Tales from the Palaces

The royal palaces that are open to the public receive no funds from the Royal Family or the British government. Any money required for the building is paid for by the public, visiting the palaces and handing over their entrance fee. More visitors through the door means more income, but also more wear and tear on the architecture. A conservator investigates a large crack in a Hampton Court balcony.

The conservation teams looking after Britain’s historic royal palaces don’t just concentrate on the structure’s architecture. There are experts devoted to every aspect of life in these ancient buildings. In Hampton Court, food historians make a discovery in a library in Leeds and reawaken the Tudor kitchens to test out their find. While in Kensington Palace, a belt for a mad king is discovered.

While many of Britain’s royal palaces haven’t been occupied by royalty for centuries, they still possess fascinating stories. Signs of historical life can be unearthed throughout the fabric of these ancient buildings, intriguing experts and historians. Mysterious witch marks etched into the roof of Kew Palace are discovered, plus graffiti made by those sent to the Tower of London is unearthed.

Curators and historians at Britain’s royal palaces must exercise huge tact when staging palace exhibitions dealing with controversial or tragic moments from regal history. An exhibition concerning Diana, Princess of Wales in Kensington Palace needs to be handled delicately by the experts. While George III's stained waistcoat, on display at Kew, needs special attention.

The historic royal palaces are full of beautifully crafted objects that wear out and need to be replaced. From bricks to dresses, the details have to be perfect. At Hampton Court, an ancient fabric is beyond repair and needs to be swapped out. But who undertakes such delicate, detailed work and what happens to the old, battered objects that can no longer be displayed?

The historic royal palaces are no longer paid for by royalty and the government won't fund their survival. Are these heritage icons to be treasured forever, or is it ever time to switch off the lights and close the door? Find out where the money comes from to fund ambitious royal palace renovation projects such as the Tudor chimney pots needed at Hampton Court.

British historic royal palaces are constantly struggling to cover their costs. They desperately need to get more people through their doors. But how far should managers go to attract more visitors? From ice-skating to ghost stories, there's always something new for palace attendees. But do these bells and whistles detract from the serious, educational side of these ancient buildings?

Britain’s historic buildings are filled with secrets, hidden rooms and little-known practices that go on behind closed palace doors. This documentary reveals some of this unseen palace activity. There is an attempt to date the oldest part of the Tower of London, a massive salvage exercise prepares Kensington Palace for disaster and there is confusion when a bear arrives at Hampton Court.

A look at some of the amazing treasures contained within the palaces, including a Rubens painting on the ceiling of the Banqueting House. Legendary chef Heston Blumenthal consults Hampton Court food historians when he opens a new venue offering dishes untried for four hundred years. And after a disastrous fire at a heritage building in Weimar, palace salvage experts are called in.

A look at the future of Britain's historic royal palaces in an ever-changing world. Restoration of Hampton Court's famous maze provides a puzzle, as custodians debate whether a bench at the center is a sufficient enough reward for successful explorers. Elsewhere, there's pressure on the palace’s roof, while restored chimneys must be ready and secure before a music festival begins.