Tv shows are another way I like to view old houses and places. Especially as some of them can be very interesting and feature beautiful and historic places.
So I thought it would be nice to share our favourites shows for 'viewing' old houses, so here's a few I could think fo at the moment, I'll probably add to this message with more shows when I remember them.
Documentaries
'History of the Home'
This was a very insightful series covering the four key rooms of the modern home; the bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen. It was really interesting to learn about the history of each of these rooms and how they have evolved over the centuries. I like how the social history aspects as well as the architectural aspects are explored in a factual and entertaining way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RoNuv8C-gI – The Bedroom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDw2yNdQPho – The Living Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inoVg5a1kps – The Bathroom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSBHDSIcObQ – The Kitchen
Dramas
'Agatha Christie’s Marple'
Essentially it is a series of adaptations of some of Agatha Christie’s great novels/short stories featuring the original spinster sleuth; Miss Marple. I really like the stories but one of the main attractions is the beautiful old houses that feature in pretty much all of the episodes. The stories are set in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and so none of the houses featured bare any horrible modern additions, so they are all very beautiful, my personal favourite is the beautiful Victorian/Edwardian home in the episode; ‘Towards Zero’, it occupies a breathtaking position at the top of a cliff and is adorned with many beautiful original features. But all the episodes I’ve seen so far feature houses equally as beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2uFvaTTvuA - Episode 1 - The Body in the Library
'Little Dorrit'
It’s an adaptation of the story of the same name by Charles Dickens. It’s set in Georgian/Victorian England, mostly in London. The house which I thought might be of interest is the house of Clennam, which is a big old creaking London townhouse with a very dark Victorian interior. My heart almost stopped in the final episode when the house finally gave in to its creaking and collapsed, killing the villain, leaving its owner outside on the street to die of a heart attack from the shock. The series/season is very good at portraying life in Victorian London and features many beautiful and interesting old houses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIaZkiX7SPY – ‘Little Dorrit’ - First episode.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR8ZMEZ9DKU – The Final episode (14) In which the house finally comes crashing down. The house begins to come crashing down after about 40 mins, although watching from 30 mins has more of an impact
'Downton Abbey'
Personally, I’m not a fan of the show, but the house is rather impressive. My friends that watch the show have said now it’s become very much like a soap opera and so lacks what it used to have in the way of a period drama. But the house is worth a look. ‘Highclere Castle’ is it’s real name.

Restoration Man (UK - Channel 4, worldwide, check local Listing, or use 4OD)

I love how they restore those houses, it like a grand designs for Britain's history...

Ooh!
Restoration Home - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyFqSkbEmFY
Heritage! The Battle For Britain's Past - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDiVk_kV8uU
Britain's Secret Homes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leJD0KBVKF8
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TQQoX9U5HM
The Country House Revealed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU4K...66Lgh2AIulO-ykH
Pugin: God's Own Architect - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0sV...vMph5XxVJYqadow
How England was Built - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA3F49E50CB979A2C
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC19IrrI9Us

Hmm, I don't have time to view now, but its something to delve into when I have le time!

I'm watching this programme called "Restoration Home" on BBC 2. No link, sorry.
I actually don't like it as much as "Restoration Man" on Channel 4, Its a lot more Dramatised, which I think detracts from it…

I agree, Restoration Home tends to be overly dramatic, but in comparison with the Restoration Man the restorations are more faithful to the historic building. George Clark(The Restoration Man) claims he want to save old buildings but he's often the first to rework existing plans to remove elements that damage a building's historical integrity. He doesn't always do this though. The Field House is by far one of the best homes featured on The Restoration Man;

They actually protected the Medieval structure of the house by building a modern frame/structure around it to take the weight of the roof. It was really a very inspirational idea, although from what I remember, George wasn't too enthusiastic about it though.

Hmm yeah, but we've only had one episode of restoration home so far, only time will tell...
But remember that tower in Scotland, where the "restorer" tacked on the great ugly blue thing... That was disgraceful, but at least it contrasted.
Another one I remember was where they put on this immense ugly low-rise flat-roofed 70s-esque extension... Not one I'm fond of either...

One episode? We've had 2 or 3 series' already.
That tower in Scotland must have been a nightmare. I suppose they made the best of a bad situation with the tacked on extension, although the planners must have been high or blind not to have allowed any of the previous ideas. We got to see what the previous owner tried to get permision for and I much prefered one of his designs which had that authentic castle feel. I just cannot believe they would allow the current solution rather than the previous designs. One of my other favourites was a country house in Wales. Although I guess the family never finished it and had to sell it because they have never been "revisited".

Oh yeah, I know what you mean, yeah.... (In relation to the welsh house) it was a medieval hall, wasn't it?
I must have missed all those seasons of restoration home... Where can I catch-up?

Here's the link for the first episode of series one on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyFqSkbEmFY
Otherwise, you could try BBC I-Player.

Ok, yeah! (Never watches it, like ever) I have a bad memory :P