local produce at one of the featured farm shops.
The series was set in 1950s Kent and, to step back in time, the trail includes agricultural museums, working windmills and historic vehicles, or there’s the option of just sitting back and enjoying the countryside from the Kent and East Sussex Railway.
Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities, Mike Hill, said:
“We have had tremendous success in the past capturing film tourism with projects like the Other Boleyn Girl movie map. This lovely series has provided an opportunity to go a step further and generate interest in local produce and visitor attractions as well as filming locations.
“Tourism is absolutely vital for Kent’s economy and I am delighted that this new trail will give us the chance to show off some of the wonderful sights, tastes and entertainment that our county has to offer.”For further information contact Kate Nowowiecki on 01622 694932 or e- .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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