Mary Berry's Country House Secrets

Mary visits Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey, home to the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and renowned as the setting for some of the most lavish and influential weekend house parties in history. Mary discovers what it takes to keep a home like this going in today’s world, meeting everyone from the family to the house staff and the estate’s loyal posse of gamekeepers. Inspired by what she discovers Mary takes to the estate kitchen where she creates a delicious spread from Raspberry Tartlets to Gamekeeper’s stew and an elaborate menu for a grand finale dinner.

Mary visits Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish Kings and the epicenter of Scottish history, where she’s invited to help Lady Mansfield prepare for a special dinner with traditional Scottish reeling in the palace where Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were once amused. In the kitchen, Mary rustles up Scottish classics including Venison Wellington, Cock-A-Leekie soup and Cranachan.

Mary visits Powderham Castle in Devon, to spend time with the Earl and Countess of Devon and their two young children. Time with the family reveals stories of romance and tragedy as she discovers the attics and secret passages of this extraordinary home. In the historic kitchen, Mary bakes a Devon Cream Tea, is shown Powderham classic Curried Cockles, and is inspired to make a delicate Peach Posset for a Midsummer Eve woodland party the family are throwing to celebrate their two year anniversary at the castle and thank the local community.

Mary visits Goodwood House, home to the March family and a long line of innovators in the fields of sport and farming, where she meets the octogenarian Duchess and her daughter Nimmy who reveal the forward thinking story behind the Estate’s organic farm. Discovering below stairs, Mary takes to the butler’s pantry to tempt us with a hearty Race Day Breakfast, a delicious Coq-au-Vin, and a four tier cake for a sumptuous cricket tea set in the one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world.