Heritage campaign sees Strictly star perform in historic ballrooms
The dancer visited Powderham Castle and Hampton Court Palace.
Oti Mabuse has been filmed performing at two historic ballrooms in a bid to encourage the public to visit them.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, along with her partner Marius Lepure, danced at Powderham Castle in Devon and Hampton Court Palace in London.
The Historic England heritage organisation’s campaign features footage of Ms Mabuse touring the visitor attractions, as well as clips of her performances.
The dancer said: “We are so excited to explore a couple of the most special ballrooms in the country, uncovering their history and dancing in the same spaces many have for centuries.”
As part of the campaign, BBC Radio 2 presenter the Rev Kate Bottley has also been filmed visiting the Loughborough Bellfoundry in Leicestershire, which has been making bells since 1859.
She said: “The first thing that struck me, as I came through those great big doors, was the vastness of the space and how small I felt within it.
“I felt like I’d been transported to another world entirely. It’s like the Narnia of bells!”
Reverend Kate Bottley
She added: “It’s the uniqueness of a place like this. This is an individual place which over the years has grown and evolved.
“It’s like a living, breathing creature that creates these amazing and beautiful objects.”
Great Escape presenter Monty Halls has also visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell in Cornwall.
The gardens disappeared from view after the First World War but were restored in 1990.
Monty Halls
He said: “The first time you arrive at Heligan, there’s a huge sense of anticipation, and then you walk in and step back in time.
“We came to Heligan expecting a good day out and what we got was an absolutely magical experience.”
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “We hope that seeing these familiar faces discover the delights of some of the nation’s incredible heritage will engage and excite people, motivating them to find out more for themselves.
“The last year has been an extremely challenging time and the joy of discovering the heritage on our doorsteps provides an emotional anchor for many of us, as access restrictions open up.”
