Mapperton House and Gardens are set to hit the small screen in two television specials this week.

The west Dorset home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich is being featured in the hit series, An American Aristocrat's Guide to Great Estates , to be broadcast in both the UK and US.

In the two special episodes, Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, introduces life at Mapperton, including Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations at the historic house, located near Melplash.

The first episode 'Welcome to Mapperton' will air in the UK on the Smithsonian Channel at 8pm on Tuesday, December 1. It features the Earl and Countess of Sandwich talking about the house and gardens, a family Thanksgiving meal at Mapperton and a trip to Belgium to learn about tapestry restoration.

The second episode 'Christmas at Mapperton' will broadcast at 8pm on Tuesday, December 8. Viewers will enjoy a Victorian Christmas feast prepared in the Mapperton kitchens with celebrity chef Darina Allen well as a tour of the stunning Christmas market at Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey) with the Countess of Carnarvon.

Julie Montagu said: "I have been travelling around Britain's finest historic houses to learn how they are adapting and thriving in the 21st century.

"Now it's time to focus on my own family's estate. It has been great fun to film here at our home and I hope these special episodes will enable viewers to see what really goes on behind-the-scenes here at Mapperton."

Smithsonian Channel is available on Sky channel 173, Freeview channel 57, Freesat channel 175 and Virgin Media channel 295.

The gardens at Mapperton were recently voted the Historic Houses' Garden of the Year 2020 after winning a public vote.

Mapperton Gardens are now open Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 5pm. The winter special offer price for November and December is £5 for adults and free for under 16's until December 17. Garden tickets should be purchased in advance and are available here.

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Mapperton House set to return to the small screen