0:00:28 > 0:00:30Bodnant Garden in North Wales
0:00:33 > 0:00:38of rhododendrons and azaleas.
0:00:38 > 0:00:52Bodnant has attracted garden lovers
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Head gardener, Troy Scott Smith
0:00:54 > 0:00:56a major improvement programme
0:00:56 > 0:01:00the top ten gardens in the world.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Lawn work. I mean, big expense a
0:01:15 > 0:01:20year just to maintain that one lawn!
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Hedge cutting takes two people
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Running Bodnant is obviously a very expensive operation.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35We spend over a million quid a year on this garden. We've got to
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Bodnant's Manager, Michael McLaren, a member of the Aberconway family
0:01:49 > 0:01:53With Visitor Services Manager,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01this is the draft schedule...
0:02:12 > 0:02:17It will be very noisy I have to say
0:02:20 > 0:02:22about cannon and musket fire
0:02:25 > 0:02:30coming to see the beauty and tranquillity here. They might feel a little nose out of joint
0:02:33 > 0:02:37re-enactment, there'll be archery,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44It's a way of giving more pleasure to more people who come to Bodnant
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and they want to see a play
0:02:46 > 0:02:50It's more revenue, hopefully profit.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57and I'm completely determined that we're going to make it financially even more self sufficient than it is
0:02:57 > 0:03:00provided, of course, it doesn't spoil the ethos of the place.
0:03:03 > 0:03:11One event that certainly won't threaten the ethos of Bodnant is the head gardener's guided tour.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14What I propose we'll do then we'll just stroll round the garden,
0:03:35 > 0:03:45what some of them are called.
0:03:55 > 0:04:17But it's easy with the species of course but with hybrids, you know, if this was raised at Bodnant
0:04:17 > 0:04:21I think some of the larger scale events, like the war re-enactment,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33attracting visitors to Bodnant
0:04:33 > 0:04:37is all about the horticulture and it never fails to impress.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42I just think its so peaceful. It's
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I think it's the best I've been to.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50I mean I used to go to Kew a lot
0:04:50 > 0:04:54it's better than that really.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59But at £5 a head, this small scale tour won't make much of dent
0:05:03 > 0:05:06hopes on more ambitious events
0:05:06 > 0:05:10to broaden the appeal of Bodnant and bring in a new source of income.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It's a beautiful day in July.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26Visitors are gathering for two big events to open the summer season.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31The Mid Wales falconry team is entertaining the crowds.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39She has to co-ordinate both the falconry display in the day time
0:05:39 > 0:05:41and an opera in the evening.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44When you're running events, there is a lot of pressure.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47There is a lot of pressure on a normal opening day with visitors.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51You want things to be perfect to have the greatest of times.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54I quite thrive on that really.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56I'm going to get the birds off out
0:05:56 > 0:06:01and then we'll do something called eye to talon co-ordination with
0:06:03 > 0:06:08especially the Harris hawks
0:06:08 > 0:06:12when they catch it! Nice round of
0:06:22 > 0:06:30OK, bit of a fight...and they're
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Lots of people who come from cities will never have seen these birds
0:06:34 > 0:06:38so it's really great that they can get that kind of information.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Hi, how are you? Wonderful, thank
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Good. I missed the afternoon flying display. I'm really sorry about that.
0:06:46 > 0:06:52I know you're busy with everything that's going on. It is a busy day,
0:06:52 > 0:06:58for tonight's opera performance
0:07:00 > 0:07:04it's been a really busy weekend and particularly busy for me today.
0:07:04 > 0:07:23for garden opera this evening.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Yeah? OK. That one feels quite full.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31The technical crew and performers have been granted special access
0:07:37 > 0:07:40is down the steps that are there.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44That way and then just go... You'll need just to lower the rope step
0:07:46 > 0:07:50because our guests are having a little wander around the garden.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53of course people will just walk
0:07:53 > 0:07:59wherever they... Where restricted
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Just ask you to go back on to the lawn. This is a private area.
0:08:02 > 0:08:08So if you'd like to go down the steps
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Bodnant Garden was donated to the National Trust 60 years ago,
0:08:16 > 0:08:21but the house is still owned and it's closed to the public.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Sandy, you'll be in the car park here. Gordon, at the tunnel entrance.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30Doreen, you are going to be
0:08:35 > 0:08:42to cope with the expected crowds.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45The majority of all the work on the events, certainly the organising
0:08:45 > 0:08:50beforehand and on the day of
0:08:53 > 0:08:57because if it isn't successful it's down to me in the end.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08But Troy is worried that so many
0:09:10 > 0:09:13My job is to care for the garden
0:09:20 > 0:09:25of visitors who are gardeners, well they understand the problems
0:09:25 > 0:09:32but people coming for, let's say,
0:09:32 > 0:09:37and the fragility of the garden
0:09:37 > 0:09:49creates a bit of a worry for me the garden could be damaged.
0:10:06 > 0:10:13I have been concerned about ticket sales. The weather has been really pretty poor this month particularly.
0:10:13 > 0:10:23'But you have to go ahead and publicise it, get the leaflets out.
0:10:27 > 0:10:38With less than an hour to go,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Michael McLaren and his family
0:11:01 > 0:11:04to support Bodnant's premiere of Donizetti's Don Pasquale.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08All the family have gathered - my wife, my three children,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11various of her children, various
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Michael and his wife Caroline this is the way forward for Bodnant.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I think it's wonderful to hear music
0:11:46 > 0:11:51alive. We heard people warming up
0:11:51 > 0:11:55It's just what a garden and a house like this should have, lots of music!
0:11:55 > 0:12:00Well, it's rather a dream come true because I adore music and my wife went to the Royal College of Music
0:12:00 > 0:12:02plays a big part in our lives.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06the two together - it's wonderful.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34It's a lively modern production
0:12:34 > 0:12:39are here to enjoy the performance.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Not as many as I really would have hoped, have turned up for this event.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48gamble with an evening event,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Perhaps not everybody's cup of tea.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59Michael and Ann have to face the fact that the opera was not quite the success they would have wished.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02haven't got enough to break even.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07But I think this is the way forward and see if we can get numbers up.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11operas fairly regularly at Bodnant
0:13:11 > 0:13:17but, at the moment, you're right
0:13:17 > 0:13:27and things like that before where they have those big concerts.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31utmost to promote and publicise
0:13:31 > 0:13:36We've had it on our website, we've produced leaflets and posters.
0:13:36 > 0:13:45They've gone out everywhere locally, throughout North Wales, Cheshire
0:13:45 > 0:13:48to get the message out there - we've got opera in the garden.
0:13:50 > 0:14:05'If something isn't working,
0:14:10 > 0:14:15There's one consolation for Troy and his team as the crowds depart,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Water lilies have been star
0:14:32 > 0:14:36There are 15 varieties here
0:14:36 > 0:14:39providing a spectacular display
0:14:53 > 0:14:58it was moved here in 1939 from
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's a fantastic space, isn't it?
0:15:10 > 0:15:14The design and the sense of space
0:15:14 > 0:15:19by Henry McLaren - designed by him
0:15:21 > 0:15:25sort of between 1905 and 1920.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29'There's a lovely picture I've got...
0:15:33 > 0:15:37'showing this pond with the lilies
0:15:37 > 0:15:42You know, its just like a stage set - there's nothing out of place every single leaf is perfect.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I don't know how many gardeners
0:15:47 > 0:15:52but it shows you the amount of attention that they gave to the garden when it was being laid out.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54then the Pin Mill wasn't here.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00which of course makes this lovely
0:16:00 > 0:16:04It's nice to have the lilies just at either end so you do see
0:16:07 > 0:16:11but that will soon be fixed
0:16:14 > 0:16:19pond over the peak summer season.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Still, many of this year's visitors are not coming for the lilies.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Fortunately it's a sunny day.
0:16:40 > 0:16:57They're re-enacting a local
0:16:57 > 0:17:04What a lethal looking weapon.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08is to have something that the visitors can actually interact with.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12You know, you've got a lady there
0:17:12 > 0:17:23use it properly and safely.
0:17:33 > 0:17:39As a gardener, you become ever so precious about your garden
0:17:39 > 0:17:43hours into it, not just me, but the 20 other gardeners.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49time we've dedicated to the garden,
0:17:49 > 0:17:55cold and wet, or too hot, and, yeah, you don't want it damaging.
0:18:00 > 0:18:06You do have a personal relationship a different way and I think
0:18:06 > 0:18:10if you don't have that bond I think you're probably less of a gardener.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23The Royalists and Roundheads
0:18:23 > 0:18:26All the volunteers are kitted
0:18:41 > 0:18:47bodies on the Royalist side and the Roundheads claim victory.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52and, yes, it was great, smashing.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58I like the old cannons and that going off. Bit of a fright like
0:19:02 > 0:19:04we've never been to Bodnant
0:19:04 > 0:19:09but because the Sealed Knot were
0:19:12 > 0:19:15to enjoy the peace of the garden,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18see this every time I came here
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I think it's been really good.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25The battle at Bodnant is a triumph.
0:19:25 > 0:19:32and made a profit of £8,000.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Clearly it brings people in.
0:19:34 > 0:19:40Once they've seen the event, they've got the whole of the garden to enjoy so it's a good added-value visit.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45And it's going to be a success obviously is the bottom line really.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54they're removing the lilies
0:20:45 > 0:20:49It's quite critical that we get the proper stuff, aquatic compost,
0:20:49 > 0:20:54heavy and low in nutrients. Naturally expected this not to be so soily.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59You can see it's fairly like soil
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Forms nice, um, balls there.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07not going to lift up which is good.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26This temporary pool is the lilies' home for the next eight months
0:21:26 > 0:21:30while essential repairs are carried out at the lily pond.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35but it's a small price to pay to safeguard this important feature.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I think we may get a few complaints
0:21:41 > 0:21:45"Why are we digging all the sort of key areas up in the garden?"
0:21:48 > 0:21:53and the lilies will survive and we'll get them back next season hopefully.
0:22:05 > 0:22:11As the summer draws to an end, Ann and the team are preparing for the last event of the season.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15The BBC television programme,
0:22:15 > 0:22:20It's an opportunity to show the garden to millions of viewers.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's not something we've held here
0:22:27 > 0:22:30the film crews here and the experts.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34If we get somewhere between
0:22:34 > 0:22:371,500 and 3,000 people here tomorrow
0:22:37 > 0:22:40it would be the highest number of people we've had to an event.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45So it will also be the biggest event
0:22:45 > 0:22:49The Bodnant Team is keen to
0:23:00 > 0:23:04She's running a little bit late and
0:23:12 > 0:23:16FB has just arrived in the car park so she'll make her way down.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19when I came into the garden
0:23:19 > 0:23:24was just the scope of the ambition
0:23:24 > 0:23:47or people that put this together.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51There's no doubt the event is going to be a huge success for Bodnant.
0:23:51 > 0:23:58Hundreds of people have turned up with their family heirlooms and curios to be valued by the experts.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01For The Antiques Road Show team
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Main interest on the Road Show is the objects and the owners
0:24:09 > 0:24:15but it's important to us, as well, to be able to have a compelling backdrop and ideally with a great history
0:24:15 > 0:24:21and this came together beautifully for us and we have been so incredibly lucky with the weather today.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25that Troy doesn't want to miss.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29I wasn't going to bring anything It's an oil on canvas painting
0:24:29 > 0:24:34and see what the experts say.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Something that I've always liked.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40You know it's hanging in my
0:24:46 > 0:24:48I am much more relaxed today.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52be a shame if I didn't enjoy these days instead of worrying about them
0:24:52 > 0:24:56because it actually does bring something extra to Bodnant I think.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Knole which I expect you knew.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09It's a fantastic view and I actually know the artist that painted this -
0:25:20 > 0:25:23a bit of a story about the artist'
0:25:23 > 0:25:25and the actual subject matter.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Value wise it would have been nice if it had a few more noughts on!
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Oh, I was going to have a look through the window. I'm afraid you
0:25:37 > 0:25:40is still a challenge for Ann.
0:25:40 > 0:25:47Over 2,000 visitors have arrived they haven't paid to come in.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52That is an income loss if you like for us but also it increases
0:25:52 > 0:25:55and, more importantly, it's raising
0:25:58 > 0:26:00It has been very worthwhile today.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08there appears to be very little damage to his precious lawn.
0:26:08 > 0:26:14When you look across generally you can see the lawn's been walked on but I think it's well worth it, isn't it?
0:26:17 > 0:26:20fantastic atmosphere, decent weather, really enjoyed it actually!
0:26:23 > 0:26:33got a huge audience bringing six million viewers to admire the garden as a backdrop for the show.
0:26:33 > 0:26:40Over the course of the summer,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43bringing new visitors to Bodnant,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Even Troy has finally accepted that non-gardening events are essential.
0:26:56 > 0:27:04mindful that we're dealing with
0:27:04 > 0:27:09so I think, you know, if we can attract more tourists and more
0:27:09 > 0:27:13that would serve my purpose, because the garden's getting better,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22more events equals more visitors
0:27:28 > 0:27:30And that's the point for Michael.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34I'd like to see the events develop along the same lines as have
0:27:34 > 0:27:37with improvements, obviously,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41But, broadly speaking, the events were very successful this year
0:27:41 > 0:27:43on that success for next year.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk