Mount Stewart to host live broadcast of BBC’s popular Home Ground show

24 April 2019

A HUGELY popular BBC Northern Ireland rural affairs programme is to be broadcast live from the shores of Strangford Lough next month.

The National Trust’s stunning Mount Stewart property is throwing open its doors to host three episodes of Home Ground, with the first programme scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, May 6, at 7pm. Further episodes will be screened on May 8 and 10.

Over the course of the three nights, presenters will be in the grounds of the National Trust property meeting the team who keep the Mount Stewart estate going throughout the year, taking cameras behind the scenes to find out more on the estate and the wildlife, including red squirrels, badgers and raptors.

Presenters Jo Scott and Gavin Andrews and reporter Ruth Sanderson join visitors for the first time to enjoy the estate at dusk and will meet many of the rangers and volunteer teams who care for the property, Strangford Lough and the surrounding area, through live television action.

Mount Stewart is extending its opening hours until 8pm each of the three evenings is and inviting visitors to enjoy the range of activities on offer.

The house, gardens and wider demesne will be open late with activities including bird spotting, den building and red squirrel spotting to take part in.

Home Ground series producer, Michael Fanning, said the BBC is thrilled to be able to bring the series to Mount Stewart estate for the live programmes.

“Right across the week we’ll be featuring a host of great stories from the estate and the wider Strangford Lough and Ards Peninsula area. Viewers can look forward to all the elements of Home Ground with the added excitement of live TV.”

Mount Stewart general manager, Jon Kerr, said the property is delighted to host the Home Ground crew at Mount Stewart.

“Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy visiting this special place every year but few have seen just how much work goes in to caring for the gardens and over 5,000 hectares of coastline and countryside,” he explained.

“I am looking forward to working with the Home Ground team to share many behind the scenes stories from our rangers, gardeners, volunteers and wider teams who work tirelessly to take such good care of Mount Stewart, Strangford Lough and the surrounding area.”

People are asked to keep an eye on the Mount Stewart website and Facebook page for more information on these activities.

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