BBC Antiques Roadshow to come to Swanage

Swanage Pier and Prince Albert Gardens are to host the popular BBC TV programme Antiques Roadshow presented by Fiona Bruce.

The show’s antiques experts and valuers will be recording an episode of the programme on Friday 23rd June 2023 along the seafront in Swanage in Dorset.

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Ticket applications are open to watch the filming of the show

Planning began in November 2022

While the filming locations for the next series were formally announced on the TV programme on Sunday 19th March 2023, planning for the Swanage episode began back in November 2022.

Both Swanage Pier and Swanage Town Council were very surprised to receive emails at the end of last year from one of the show’s producers enquiring about availability of Swanage Pier and the nearby council-owned Prince Albert Gardens.

Following a number of meetings and a recce by the production team, a suitable date for filming was agreed.

Swanage seafront overlooking Prince Albert Gardens

The view from Prince Albert Gardens – one of the filming locations

Swange School art students on Swanage Pier

Care will have to be taken during filming that nothing valuable gets blown away or slips through the gaps in the planks at Swanage Pier!

“Delighted that the BBC has chosen Swanage Pier as a location”

Chief executive of Swanage Pier Trust, Ben Adeney said:

“We are delighted that the BBC has chosen Swanage Pier as a location for the Antiques Roadshow this year.

“The stunning Grade II listed pier is one of only a few timber piers left in the UK and is an essential part of the town’s Victorian heritage.

“We look forward to welcoming the visitors to the pier and seeing all the art and treasures on display.”

While the finer details are still being planned, it’s expected that the filming will take place along the pier, across the pier’s car park and in Prince Albert Gardens.

For safety, Lower High Street by the pier may be closed to traffic for the day, as the event is expected to attract hundreds of visitors.

The crew is also expected to use part of Broad Road car park for its outside broadcast trucks.

Filming of Songs of Praise
Inside the Songs of Praise OB truck
Songs of Praise
Aled Jones

The BBC filmed Songs of Praise with Aled Jones at Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage in July 2021 and the Antiques Roadshow crew will undoubtedly be hoping for similarly fine weather

“All things beautiful, historic and sometimes downright bizarre!”

TV newsreader Fiona Bruce, who also presented the show when it was last in Dorset at Lulworth Castle in June 2011, said:

“I can’t wait to start filming the new series of the Antiques Roadshow. We’re going to some exciting new locations and we’re looking forward to seeing all things beautiful, historic and sometimes downright bizarre!

“It’s the variety that makes the roadshow special – from car boot finds to those precious family items that open a window into the past.”

Make up for Antiques Roadshow
BBC Studios
Antiques Roadshow being filmed
BBC Studios

From old family heirlooms to rare trainers

The whole event will be ticketed and applications are now welcome for those who wish to come along as a spectator and also for those who have an interesting item they would like to show the experts.

The roadshow team is inviting guests to tell them about their treasured pieces ahead of time by submitting pictures and information about their items via the Antiques Roadshow website.

This year, as well as antiques and family heirlooms, the roadshow team is on a special hunt for more modern 20th and 21st Century treasures – everything from retro toys to movie and music memorabilia, from mid-century furniture to vintage fashion, from designer handbags to rare trainers.

Antiques Roadshow filming locations for summer 2023

  • Crystal Palace Park, London Borough of Bromley
  • Swanage Pier and seafront, Swanage, Dorset
  • Pollok House and Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
  • Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park, Cardiff
  • Ebrington Square, Derry-Londonderry
  • Roundhay Park, Leeds
Filming of Antiques Roadshow
BBC Studios

Filming of a previous episode of the Antiques Roadshow, which is now back for a 46th series

Antiques roadshow expert examines paintings
BBC Studios

Have a rummage through the loft to see if there are any hidden masterpieces!

“We can’t wait to see what treasures pop up”

The production company, BBC Studios, makes the Antique Roadshow. Its series editor Robert Murphy said:

“The roadshow is for everyone, and we want to see those special items that mean something to you – last year, we had everything from Tudor textiles and a history making Chinese Buddha to Star Wars figures, vintage skateboards and reggae memorabilia.

“We can’t wait to see what treasures pop up in our inbox or emerge from a shopping bag!”

Further information

  • To apply for tickets or to get in touch with the production team about a special item go to the Antiques Roadshow website

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