Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's Escape to the Country - "The Sporting Estate"
From 1800, the remote, bleak, cold country hall or mansion, complete with its shivering, long-faced hounds was given a makeover - often acquired with new money, it became a place for ladies and gentlemen from the city to congregate and socialise. The country estate was a fantastic place to spend time together, to network, show off your political connections, along with the fine crystal and bespoke china.
It was the heyday of Victorian foxhunting, with increasing numbers of visitors flocking from all over Britain and overseas to hunt in the Shires that were a "sea of grass" at that time.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert began regular visits to Balmoral from 1848 and grouse shooting became a passion for the newly wealthy. Their son Edward Albert, actually bought Sandringham to develop drive shooting.a pleasure the chubby king could enjoy sitting down.
This programme explores how field sports changed the appearance of the countryside and contributed to the idea of the country house as a 'seat of social and political power'.
With Lady Carnarvon at Highclere Castle and Oliver Pope at the Wrackleford Estate, Dorchester.