Peter Standish (John Kerr) travels back in time to 1780’s London, switching places with his ancestor, Peter Standish. There, he meets the Pettigrew family, who lives in the house he will eventually inherit from a distant cousin. Peter arrives to be engaged to the eldest daughter, Kate Pettigrew (Jeannie Carson). Over the next few weeks, he experiences the daily activities and living conditions of an unromantic Victorian England, much to his disappointment. During this time, Peter alienates and frightens Kate, her mother and brother by knowing future events he should not know. However, Peter has fallen in love with the Helen Pettigrew (Janet Munro), who returns the feelings. Peter travels back to his proper time, just before his engagement to Kate dissolves and he changes the future.