BBC & National Trust Align for Landmark Series

LONDON: The BBC and the National Trust are collaborating on a four-part landmark series for BBC One that looks at the process behind bringing a historic property back to life.

To the Manor Reborn, presented by Penelope Keith and Paul Martin, will feature a team of historians, experts and volunteers as they refurbish the 500-year-old Avebury Manor in Wiltshire. The project will spotlight five centuries of history across Britain, exploring craft- and furniture-making skills and revealing the invention of the home. Contributing to the series are interior designer Russell Sage, architectural writer Dan Cruickshank, lecturer of early modern history Anna Whitelock and expert gardener David Howard.

Danny Cohen, the controller of BBC One, said: "Our partnership with the National Trust on this ambitious project encapsulates so many of the BBC’s ambitions. The channel aims to keep engaging audiences in new ways and this series offers them the chance to follow the story on screen, and to experience it first hand."

Sarah Staniforth, the museums and collections director for the National Trust, added: "The National Trust is delighted to partner with the BBC in this exciting series. It is not only a unique opportunity to engage viewers in the history of interior design and architecture but is also a way for the Trust to push the boundaries in bringing properties to life."