BBC uses Penshurst Place as backdrop for new Untold Story of
Armada
Penshurst Place hosted a selection of TV’s famous faces last week, as filming for a new threepart BBC2 docudrama on the Spanish Armada got underway between Saturday 29th November
and Wednesday 3rd December.
The magnificent Baron’s Hall, Sunderland Room and
Medieval Buttery within the 14th Century defended manor
house were used as a backdrop for the anticipated
production, which tells the untold story of the planned
Spanish Armada invasion in 1588. Across each 60 minute
episode viewers can discover how Queen Elizabeth I
fought off a Spanish invasion, illustrated by analysis and
comment from prominent historians and drama re-enactment.
Presented by Dan Snow, BBC2 has also been granted access to newly discovered and
unpublished 16th century documents, relating to the Armada, for the production due for
transmission in 2015.
Ben Thomas, Estate Manager says “We are used to Penshurst Place being transformed to
defend the approaching invasion of the Spanish Armada through the annual Tudor living history
week that we run each year for local schools and for weekend visitors; so we were delighted
when the BBC got in touch about using Penshurst Place as a location for this thought-provoking
docudrama about the Armada.”
The BBC says the new series will uncover a unique
and fascinating insight into the two-week battle that
marked a major turning point in world history. It will go
behind the scenes in the courts of Elizabeth I and the
Spanish Emperor Philip II. It will explore the power
play between the two monarchs. And it will take to the
high seas to reveal just how close England came to
disaster.
Penshurst Place is frequently used as a location for filming having been used as the Palace of
Whitehall for the recent ITV drama ‘The Great Fire’, and featured in both ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘The
PENSHURST PLACE & GARDENS, PENSHURST, TONBRIDGE, KENT TN11 8DG
01892 870307 |[email protected] | www.penshurstplace.com
Other Boleyn Girl’. The next Armada! living history weekend takes place between Saturday 21st
& Sunday 22nd March 12noon – 4pm where families can join skilled costumed actors to help
defend the walls and protect Penshurst Place from an impending invasion from the Spanish
Armada. Visit www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on for more information.
-EndsFor further press feature information please contact Jacqui Green at JGMPR [email protected]
– for urgent requests her mobile is 07885 270349 or contact Lucy McLeod, Marketing Executive
at Penshurst Place: 01892 870307 email:[email protected].
Editor’s Notes
If used, please credit the images © BBC and caption Penshurst Place and Gardens.
More about Armada: The Untold Story
Armada: The Untold Story was ordered by BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw and head of history
and business commissioning Martin Davidson. Cameron Balbirnie is the executive producer,
while the series producer is Robin Dashwood.
Background to Penshurst Place & Gardens
Set in the beautiful Weald of Kent, Penshurst Place and the Estate have stood on the banks of
the river Medway since the 14th century, when the awe-inspiring medieval Baron’s Hall was built
as a country retreat for the Lord Mayor of London, Sir John de Pulteney. Used as a location for
many a large film and small screen productions, Penshurst Place has a unique place in history –
with literary connections from Sir Philip Sidney, Ben Jonson to Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
The property was owned by many Dukes and Nobles with Royal blood in their veins, until King
Henry VIII forfeited it from the previous owner, the Duke of Buckingham in 1521. It was then used
by Henry and his friends as a hunting lodge. In 1552 the property was gifted by Edward VI to a
member of the noble courtier family, the Sidneys, in whose family’s hands it has been ever since
– and is currently owned by Philip Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L’Isle MBE, Her Majesty’s Lord
Lieutenant of Kent.
The historic gardens are as old as the house, with records dating back to 1346. These
enchanting formal gardens were laid out in Elizabethan times and have remained remarkably
true to their early design. Over a mile of yew hedging separates this 11 acre walled garden into a
series of self-contained ‘rooms’. Each garden offers an abundance of variety in form, foliage and
bloom, which ensures a continuous display from Spring to Autumn. The herbaceous borders
have recently been redesigned into the stunning Jubilee Walk.
In the House, alongside the magnificant Baron’s Hall, built in 1341, there are a series of
staterooms containing an impressive collection of portraits, tapestries, furniture, porcelain and
armour. In addition, visitors will enjoy a reminder of bygone childhoods in the Toy Museum, a
delight for all ages.
PENSHURST PLACE & GARDENS, PENSHURST, TONBRIDGE, KENT TN11 8DG
01892 870307 |[email protected] | www.penshurstplace.com