Historic House Rescue: Landmark returns to More4

More4 welcomes back Historic House Rescue this May, with a compelling new series chronicling Landmark’s mission to rescue and restore Britain’s most endangered historic buildings.

Presented by Landmark Trust Director Dr Anna Keay, the series begins at 9pm on Thursday 8 May 2025 with the remarkable three-year transformation of Calverley Old Hall in West Yorkshire.

This opening episode documents the mighty £5 million revival of a Grade I-listed medieval manor house near Leeds, once considered to be one of  the most at-risk buildings in England. With parts having been hidden and neglected for centuries, the building revealed extraordinary Tudor features – including an entire room of original wall paintings – during the course of its repair.

Calverley Old Hall was first acquired by the Landmark Trust in 1982, and one corner of the building had hosted holiday guests for decades. Now, this comprehensive conversion, made possible by £1.75 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and numerous private donors, has returned the entire site to life for future generations as a self-catering holiday let with a community centre, parts of the building open to the public, and a rolling programme of educational and informative events.

From Calverley Old Hall to Fairburn Tower 

The series continues on Thursday 15 May with another new episode, this time taking us north to the Scottish Highlands. There, the cameras follow the dramatic rescue of Fairburn Tower, a crumbling 16th-century stronghold once home to Murdo Mackenzie, a favourite of King James V. From a precarious ruin to a beautifully revived retreat, the restoration journey is captured in all its complexity. Interrupted by the pandemic and shaped by Scotland’s harsh seasons, the project saw traditional craftsmanship – spiral staircases rebuilt step by step, hand-made windows, and a recreated painted ceiling – return the Renaissance tower to its former glory.

The new episodes will be followed by another chance to see previously aired episodes featuring Cobham Dairy in Kent and the medieval hall house of Llwyn Celyn in Wales.

£5 Million Restoration: Historic House Rescue airs on More4 HD at 9:00pm from Thursday 8 May. Subtitles and audio description available.

The series is currently available only to UK audiences due to broadcast restrictions.

The restoration of Calverley Old Hall is made possible withThe National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to rescue and restore this Grade-1 listed building for future generations.