Michael Portillo visits Eastnor Castle
19 July 2023
Tune into BBC Two on Friday 19th July at 6.30pm to see Eastnor Castle featured in Michael Portillo’s Great British Railway Journeys.
In this series, Michael travels the railways of the UK and spends time exploring places and communities along the way. We were thrilled to host Michael during the Tewkesbury to Filton leg of his journey as he spent some time with James Hervey-Bathurst, discussing post-war country estates.
In this episode, James and Michael talk about how Eastnor was used during the Second World War, inheritance taxes and how James and his family went about restoring the house and boosting revenues from hiring the state rooms out for weddings and corporate events. James discusses how commercialism had to be accepted and embraced by stately homes in order for them to remain viable.
Michael finally spends some time with Land Rover Experience, Eastnor and is put through his paces on some very steep inclines! Land Rover Experience have been based on the Eastnor Estate for many years and provide unique and exciting adventures for drivers to push the vehicles to the limit. There are over 66 miles of carefully managed trails within our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the relationship between the Eastnor Estate and Land Rover is very special.
We hope you enjoyed your visit to Eastnor Michael!