To The Manor Reborn

The sitcom, which ran from 1979-1981, will be returning to our screens as To The Manor Reborn for a one-off Christmas special.

To The Manor Born was originally filmed at the manor and once attracted nearly 24million viewers.

The show is set to reunite Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles as aristocratic Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton and millionaire businessman Richard Devere, as they celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

Filming started yesterday (Sunday), and is expected to take a week although it is hoped there will not be too much disruption for the guests.

Frances Pardell, spokesman for Warner Leisure Hotels which acquired the manor in 1999, said: "There will be some disturbance, but we will ensure that there is minimal disruption for our guests.

"The guests are the hotel's priority but I think a lot of people are excited they are here at the same time as filming - we had 50 people watching on the first day."

The episode joins the couple as a major event threatens to disturb life at the estate and Audrey, with the help of school friend Marjory, goes into battle to defend the community.

Frances added: "You can imagine Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles having a quiet drink on the terrace of the manor house, overlooking the sweeping landscape.

"A treasured feature of Cricket St Thomas Hotel is its association with the series and the library houses a copy of the first script of To The Manor Born and many pictures of its famous cast."

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