Go behind the scenes at our places

If you love unearthing secrets and peeling away layers of history to discover lesser-known stories, our series of behind-the-scenes films will be right up your street.

Join us on a journey that will give you a different take on the historic houses and gardens you love or have longed to visit. Discover unseen objects, hidden places and intriguing characters.

The Boat House at the Far End, Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Telling secrets about gardens you love

The latest of our behind-the-scenes tours give you the chance to see the gardens we care for in a new light. You'll discover gardens worthy of film sets, incredible plants, hidden corners and leafy arboretums. In the first episode, we're inviting you to enjoy the autumn colour at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire. Next up will be Conwy's Bodnant Garden, which features in the forthcoming film The Secret Garden starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters.

Spectacular autumn colours at Bodnant Garden, Conwy Play Video
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Episode 2: Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Bodnant Garden's secluded corners, leafy glades and famous Laburnum Arch makes it a magical setting for the new movie adaptation of The Secret Garden, a Sky Original, in cinemas and on Sky Cinema 23 October. While the garden is closed, you can join this video tour to see the filming locations, an arboretum bursting with autumn colour, unmissable views, plus much more.

Dixie Egerickx (Mary Lennox) on set at Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire

Explore The Secret Garden film locations 

Since it was published in 1910, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden has bewitched generations of children and adults alike. Now a star-studded film adaptation is set to breathe new life into the tale, coming to cinemas and on Sky Cinema October 23. Discover how places in our care proved the perfect settings for this retelling of the evergreen children’s classic.

Go behind the scenes of the film
A rainbow of colour in the Dahlia Garden Play Video
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Episode 1: Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire

Discover dazzling flowers and vibrant autumn colour at Anglesey Abbey – an unforgettable place designed to entertain and impress the guests of Lord Fairhaven. You’ll glimpse the beauty of colourful tree-lined avenues, drifts of white and purple cyclamen and red-leaf dahlias glowing in the afternoon sun.

Coming soon
The Pillar Garden at Hidcote

Episode 3: Hidcote, Gloucestershire

We can't wait to spill the secrets of Hidcote, a magical garden inspired by art and adventure. Join us soon for a video tour of artistic hedges, a garden of white flowers, unmissable views and a shelter bursting with exotic plants, plus more.

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Working to protect 16th-century stained-glass windows at The Vyne

Exploring behind closed doors

This seven-part series lifts the lid on the places you help us care for. The most recent episode sheds light on the mysteries of Castle Ward, an 18th-century house in County Down known for its royal connections and striking architecture.

The Boudoir at Castle Ward house Play Video
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Episode 7: Castle Ward, County Down

Discover how Castle Ward's fascinating clash of architectural styles came from the different backgrounds of Lady Ann and Bernard Ward, the couple who lived there. Take in the beauty of the vaulted ceilings, impressive library and Gothic features and discover a hidden desk with an incredible view.

The house and surrounding garden at Greenway in winter Play Video
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Episode 6: Greenway, Devon

As we mark the 100th anniversary of Agatha Christie's first book being published, we're inviting you on a tour of Greenway, her beloved holiday home on the Devon coast. Find out how Greenway inspired much of her early work and discover first-edition books and other collection items not normally seen by the public.

A birdseye view of Oxburgh Hall Play Video
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Episode 5: Oxburgh Hall

You’ll discover Oxburgh’s story is one of endurance and survival. Explore the attic space at the heart of an ambitious project to restore the roof. Hear about fascinating discoveries, like the priest hole used during the reign of Elizabeth I, plus much more.

Birdseye view of Oxburgh

Support Oxburgh's Roof Appeal 

Oxburgh Hall's roof is in need of urgent repair. Our roof tiles, timbers and brickwork are showing signs of aging; we’re not surprised, they’re well over 500 years old. Help us, as we embark on a £6million project to safeguard Oxburgh's future.

Donate today
The Hardmans House Film Rolls Play Video
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Episode 4: The Hardmans' House

Head back to the 1950s and explore The Hardmans’ House – the Liverpool home and studio of renowned portrait photographer Edward Chambré Hardman and his wife Margaret Hardman. You’ll get to explore the glamorous photographic studio of the man himself and delve into the fascinating collection of his work we now care for. Learn more about the photographic process on a visit to the darkroom and enjoy a rare glimpse of the printing rooms.

A collection of items such as bears and buckets to help spark memories Play Video
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Episode 3: Museum of Childhood

The fun continues behind closed doors while we can't open for visitors. Seven-year-old Mo is taking you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum of Childhood in Derbyshire as we celebrate the playfulness of this amazing place that sheds light on the childhoods of history. Mo, who is one of the child ambassadors shaping the future of the museum, tells you about her favourite toys in the collection. She'll also show you a special learning attic, not normally seen by visitors.

A view of Powis Castle and terraces. Powys, Wales Play Video
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Episode 2: Powis Castle

Explore the many stories Powis Castle & Garden has to tell. We're shedding more light on the castle's links to colonialism by looking afresh at items in the collection and how they came to be here. Discover how this medieval fortress is embracing renewable energy and experience an unmissable view from the castle's roof.

A replica Tudor altar cloth in the chapel at The Vyne Play Video
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Episode 1: The Vyne

Delve into the fascinating history of The Vyne – a former Tudor palace visited by King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Learn about the site's transformation into the family home of lawyer and politician John Chaloner Chute. Discover hidden paintings in a gap in the wall and find out how the attic is protected from evil spirits, plus much more.