call the midwife© Photo: BBC

Where is Call the Midwife season 9 filmed? Inside the BBC drama's filming locations

BBC's Call the Midwife is on series nine

Senior Features Writer
February 23, 2020

Viewers rejoiced at the beginning of 2020 when the much-loved BBC drama Call the Midwife returned for its ninth series. Fans of the show saw all of the favourites return to Nonnatus House including Nurse Beatrix "Trixie" Franklin (played by Helen George), Dr Patrick Turner (played by Stephen McGann), Nurse Lucille Anderson (played by Leonie Elliott) and more. As well as the important and authentic storylines, great acting and stellar cast, the scenery in Call the Midwife is just as appreciated. If you've ever wondered where the show is filmed, then look no further. We've done investigating, this is all you need to know.

WATCH: Stephen McGann talks about Call the Midwife

Where is Call the Midwife set?

Since the beginning, Call the Midwife has been set in late 1950s and 1960s East End London. For series nine, the show is set in 1965 and even features the death and funeral of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The midwives have returned to England for series nine, after the Christmas special was filmed in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The storyline continues to follow many real life issues that women were facing at the time including abortion and drug abuse, as well as diseases such as diphtheria, cancer, tuberculosis, and fistula.

MORE: Call the Midwife creator hints when the show could end

Fans are loving series nine of Call the Midwife

Where is Call the Midwife filmed?

Series nine of Call the Midwife was reportedly filmed in locations across London, Kent and Surrey. Despite being set specifically in east London, many of the scenes cannot be filmed on location due to the ever-modernising landscape of the city. Instead, a street in south London has provided a backdrop. Prior to 2013, another London location was used. A chapel in the St Joseph's College complex in north London was used to replicate the Nonnatus House nunnery. However, the chapel has been converted into a luxury apartment so for the interior scenes, the BBC production team use Longcross Studios in Surrey for filming.

MORE: Call the Midwife actress Judy Parfitt opens up about late husband's battle with dementia

The studios in Surrey that is used for filming

As well as London and Surrey, the Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent is used for filming scenes. The location is very picturesque, with cobbled streets and period buildings for the show's team to work with. The dockyard even offers special Call the Midwife walking tours for fans of the show to explore the location further. The website reads: "Walk in the footsteps of Nurse Trixie Franklin, Sister Julienne and Dr Turner and explore where the real drama happens. The walking tour is led by your very own costumed midwife. Along the tour you'll recognise the cobbled streets and buildings of 'Poplar' plus iconic locations such as the Grosvenor Hotel and 'Chummy's Hill', where Nurse Noakes famously learnt to ride her bike."

St Joseph's College complex in north London was previously used for filming

What else is there to know about Call the Midwife filming?

As mentioned previously, the chapel in the St Joseph's College complex in north London was used to replicate the Nonnatus House nunnery before it was turned into a luxury apartment. However, this doesn't mean you can't experience the location as you can now live there, although it won't come cheap. Scenes from the BBC series were set in a Grade II listed chapel located in Mill Hill, which was originally part of the St Joseph's College complex. Now, it is listed on Foxtons as a four-bedroom property to rent for £47,667 pcm.

Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more