Antiques Roadshow filming in Wrexham next week – and you’re invited to come along and watch!

A popular BBC One TV series will be bringing its expertise on antiques to a historic Wrexham location next week.

Antiques Roadshow will filming in the grounds of Erddig Hall on Thursday 26 July as part of its upcoming 41st series.

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the Grade I listed garden – so dust off your family heirlooms and dig out those car boot bargains and bring them along for free advice and valuations!

Glyn Smith, Erddig’s head gardener has been working round the clock with the team to keep the plants and flowers hydrated and looking their best.

The bedding scheme includes deep red flowered Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’, suggestive of the blood and injuries suffered by the soldiers and Fuchsia ‘Army Nurse’ for those that treated the wounded. In another bed, we have Fuchsia ‘Winston Churchill’.

Glyn said: “From theme, to design concept, to the growing and planting, has been a thought-provoking and humbling experience. I think it has been the most embracing summer bedding scheme we have been involved in in all my years as Head Gardener.

“As the flowers grow and bloom, I hope that everyone can see our thought process and join with us in remembering the sacrifice of those that fought the war to end all wars.”

Glyn will be giving several garden talks during the BBC event, sharing with visitors Erddig garden’s remarkable journey from dereliction to distinction.

Around 4,000 people are expected to visit Erddig next week, providing another boost to local tourism.

Wrexham Destination Manager Joe Bickerton said: “The BBC Antiques Roadshow presents a fantastic opportunity for Erddig to showcase what an asset it is for Wrexham County Borough.

“In the last six years, the tourism economy has grown by almost 40% here in Wrexham and events such as this play a significant part in achieving this growth.

“Although the BBC is only here for a day, we anticipate that the economic benefit for this area will stretch into hundreds of thousands via visitor spend in the wider area and hotel stays.”

Robert Murphy, series producer of Antiques Roadshow, said: “We are looking forward to filming at Erddig next week.

“It’s a much-loved property with great character and we’re looking forward to seeing cherished objects and hearing personal stories from the people of Wales and beyond.

“It’s a great free, family day out and you can see how we make one of BBC One’s most popular programmes. Our team of experts are on hand to help visitors discover the hidden history of their objects – you never know, it might just be your item that turns out to be something very special and potentially very valuable!”

Last year, the TV programme celebrated four decades on the road with some truly amazing finds, as presenter Fiona Bruce explains: “Can this year be even better than our last?

“We’ll have to go some way to top the most valuable Faberge ever seen on the programme, a correction to Darwin’s theory of evolution by the great man himself and one of the best collections of show business memorabilia ever seen by our experts. 

“But I have every confidence we’ll do it and the thousands of people that come along to see us will pull some extraordinary things out of their bags/trolleys/bits of newspaper/suitcases/boats – and one year even out of a cart led by a dog. I can’t wait.”

A picturesque country house Erddig, on the Welsh borders, dates back to the 17th century. The last owner, Philip Yorke III inherited a crumbling Erddig on his brother, Simon’s death. Neither brother had married, so Philip began negotiations to entrust Erddig to the National Trust. The National Trust took ownership in 1973 and began a four-year period of restoration, opening again in 1977.

Doors open at 9.30am and close at 5pm. Entry to the show is free, everyone is welcome, and no tickets or pre-registration is required.

Local area road signage will direct all vehicles via the main Plasgrono entrance with a one way system in operation exiting via Forest Drive.  There will be public parking in the fields.

Blue badge holders can park in reserved spaces in the main car park nearest the house, visitors are asked to have them visible so the stewards can direct them.

There will be traffic marshals directing the traffic throughout the site so they will tell them where to go.

Visitors are welcome to just turn up on the day but they can also share their stories about the special items they are bringing along using Share Your Story on the Antiques Roadshow website.

Alternatively, email: [email protected] or write to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR.

More information, frequently asked questions, and parking information, can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow or on the show’s Facebook page