It’s just over a year ago since Mary Berry announced she was quitting as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.

But as the popular TV star sits down for a chat with Saturday magazine – ahead of her new four-part BBC1 series, Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets – she admits she definitely doesn’t have any regrets.

“I am looking forward to a new challenge, and my new programme is different to anything I’ve seen on television before,” she smiles, adding: “I particularly wanted to do something that isn’t entirely about cakes!”

Mary’s new series, in which she delves into the secrets behind Britain’s stately homes, sees her travel to Highclere Castle – the home of Downton Abbey – as well as to Glorious Goodwood, Scone Palace and Powderham Castle to chat to the families who live there and find out how they run their beloved historic houses.

She also talks to the staff and cooks some delicious meals in their kitchens.

But one thing she’s keen to stress is that she isn’t trying to step into the shoes of some of today’s leading TV historians, like Lucy Worsley.

“I am not a historian,” she explains.

“I let the actual owners tell the story. I am just prising it out of them.

“We visit houses across the country with families living in them. It’s been so lovely and really interesting. The stately homes really are another world and I loved finding out new tips, learning about how the families who live in them run the house and entertain.”

The first episode will open with a visit to Highclere, which sees Mary cook a game stew and chat with Lady Carnarvon and her staff – one of whom has been there for 60 years.

She also looks more glamorous than ever as she attends a party held at the house wearing such a sparkling gold dress that she wouldn’t look out of place on Strictly Come Dancing. “That was lovely,” she enthuses.

“It’s such a traditional family-led house and I loved chatting to Lady Carnarvon. She made me feel really at home.”

Brimming with enthusiasm and excitement about her new TV project, Mary says she enjoyed all of her visits and couldn’t possibly pick a favourite.

"It was exciting to see such a variety of houses; they were all so different,” she says.

“At Goodwood, it is a superbly run country house and Lord March was a delightful man. Nothing was too much trouble. But I thought they were all wonderful!”

Cooking in the great houses was, she adds, a real thrill.

“It inspired me to keep my standards up,” she says. 

Filming the BBC stately home series over the summer also meant it filled the void left in Mary’s diary after she walked away from Bake Off.

So did she watch the re-vamped series on Channel 4, with Prue Leith at the helm? Of course, comes the reply. And her verdict?

“It’s still the same. Prue is brilliant,” declares Mary.

She reveals she hasn’t seen her fellow Bake Off hosts, Mel and Sue – which is no wonder, really, considering her busy schedule – but she has spoken to them on the telephone.

And she will soon be reuniting with them for a Christmas TV special, Mary, Mel and Sue’s Surprise Party.

She also has a new BBC show coming up called Britain’s Best Cook, with Claudia Winkleman. 

Slowing down is not an option for the 82 year old, because she absolutely loves what she does. “I do enjoy it all and I’ve got a great team around me,” she smiles.

Any spare time, she confides, is spent with her family. They went away on holiday together over the summer and Mary often cooks with her grandchildren after school. She also likes playing the odd game of tennis with her friends, gardening and, of course, trying out new recipes.

“I am still working hard,” she says.

“Nothing changes!” As for whether this new series heralds the start of a new direction for Mary and she laughs as she stresses she is taking one step at a time “Let’s see whether it takes off,” she says.

“I had an absolutely delightful time, and there are many more houses to visit, but I’d like to see what people say. I know it will depend what it is up against, but I enjoyed my summer making this.”

And with that final thought, Mary dashes off to work. She’s as inspirational as ever.

Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets, Wednesday 8PM, BBC1