A La Ronde in Exmouth will feature in the first programme of a new series of the BBC's Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, starting on Friday, May 10.
The series will focus on the conservation work going on behind the scenes of National Trust properties.
In the first programme viewers will see the restoration of the Shell Gallery at A La Ronde, which is being undertaken in time for the last surviving female owner of A La Ronde and descendant of the Parminters, Ursula Tudor Perkins, to see the finished gallery.
Emma Mee, Project Manager at A la Ronde said: “Due to many years of decay, the Shell Gallery and Grotto Staircase were extremely fragile and access to these spaces is sadly not possible if we want to ensure their survival for the future.
"We are delighted that viewers will get to see behind the scenes of this fascinating place and the many challenges we face in caring for it."
Also featured in the first programme is Kingston Lacy in Dorset, where a whole wall of Bankes’ priceless art collection is in jeopardy and, outside in the grounds, the 90-metre high Egyptian Philae Obelisk is in need of repair.
Other National Trust South West properties featured in the six-part series include Saltram in Plymouth, Killerton near Exeter and Stourhead in Wiltshire.
Alistair Pegg, BBC Arts commissioning editor, said: “I’m delighted to be delving behind the scenes once more at the National Trust, uncovering hidden histories of houses and their owners, secrets of the painstaking conservation carried out on beautiful objects and buildings, and the wonderful staff and volunteers who work, often unsung, across the country.”
Tarnya Cooper, Curatorial and Conservation Director at the National Trust, said: “History comes to life before you at National Trust properties. Across hundreds of sites we have well over a million objects, which tell fascinating stories of the generations of people who commissioned, made and loved them.
“Looking after such diverse objects and places takes dedicated teams of people as well as expert conservators, and we hope BBC viewers will enjoy learning more about them and their work on wonderful collections ranging from must-see paintings and furniture to books and textiles to amazing architectural features.”
Hidden Treasures of the National Trust will air on Friday evenings at 9pm on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer.
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