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Antiques Roadshow comes to Anglesey Abbey

Fiona Bruce is standing in front of a Christmas tree at Anglesey Abbey. She is wearing a blue top and skirt, smiling at the camera. — Fiona Bruce in front of Christmas tree at Anglesey Abbey | © BBC STUDIOS Anna Gordon

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow comes to Anglesey Abbey for a special Christmas episode.

See Anglesey Abbey on screen

Airing on Sunday 22 December, Fiona Bruce welcomes guests and familiar Roadshow faces to Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire for the 2024 ‘At Christmas’ episode of Antiques Roadshow.

Scheduled for 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the programme will look back over some of the most memorable, valuable and moving items to appear recently on the show and ask – what happened next?

At the National Trust property, pictures expert Frances Christie joins Fiona to explore the ways artists have used a surprising range of colours to depict snow, while Joanna Hardy reveals the history behind a perennial favourite Christmas gift – the charm bracelet.

The programme will also highlight some of the treasures in the Anglesey Abbey collection that the first Lord Fairhaven, Urban Huttleston Broughton, collected during his lifetime. The 16th century Saxon Atlas, the jewelled Pagoda Clock and the silver-gilt Shield of Achilles have all inspired the Christmas decorations in the rooms of the cosy 20th century Jacobean-style country house this year.

A camera lady is filming decorations in front of the bookshelves in the Anglesey Abbey library. A member of staff is assisting.. — Behind the scenes filming the 'At Christmas' programme | © BBC STUDIOS Anna Gordon

A Christmas to treasure

Anglesey Abbey Property Curator, Roisin Semple said, “It is wonderful to see the house and collection showcased on the Antiques Roadshow. The treasures featured provide just a taster of the many significant and beautiful pieces in the collection at Anglesey Abbey.

“The decorated house provides a gorgeous backdrop to the Christmas special, thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers. I hope the show will inspire people to visit the house and explore the collection further.”

On Sunday evening, viewers will also get to see one of the many lists from the 1960s that Lord Fairhaven kept, detailing all the gifts that he gave and received at Christmas time.

The house at Anglesey Abbey is currently decorated for Christmas and visitors can enjoy seeing many of the treasures featured in this episode on display in the Library, Upper Gallery, Dining Room, Oak Room and Living Room. The house remains decorated for Christmas until 5 January 2025.

Camera crew filming the Pagoda Clock in the Living Room while the producer and Fiona Bruce look on. — The jewelled Pagoda Clock features in the programme | © BBC STUDIOS Anna Gordon

Discover the collection

Anglesey Abbey’s General Manager, Martin Beaver said, “It is a real honour to be chosen as the location for this year’s Christmas special. The staff and volunteers here work tirelessly to provide a great Christmas experience for our many visitors, so it is very fitting that their endeavours will be shared more widely with a national audience.

“I am quite sure that viewers will be impressed with the selection of items that feature on the show and we hope that it will encourage many more people to come and see this special place for themselves this festive season and into the New Year.”

Over the Christmas season, Anglesey Abbey is open daily from 9.30am to 4pm except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Visitors can explore the house from 11am to 3.30pm, with last entry to the house at 3pm. Head to our upcoming events page to find out how to join a house tour from 5 January 2025.