Fans of the BBC TV programme Antiques Roadshow have a rare opportunity to see the show being filmed next year – its makers have added Berkshire to its list of venues to visit for its 39th series.
The hugely popular show, which offers valuations of family treasures, will be filmed at the home of BBC Berkshire in Caversham at the end of June.
Producers say that it’s a great, free day out and no pre-registration, tickets or appointments are required – so anyone can come along.
The show will be filmed in the grounds of the historic BBC Caversham Park – the white building can be seen by motorists as they drive on the A329M into Reading. This former mansion and school is now home not only to BBC Radio Berkshire, but also BBC Monitoring and the BBC’s written historical archive. The Antiques Roadshow will be filmed on lawns first laid out by ‘Capability Brown’.
The visit to Caversham is just one of a number of venues that the Roadshow will visit in 2016. The roster includes New Lanark on the banks of the River Clyde to the Cornish coast at Trelissick.
In 2015 almost 35,000 people attended an Antiques Roadshow filming day and brought fascinating finds including a jacket belonging to former US president JFK, a musical penknife valued at £80,000, a sketch believed to be by Picasso bought for a few pounds in a house clearance sale, and a precious toy panda that once flew with the “Dambusters”.
The Antiques Roadshow’s much-loved team of experts includes many of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists, and they are all looking forward to visiting this list of fascinating venues.
At each event more than 30 experts will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car-boot sale finds.
Fiona Bruce, presenter of Antiques Roadshow, said: “The best part of working on Antiques Roadshow is that we never know who or what is going to turn up on the day.
“The visitors, the objects they bring, their stories and the location all combine to make a fabulous experience that we aim to capture for the viewers.
“If you are a fan of Antiques Roadshow, curious to see behind the scenes, or just fancy a day out, I would urge you to dig out your treasures and come along – we’d love to see you.”
Simon Shaw, Antiques Roadshow Executive Producer, said: “The filming venues for 2016 are some of our most beautiful and historic yet. We will be covering the country, visiting spectacular locations, unearthing treasures and welcoming thousands of visitors for a great, free day out.
“Our team of experts and Fiona love nothing better than hearing people’s stories and seeing what items they bring, so we hope as many people as possible come and enjoy what our visitors consistently tell us is a fantastic day out.”
The venues for 2016:
- Thursday 12 May Tewkesbury Abbey.
- Thursday 26 May Audley End House and Gardens
- Wednesday 1 June Arley Hall and Gardens
- Wednesday 8 June Baddesley Clinton
- Thursday 16 June Ightham Mote
- Sunday 26 June BBC Caversham Park
- Wednesday 6 July Holker Hall and Gardens
- Sunday 17 July Burton Constable, near Hull
- Thursday 28 July New Lanark World Heritage Site
- Wednesday 7 September Pembroke Castle
- Thursday 15 September Trelissick
- Sunday 25 September University of London
Need more details? Have a large object to show
More information on attending and what to do if you require help with large or heavy items is available at www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow.
If you have a large or heavy or particularly unusual or interesting item you would like to bring along, the show’s producers said they would love to hear from you.
You can email: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk or write to Antiques Roadshow, BBC Broadcasting House, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR.
The Antiques Roadshow is on Twitter @BBC_ARoadshow
