Blenheim Palace: Behind the Grandeur - Season 1

In episode one, we meet apprentice George who is opening the Palace for the thousands of expected guests, but isn't alone as overnight there's been an intruder – a pigeon. The Palace team, led by Head of Collections Kate, try to get it out before the coaches of visitors arrive.

Over in the hub kitchen, on the far side of the estate, the catering team prepare hundreds of meals for their four eateries. Head of catering Jack goes to their own kitchen garden to discuss the latest produce they can expect to receive in the kitchens with vegetable gardener Harrison.

Meanwhile, the events team led by Natalie and Julian prepare for Nocturne, a series of music concerts that take place outside in the Palace's Great Court, attracting 10,000 guests a night. But the British summer threatens opening night and there is concern that the vibrations from the concert might threaten the priceless china collection in the Palace.

Deputy head of collections Carmen deals with the return of the pigeons and spots some damage to a painting which she thinks might be their fault.

And as Blenheim is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this year the Palace celebrates the 150th anniversary of the event. The catering team devise a celebration afternoon tea and guests have a surprise in store when a Churchill look-a-like pops by.

It's lambing season at Blenheim, and head shepherd Shaun is monitoring the 1500 lambs due to be born. Most sheep lamb in the field without problems, but on a 4am round, Shaun has to intervene in a difficult birth.

Meanwhile back at the Palace, social history researcher Antonia is hiding the toy ‘Marlborough Mice' around the Palace. It's a trail they provide for school groups and a unique way of engaging young people in the history of Blenheim.

One element of Blenheim history, which still has importance today, is the way they pay their rent to the Crown, who own the land that the Palace is built on. Keeper of Palace and Collections, Kate, gets the unusual payment ready for a trip to Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile, collections apprentice George, is set the task of cleaning some of the 10,000 books in the Long Library, a space once used as a hospital for wounded military and an evacuation centre for a boys school during the war.

Never quiet, the events team are busy hosting the 20th anniversary of the annual Blenheim triathlon, which covers much of the estate, as we follow three newbies to triathlon who begin the day with a kit malfunction. On the far side of the estate, where the cycle route will pass, the forestry team are surveying the ancient woodland, and head of conservation, Filipe, is especially fond of one tree in particular.

But, as well as conserving history, Blenheim is the most forward-thinking Palace in Europe, using innovation to make all departments more efficient and sustainable, and in a partnership with Oxford University, Spot the robot dog is creating a digital map of the palace to help the Palace conservation team - much to the delight of guests.

The events team have a busy weekend ahead as the Knights of Middle England arrive to perform at the jousting event held on the South Lawn, but this year they have an extra treat for guests - a medieval village showcasing ancient crafts and warfare - and one of the duelling knights is Blenheim's own, property manager, Ken.

Meanwhile in the Palace, the guides are getting into costume to create living re-enactments in the house and gardens, and Sylvan, a guide for the past decade, has the honour of opening the historic front door, carved from wood from the Blenheim forest.

The guest services team set off to the Cascades waterfall to recce locations for a bespoke tour for guests which will show an additional side to the Blenheim experience, but just as they arrive, the wheels literally come off their plan.

Back at the jousting tournament, the hot weather is causing a drama for catering and at Park Farm at the Blenheim Estate mineral water bottling plant, manager Trevor is having a nightmare. The plant has had a breakdown and the electricity board have caused a spanner in the works.

Back in the middle ages, Woodstock Manor stood across the grand bridge and head of Built Heritage Kelly, takes apprentice Aimee to the original site to teach her about the lake dredge and bridge survey as part of her studies.

Keeper of the Palace Kate is excited to receive some paintings by Winston Churchill himself and loaned some pistols originally belonging to the 1st Duke of Marlborough, and textile conservator Emma is called in to reduce the risk of damage to the ancient tapestries.

The day ends in the Great Court with the 80th celebration of D day and the lighting of the torch by the current Duke.

The historic clocks at Blenheim are serviced by master clockmaker John, while deputy events manager Julian has the job of winding them all. In the shop, head of retail Judy hopes their new range of bespoke estate merchandise will arrive in time for the flower show, while host Ian takes visitors on a tour around the grounds.