Summer At The Palace

We join Matt Baker and the team at this year’s Countryfile Live event in the grounds of one of Britain’s greatest stately homes

 

- Rebecca Fletcher

It’s a gloriously hot summer’s day when TV Times arrives at the stunning Oxfordshire estate of Blenheim Palace to enjoy the Countryfile Live show. So what’s with all the mud?!

‘I hope you’ve brought your wellies!’ grins Matt Baker, bounding over from an imposingly-high threshing machine which is loudly separating cereal grain from the chaff.

‘I was on top of this thresher an hour ago when there was a sudden downpour with lightning. Ah, the joy of English summers! But the weather is as much a part of Countryfile as anything else. I don’t mind a bit of rain.’

Clearly, nor do Countryfile lovers, who are gathered here in their thousands, revelling in the four-day show, which brings together all the things we cherish about the great British outdoors.

Live arena shows, animal displays, wildlife and farming demos – not to mention food stalls showcasing produce from all over the country – fill the grounds as far as the eye can see, with TV cameras capturing it all for a summer special to be shown on Sunday.

‘We wanted to bring Countryfile to our fans,’ smiles Matt, as he poses happily for yet another selfie. ‘We want to give people who are passionate about the countryside the chance to experience what we do week in, week out. Seeing their reaction makes us realise the impact the show has and how people are fascinated by the outdoors’ life. It gives me so much pleasure.’