Britain's Most Historic Towns

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.

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Episodes

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

45 min

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.

45 min

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.

45 min

Tudor Norwich

Alice learns the harsh reality of religious intolerance, uncovers the origins of Norwich City FC's iconic canary, and experiences humiliating Tudor justice

45 min

Regency Cheltenham

In Cheltenham, Britain's most Regency town, Alice attends a period society ball, investigates the rigid social hierarchy of the age and explores the Regency fondness for enemas

45 min

Victorian Belfast

Alice reveals the history of Belfast, the UK's most Victorian city. She visits the shipyards that built the Titanic, gets locked up in the notorious Crumlin Road gaol and takes a crash course in 19th-century female etiquette.

45 min