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.

Enjoy a different take on the places you love and miss visiting because of lockdown restrictions. Discover unseen objects, hidden places and intriguing characters.

Visiting this winter 

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside sites remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

More information on what’s open
Series two
Pillar garden in winter light

Series two: Secrets about the places you love

Our latest series of behind-the-scenes tours give you the chance to see the gardens and houses we care for in a new light. You'll discover places worthy of film sets, hidden corners, incredible plants and leafy arboretums. In the latest episode, you'll get to explore Standen House and Garden – a West Sussex family home famous for its festive spirit and creativity.

Mussenden Temple at Downhill Demesne Play Video
Video

Episode 8: Downhill Demesne, County Londonderry

Experience the beauty and mystery of Downhill Demesne in this video tour of the vast coastal landscape – fascinating ruins, an intriguing clifftop temple, unusual plants and trees, plus much more. We’ll be shedding light on the eccentric bishop that lived here and treating you to dramatic views of the North Atlantic.

Behind the scenes at standen house. pictured is a dining room table, laid out with candles, name cards, red ribbons and flowers for christmas Play Video
Video

Episode 7: Historical festivities at Standen House and Garden, West Sussex

Take a trip through time in this behind-the-scenes video of Standen House, West Sussex, where the staff and curators have been influenced by the arts and crafts movement in the decorations they’ve used for Christmas. There are Christmas trees dotted throughout the house to tell the story of the Beale family, who once lived here. Discover their stories and learn more about how they celebrated the festive season in style.

The star on top of the Tree of Hope at Standen Play Video
Video

Episode 6: The tree of hope at Standen House and Garden, West Sussex

Join our behind-the-scenes tour to discover the Tree of Hope, one of the most festive sights at Standen House and Garden in West Sussex. Find out how the tree gained its colour and sparkle after it was bedecked with handmade decorations made by people during lockdown. Discover how the tree has become a symbol of hope, joy and love.

View up the garden path at Hill Top, Cumbria Play Video
Video

Episode 5: Hill Top, Cumbria

Join us on a tour of Hill Top, the much-loved home of author Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit™ and friends. You can explore the writer's paintings, drawings, treasured objects, as well as the surrounding countryside that inspired her. Look out for your favourite characters along the way.

The house, shop and gardens will be open at weekends from 5 December. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Thank you to our partners Frederick Warne & Co, Beatrix Potter's original publisher and now a part of Penguin Random House, who help us look after the places that Beatrix Potter left in our care.

To enjoy our latest video tours Sign up to the email
Coughton Court in Warwickshire Play Video
Video

Episode 4: Coughton Court, Warwickshire

Glimpse inside the home of the Throckmorton family as we delve into their connections to the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Unearth stories of uprising, take a closer look at a 16th-century protest document and discover a priest hole that's not what it seems.

The Pillar Garden at Hidcote Play Video
Video

Episode 3: Hidcote, Gloucestershire

We're spilling the secrets of Hidcote, a magical garden inspired by art and adventure. Join us for a tour of artistic hedges, a garden of white flowers, unmissable views and a shelter bursting with exotic plants, plus more.

Spectacular autumn colours at Bodnant Garden, Conwy Play Video
Video

Episode 2: Bodnant Garden, Conwy

While Bodnant Garden is closed because of lockdown restrictions, watch this video to explore its secluded corners, famous Laburnum Arch and leafy glades. You'll see why this place became a magical setting for the movie adaptation of The Secret Garden, a Sky Original. Discover 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.

A rainbow of colour in the Dahlia Garden Play Video
Video

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.

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

Series one: Lifting the lid on the houses of history

The first of our behind-the-scenes series takes a deep dive into seven of the historic buildings you help us care for. We explore mysterious attics, shed light on unusual architecture, open history’s toy box and reveal hidden objects.

The Boudoir at Castle Ward house Play Video
Video

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
Video

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
Video

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.

The Hardmans House Film Rolls Play Video
Video

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
Video

Episode 3: Museum of Childhood

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
Video

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
Video

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.