While the location is fictional, the people are the real deal. The show is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, a real midwife who worked in Poplar. Her stories of poverty, community, and miraculous births are the show’s DNA.
You’ll hear characters mention real places like the Isle of Dogs, the London Docks, and the infamous Mile End Road. These are all actual East End landmarks, giving the show a wonderful sense of geographic truth. It’s like a treasure hunt for history nerds!
So, if you ever visit London, you can take a walk through modern-day Poplar. It’s a much more gentrified place now, with shiny apartment blocks and fancy coffee shops. But you’ll still feel the echoes of Sister Julienne’s bicycle bell.
The Real Filming Locations (For the Superfans)
If you want to see the actual filming spots, you have to drive to Surrey. The Longcross Studios complex has a permanent outdoor set of Poplar’s main street. They also use a nearby village called Chobham for some exterior scenes.
They film at the Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent for a few episodes, too. That’s where they get those gorgeous shots of the River Thames and the old ships. It’s a naval history geek’s dream come true.
And get this: the cast often jokes that the set smells like sugar and soot. They have a dedicated team mixing "authentic" smells to pump into the air. Imagine a perfume that’s 10% coal, 20% baked bread, and 70% fresh baby powder.
Call the Midwife gives update on season 13 filming with emotional
