Taking a well-deserved break from running their organic farm in the Durham Dales, Matt takes his parents to explore Co Durham's spectacular Raby Castle and its wider estate. Matt arranges a surprise carriage ride for his parents to arrive in style at the castle before they begin to discover Raby's rich history and Christmases dating back to the 14th century.

The Bakers head to Hexham, home to one of the most scenic racecourses in the country. Matt is off the stables and saddles up for a ride on a winning horse, while Janice gets involved in training dogs for the emergency services before helping to round up the resident sheep from the home straight.

The Bakers enjoy a trip around Durham Cathedral. Matt visits a nearby quarry to help blast stone used to refurbish the cathedral itself before braving the freezing waters of the River Wear for an underwater treasure hunt. Bird enthusiast Mike gets up close and personal with the owls in the cloisters and meets the craftspeople lovingly conserving the building, while Janice helps to create one of the cathedral's new tapestries.

The Bakers visit the Beamish Living Museum, where Matt gets a crash course in driving a 1900s tram and sees how an entire farmhouse has been moved stone by stone. Janice gets to take a Shetland pit-pony for a walk and the family get a busman's holiday lending a hand with some stubborn pigs on a 1940s farm.

Matt Baker takes his mum Janice and dad Mike on some memorable excursions around the North East, as they go behind the scenes at Bamburgh Castle.