BBC Antiques Roadshow filming in North Devon

BBC ONE's ever popular Sunday evening programme ANTIQUES ROADSHOW will be filming for its 34th series at Hartland Abbey, North Devon, on Thursday, 7th July, 2011. The doors open at 9.30 am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free.

This will be presenter Fiona Bruce's (pictured) fourth year with the Roadshow and she says, "Presenting the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in television when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch. Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the 'what's it worth? moment. The AR isn't just about antiques - it's history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.'

Some of Britain's leading antiques and fine arts specialists 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 bargains for inspection by the experts.

North Devon+, the economic development company for North Devon and Exmoor, is helping to promote the event locally for the BBC. Laura Holt, North Devon+ spokesperson said " "North Devon+ has secured some fantastic television coverage for North Devon and Exmoor over the last few months. Hosting filming for The Antiques Roadshow in Hartland means that North Devon will be seen by over 6 million viewers when the programme airs".

The last series included some great finds such as an Egyptian stone head dug up in a garden worth £10,000, a medieval ring found on a farm and valued at £20,000 and a Meissen cup and saucer bought at a car boot sale for £2.50 which was worth £5,000. Among some of the stranger items brought along were uneaten pieces of Royal wedding cake and a life-sized model of a lion once used in a TV series.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk. It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

Series Editor Simon Shaw says: "The team are all looking forward to visiting Hartland Abbey. It's always exciting to see what will come to light on the day. We regularly see between 1500 and 2000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turnout everyone will get to see an expert."

More information can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow