Series synopsis
Britain's Most Historic Towns is a British documentary television series that premiered on Channel 4 on April 7, 2018. It stars Alice Roberts and Ben Robinson.
In this unique take on British history, Professor Alice Roberts explores Britain's rich and varied past through the stories of individual towns and cities. In each programme Alice studies one key period in history by delving into the secrets of a historic town that encapsulates the era, providing an accurate impression of what life was really like at key moments in our turbulent past. At the climax of each programme, cutting-edge CGI reveals the entire historic town in all its former glory.
Premise
In this unique take on British history, Professor Alice Roberts explores Britain's rich and varied past through the stories of individual towns and cities. In each programme Alice studies one key period in history by delving into the secrets of a historic town that encapsulates the era, providing an accurate impression of what life was really like at key moments in our turbulent past. At the climax of each programme, cutting-edge CGI reveals the entire historic town in all its former glory.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Alice Roberts as Self - Presenter
- Ben Robinson as Himself
Guest cast
- Ben Robinson as Himself
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 19 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | April 7, 2018 | May 12, 2018 |
| Season 2 | 6 | May 18, 2019 | June 22, 2019 |
| Season 3 | 7 | November 7, 2020 | December 19, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Roman Chester In Chester, Britain's most Roman city, Alice enjoys a Roman feast, checks out an extraordinary archaeological find deep underground and explores a radical theory on the Romans' plans for the city |
April 7, 2018 |
| 2 |
Viking York Alice tells the story of Viking England by studying the history of York, Britain's most Viking city. She takes part in a Viking battle, meets the metal detectorists behind one of the UK's greatest archaeological finds and gets her hands on an almost 1000-year-old Viking poo. |
April 14, 2018 |
| 3 |
Norman Winchester Alice tells the story of Norman England by studying the history of Winchester, Britain's most Norman city. Alice attempts to storm a castle in chain mail, investigates the origins of modern surgery and tucks into an appetising eel pie. |
April 21, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wartime Dover Professor Alice Roberts examines Britain in wartime by looking at the coastal town of Dover |
May 18, 2019 |
| 2 |
Georgian Bristol Alice explores the Georgian era in Bristol, from Clifton's architectural gems to the world's first chocolate factory, backstreet gin and the horror of the slave trade |
May 25, 2019 |
| 3 |
Edwardian Cardiff Alice tells the story of Edwardian Britain by visiting Cardiff. She explores the coal trade and Cardiff's pioneering multicultural heritage, and experiences the life of a lady of leisure. |
June 1, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Medieval Lincoln Alice is in Lincoln, getting to grips with life in medieval England. She visits the magnificent cathedral that was once the tallest building in the world and re-lives the battle at Lincoln Castle. |
November 7, 2020 |
| 2 |
Restoration London Alice is in London, as she attempts to make sense of the world-changing events during the short but eventful Restoration period. She learns the violent and vengeful truth behind Charles II's carefully crafted public image. |
November 14, 2020 |
| 3 |
Naval Portsmouth Alice explores Nelson's dark side, the heat of the battle at Trafalgar, the role of the Navy in the British Empire, and the lives of Portsmouth's sex workers. |
November 21, 2020 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 7, 2018 |
| Last aired | December 19, 2020 |
| Runtime | 45 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Saturday at 20:00:00 |