In this second episode of our Great British Houses series:
In the heart of Kent is one of Britain’s most intriguing houses: Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Originally a grand Elizabethan manor, by the 20th century Sissinghurst had fallen into a ruinous state. Yet it was this wildness and disrepair which enchanted one of the bestselling writers of the 1920s, Vita Sackville-West.
In this documentary, Alice Loxton explores how Vita, along with her husband Harold, transformed this romantic ruin into a home. Joined by National Trust experts and leading historians, Alice uncovers the secrets of Sissinghurst - and in turn, the fascinating aspects of Vita’s unique character. From her bestselling writing to the creation of a world class garden, from a loving relationship with her husband Harold to many passionate romances with women, Vita was a remarkable woman, trapped between the old and new. This is the story of Vita’s Sissinghurst - a story of Vita in love.
Up Next in Season 1
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Alan Turing: The Pride of Manchester
A special film exploring the life and legacy of Alan Turing - genius pioneer of modern computing. With Alan's nephew Sir Dermot Turing and exclusive access to unseen family records, we investigate lesser known aspects of his incredible work. This story is rooted in the City of Manchester, home t...
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Uncovering the Enigma: Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is now internationally famous as the home of the code-breakers during World War Two. But the endeavours of Alan Turing, Dilly Knox and their colleagues were so top secret that we are only now beginning to learn how they really lived day-to-day in this magnificent house, where – beh...
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Fighting Proud: A Gay History of the ...
At the end of World War Two the British public wanted to get back to ‘normal’. The gay men who had served their King and country found themselves subjected to a vigorous enforcement of the draconian law that would put them into prison if they were found guilty of indecency. But servicemen living ...
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