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Kevin McCloud and Dr Anna Keay look at the UK's most incredible restorations of historic buildings. From palaces to watermills, department stores to music halls, they find nine centuries of our history told through treasured places that have been brought back from the brink. These are bold interventions, demanding great craft skills, enormous dedication and budgets that run into millions. All of the projects have been placed on the long-list by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for their Restoration of the Year award. The long-list was derived from the Rics Awards 2016 and had a strict judging criteria.
The Victorian category comes into focus as Kevin McCloud and Anna Keay present more building restorations in the running for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Restoration of the Year award. Anna explores Mount Stewart, an imposing country house in Northern Ireland, and Wilton's Music Hall in east London. Architectural historian Jonathan Foyle visits the Pump House in Barry, Wales, and historic building surveyor Marianne Suhr looks round a medieval-style castle in Stornoway in the Scottish Highlands. At the end of the programme, it is revealed which buildings have been chosen to make the final shortlist.
Kevin McCloud and Anna Keay present buildings in the Early category - those constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries. Those in the running are Hampton Court Palace, the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, a medieval building in Ledbury, and Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, where the previously derelict stable block and barns have been revitalised for modern use. At the end of the programme, it is revealed which buildings have been chosen to make the final shortlist.
Kevin McCloud and Anna Keay present the nominees for buildings constructed in the 20th century. Anna takes in Castle Drogo - the last castle built in Britain, Jonathan Foyle loses himself in the art deco glamour of the former Birmingham Central Fire Station, and Marianne Suhr uncovers how a much-loved building in Newcastle has been rescued from the brink. Kevin and Anna then hear which building the judges have put through to the shortlist before the overall winner is revealed. Last in the series.
