Britain's Most Historic Towns

20183 seriesEntertainment / Factual
Available on
Sky History

In this unique take on British history, Professor Alice Roberts explores Britain's rich and varied past through the stories of individual towns. In each programme Alice studies key periods in British history by delving into the secrets of historic towns. Alice combines the bigger national picture with local detail to give an accurate impression of what life was really like at key moments in Britain's turbulent past. Alice visits historic sites and meets local historians to understand how each town was shaped by the dominant forces of the age.

Roman Chester: Episode Image
Episode 1Roman Chester

Alice tells the story of Roman Britain by studying the history of Chester. She enjoys an authentic Roman feast and checks out an archaeological discovery. (1 of 6)

Viking York: Episode Image
Episode 2Viking York

Alice looks into the history of York, taking part in a Viking battle and examining an almost 1,000-year-old poo. (2 of 6)

Norman Winchester: Episode Image
Episode 3Norman Winchester

Alice tries some eel pie and investigates the origins of modern surgery as she explores the Norman period of British history by examining the town of Winchester. (3 of 6)

Tudor Norwich: Episode Image
Episode 4Tudor Norwich

Alice experiences humiliating Tudor justice as she dives into the story of Tudor England by studying the history of Norwich. (4 of 6)

Regency Cheltenham: Episode Image
Episode 5Regency Cheltenham

Alice studies the history of Cheltenham, Britain's most Regency town. She attends a period society ball, investigates the rigid social hierarchy and more. (5 of 6)

Victorian Belfast: Episode Image
Episode 6Victorian Belfast

Alice reveals the history of Belfast, the UK's most Victorian city. She visits the shipyards that built the Titanic and gets locked up in the Crumlin Road gaol. (6 of 6)

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