To The Manor Born. Image shows from L to R: Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith), Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles). Copyright: BBC
To The Manor Born

To The Manor Born

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1979 - 2007
  • 22 episodes (3 series)

Riches-to-rags-to-riches romantic tale of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, forced to sell her beloved stately home to pay off her late husband's debts. Stars Penelope Keith, Peter Bowles, Angela Thorne, Gerald Sim, John Rudling and more.

Press clippings

BBC Four to repeat comedy classics

To link in with the celebrations of 100 years of the BBC, from Saturday 22nd October BBC Four will begin broadcasting classic episodes of sitcoms and sketch shows.

British Comedy Guide, 14th October 2022

To The Manor Born made Peter Bowles a superstar - just not at the BBC

The charming culture-clash comedy was once watched by over 20 million people. Then why did its star feel underappreciated?

Alexander Larman, The Telegraph, 17th March 2022

Only Fools And Horses is TV's most-watched ever show

Only Fools And Horses has been announced as the most-watched show in the entire 80-year history of British television.

British Comedy Guide, 31st October 2016

BBC comedy classics go on display

Much-loved British comedians and sitcom stars are being celebrated in a new exhibition. Comedy faces from Frankie Howerd to Ricky Gervais are on display at the Compton Verney art gallery in Warwickshire from 9 July. BBC Faces of Comedy is showing 100 pictures ranging from the 1950s to the present day. Leading comics have curated the exhibition - including Have I Got News For You panellist Paul Merton and the star of Citizen Khan, Adil Ray. Here they talk about some of their favourite comedy moments.

Paul Merton and Adil Ray, BBC News, 10th July 2016

Only Fools And Horses producer Gareth Gwenlan dies aged 79

Top comedy producer Gareth Gwenlan OBE, whose credits include Only Fools And Horses, has died aged 79.

British Comedy Guide, 9th May 2016

How we made To The Manor Born

Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, the stars of the classic BBC sitcom To The Manor Born recall Rolls-Royces, chilly location shoots - and an increasingly tubby beagle.

Anna Tims, The Guardian, 15th April 2013

Penelope Keith blasts the youth cult of TV

Penelope Keith says: "When I did The Good Life and To The Manor Born, producers didn't have to fill in forms saying which audience they were targeting. It was commissioned just because it was good."

Daily Mail, 15th November 2011

Manor Born gardens re-open after £300,000 restoration

Historic gardens featured in the British sitcom To The Manor Born reopened on Monday after a £300,000 restoration.

The Telegraph, 4th May 2010

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