Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages: Series 1

Much-loved British actress Penelope Keith takes us on a journey through the picturesque villages of Britain in this new series. Cream teas; bunting; the local shop; thatched cottages swathed in roses and quaint church spires... It's not hard to conjure the perfect village from the imagination. But these places are for real. Having lived in the rural village of Milford in Surrey for nearly 40 years, award-winning actress Penelope Keith (THE GOOD LIFE, TO THE MANOR BORN) has a keen sense of what makes villages special. Armed with her beloved Batsford' guide book (published in 1932), Penelope journeys from one bucolic bolthole to the next as she uses this vintage text and famous illustrations to answer a question that's close to her heart: why do we love Britain's villages so much; what's disappeared, changed and stayed the same and what's the secret to their longevity? In addition to the beautiful scenery, Penelope explores the themes of industry, leisure, Royalty, tourism, tradition, arts and literature that characterise each region as she contrasts what the writers of the Batsford guides found with her experiences today. 3 episodes.