BBC Antiques Roadshow to film at Gregynog

The BBC's Antiques Roadshow programme is to come to Gregynog Hall in July to film an episode of the famous show for its 36th series, it has been revealed.

Well-known experts from the show, along with presenter Fiona Bruce, will be based at the historic Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, near Newtown on 4th July.

Experts will be providing free valuations and advice to visitors who turn up with their family heirlooms and treasures. It comes just a couple of years after the programme filmed at Powis Castle, near Newtown.

More details about the day and how to get involved are expected to follow.

Meanwhile, the programme is one of many events taking place at the Hall that have been announced. Gregynog’s librarian Mary Oldham will lead afternoon hall tours, explaining the property’s history and cultural importance, on May 5, June 2, July 25 and October 6 at 2.30pm.

An event to inspire prospective brides and bridegrooms is planned on May 12, when a wedding fair features everything from photographers to florists. Visitors will be able to sample head chef Heiko Simmchen’s canapes and a glass of bubbly in the gardens whilst they debate colour schemes and admire mother of the bride outfits.

June promises to be a very busy month. The Grade I listed gardens will be open on June 2 from 11am to 4.30pm, as part of the National Garden Scheme Open Day. 

Music then takes centre stage as Gregynog Hall welcomes back local rock and pop band Up All Nite and supporting act Loki for an open air convert on June 14, with the gardens open for picnics from 6pm before the music starts at 8pm.

]The famous Gregynog Festival, from June 20-30, this year celebrates the centenary of Benjamin Britten with seven centuries of music by great British composers and an array of international artists. For more information about the festival visit www.gregynogfestival.org.

Continuing the same theme, Gregynog Hall is hosting a Britten Residency from September 4-6, when Nicholas Cleobury and Mid Wales Opera bring together a stellar cast of speaker, singers and musicians to discover the operas of the famous composer.

Speakers include Paul Kildea, conductor and author of a new biography of Britten, who will explore some of the composer’s extraordinary characters and the wonderful music that portrays them.

The residency, which costs £195, includes two nights’ accommodation, all meals and a ticket to the premiere performance of Mid Wales Opera’s new production of Albert Herring at Hafren, the entertainment venue in Newtown.

On August 18, Gregynog Hall hosts a launch party for the Montgomeryshire branch of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust and on September 1 there will be free entry to the hall and an exhibition as part of a heritage open day from 11am to 4pm.

Later in the year, the historic property hosts a Halloween Ghost Hunt on October 31 where guests enjoy a gourmet buffet followed by a tour of the hall looking for its famous spooks. Tickets costs £45.

To get people in the festive spirit, a Christmas food and flowers day is planned for December 2 followed by a Christmas concert by this year’s Gregynog Young Musician of the Year winner on December 8 and the Christmas pantomime Cinderalla on December 15. Santa’s grotto in the woods will be open on December 8, 14 and 15.

For tickets and more information contact Gregynog box office on Tel: 01686 650224 or e-mail on gregynog@wales.ac.uk