Four of our iconic cathedrals are set to feature in a new Channel 4 documentary series, Britain’s Most Historic Towns. The new series sees anthropologist and academic, Professor Alice Roberts uncover the secrets of Britain’s rich and dramatic past by telling the story of a single historic town.
The six-part series begins this Saturday (7 April) on Channel 4 at 8pm with an exploration of Roman Chester, telling the story of Roman Britain by studying the history of Chester, and features Chester Cathedral.
Britain’s Most Historic Towns uncovers the extraordinary history underpinning well-known towns. In each of the six episodes, Professor Roberts visits historic sites and meets local historians to understand how each town was shaped by the dominant forces of the age, and explores how people might have lived in each period.
Cutting-edge CGI brings long-lost monuments back to life while aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson takes to the skies to see how the layout of each town reflects a historical era to this day. At the climax of each programme, CGI reveals the entire historic town in all its former glory.
Saturdays Channel 4 at 8pm.
Roman Chester
7th April – In Britain’s most Roman city, we make an extraordinary archaeological find deep underground and explore a radical theory on the Romans’ plans for the city. Find out more about Chester Cathedral >
Viking York
14th April – York is home to a thriving Viking heavy metal scene, where traditional rock-n-roll lyrics are replaced with Viking sagas in old Norse. Find out more about York Minster >
Norman Winchester
21st April – During Anglo Saxon times, Winchester had been the royal capital of England. Find out more about Winchester Cathedral >
Tudor Norwich
28th April – In Tudor times Norwich, the second biggest city at the time, was famed for the ‘Madder Red’ dye that was a popular colour for the clothing of everyday folk. One vital ingredient in the production of the dye was human urine that was collected from giant buckets positioned outside the pubs of the city. Find out more about Norwich Cathedral >
The series continues in May with Regency Cheltenham on 5th May and Victorian Belfast on 12th May.
If you miss an episode, you’ll be able to watch it on Channel 4 catch up by clicking here.
