Historic Lulworth Castle is to host the BBC’s perennially popular Antiques Roadshow in June.

Presenter Fiona Bruce and the team will be exploring the historic castle and delving into the interesting stories behind the stuff in the attic, family heirlooms and car boot bargains of Dorset residents.

The BBC will be filming for its 34th series of Sunday night’s essential viewing for millions of viewers, at the castle on Thursday, June 2 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

“We are thrilled to welcome the much loved Antiques Roadshow to the beautiful setting of Lulworth Castle for one of this year’s venue selections,” said James Weld, Lulworth Estate general manager.

“It is such a prestigious and hugely popular programme, which has been on our television screens for over 30 years, so it will be very interesting to see what the residents of Dorset will bring along.

“It will most certainly get everyone rummaging around for their hidden family treasures,” he added.

The last series, watched by an average of six million viewers, included some great finds such as an Egyptian stone head worth £10,000 which was dug up in a garden.

A medieval ring found on a farm turned out to be worth £20,000 and a Meissen cup and saucer bought at a car boot sale for £2.50 was valued at £5,000.

Among some of the stranger items were uneaten pieces of royal wedding cake and a life-sized stuffed lion once used in a TV series.

The challenge is on for Dorset folk and some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations.

“Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating,” said Fiona Bruce, who is presenting the show for the fourth year.

“And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the ‘what’s it worth?’ moment.”

Series editor Simon Shaw said the team was looking forward to visiting Dorset. “We regularly see between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turnout everyone will get to see an expert,” he said.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photos to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or email them to antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk

FACTFILE

Lulworth Castle was built in the early 17th century as a lodge to entertain hunting parties for the king and court by Thomas Howard, 3rd Lord Bindon.

The Howards owned it until 1641 when it was bought by Humphrey Weld, direct ancestor of the present owners. It became the country house of a large estate however the castle was gutted by a massive fire in 1929 and restoration was not completed until 1998.

The Chapel of St Mary’s in the grounds is reputed to be one of the finest pieces of architecture in Dorset, built in 1786.

Estate owners Wilfred and Sally Weld built nearby Lulworth Castle House, completed in 1977 as a family seat when the prospect of restoring the castle seemed impossible.