Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors - Episode Guide

A look inside one of the UK's most renowned and historical buildings. After losing around £1million pounds a month during the last year, cameras follow the huge recovery efforts of the Abbey's 300-strong team of staff and volunteers. It is crucial the Abbey recuperates some of these lost funds and open its doors once again to services, events and the royals.

With the Abbey hosting memorials of national importance, it is crucial that its ancient structure is in tip-top shape. Clerk of the works Ian Bartlett puts the finishing touches to a serious problem on the roof. His deputy Iain McDonald carries out a survey of the Abbey's iconic Hawksmoor towers, which means abseiling 69 metres above the structure's main exit.

It is Holy Week at Westminster Abbey and preparations have begun for some of the most important few days in their year. Music Director James O'Donnell has to get the choir into perfect tune. Meanwhile, Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments (the abbey's vast collection of documents), turns detective and investigates something mysterious.

Cameras focus on heritage cleaner Vittoria, who cares for the tomb of The Unknown Warrior, an unidentified soldier killed on the Western Front during the First World War. Meanwhile, led by minor canon Mark Birch, preparations are underway for a service of thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day, anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, the Gallipoli landings.

Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, pays a visit to the abbey, and meets with his friend and colleague, Canon Tricia Hillas. She is chaplain to the speaker, and Tricia takes Lindsay on a tour of the Chapter House.

Christmas is the most intense time of year at the abbey and the season begins with Advent. Relative newbie, minor canon Bob is in charge of this dramatic service, which involves multiple candles being held aloft to represent the light of Christ coming into the world. Music is a vital part of the DNA of the abbey. Under the supervision of choirmaster James O' Donnell, the choristers rehearse for the Christmas carol concerts to come. It's a special time for James, as it's his last Christmas at the abbey after being there for more than 20 years. In the library, the dean inspects a precious medieval document. The richly illustrated Litlyngton Missal records how the abbey celebrated Christmas six centuries ago. Lorraine, head honcho of the abbey's in-house restaurant, is looking for inspiration for her Christmas lunch menu. Archivist Mathew digs out details of the abbey's seasonal celebrations in Tudor times. But will geese, capons, spices, and gallons and gallons of ale really make it onto this year's menu? And the Christmas spirit really begins when the huge tree arrives for the abbey's grounds. The tree going up marks the real start of the Christmas season around the square at Westminster. The abbey shop is a big money-spinner and Christmas is the crucial retail period. Amy, the shop's new head, is keen to make a good impression. But budgets are tight, and she must rely on her in-house team to create the all-important window display. Up on the abbey's highest roof, deputy head of maintenance Iain discovers a leak, which must be fixed pronto. Scaffolders and lead workers are set to work to ensure that this year's Christmas is a dry one. At the Christmas family day, children and adults alike join in a carolling sing-along with the choir. As the abbey rings out with the sound of seasonal music, the dean of Westminster delivers a message about the true meaning of Christmas.