Hunstrete, Somerset
First screened 17 February 2008

Hunstrete – Background

In the late 18th century, wealthy landowner Francis Popham began constructing a mansion in this beautiful part of Somerset. He intended it to be one of the grandest houses in England.

But Francis would never see his dream fulfilled as he died shortly after construction began. His wife Dorothy took on the project and carried on for 17 years – until her own death, when building work presumably stopped, still incomplete.

Eventually the mansion was demolished, but no floor plans exist to tell us what it actually looked like. We don't even know who designed it or whether anyone lived in it though records suggest a building of extraordinary luxury.

Could Time Team find the remains of what might be the biggest folly in England? They had three days to do so.

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