Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors (2022)
From ancient rituals and traditions to tourism, we go behind the scenes to discover a place at the heart of Britain for almost 1,000 years.
Seasons & Episode
The Abbey's status as a 'Royal Peculiar' means that it relies almost entirely on the money it makes from selling tickets to tourists.
With the Abbey hosting memorials of national importance, it is crucial that its ancient structure is in tip-top shape. Clerk of the works Ian Bartlett puts the finishing touches to a serious problem on the roof. His deputy Iain McDonald carries out a survey of the Abbey's iconic Hawksmoor towers, which means abseiling 69 metres above the structure's main exit.
It is Holy Week at Westminster Abbey and preparations have begun for some of the most important few days in their year. Music Director James O'Donnell has to get the choir into perfect tune. Meanwhile, Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments (the abbey's vast collection of documents), turns detective and investigates something mysterious.
Outside in the abbey greenhouse, head gardener Jan Pancheri is hard at work putting the finishing touches to her garden tour in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.
Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle pays a visit to the abbey to meet with his friend and colleague canon Tricia Hillas, chaplain to the speaker.
During Christmas, minor canon Bob is in charge of the Advent service, choirmaster James is leaving after almost 20 years, and there's a leak in the roof.