2024-07-16
Explorer Paul Rose swaps Antarctica and the world's deepest oceans for the Pennine Way – Britain's first national trail, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. At 268 miles long, the Pennine Way stretches from the Peak District in Derbyshire to the Scottish Borders. Paul discovers how much has changed along the route in the last half-century – and finds out how the Pennine Way owes its exi
Julia Bradbury has her backpack on to explore the great outdoors. Julia's walks follow the old tracks, overgrown cuttings and ancient viaducts of Britain's lost rail empire, visiting disused lines across England, Scotland and Wales. Through stunning landscapes and urban backstreets, each contrasting walk has a unique story to tell, offering Julia a window into industrial Britain and how the rise a
Alice Roberts follows the excavation of Iron Age Britain's most spectacular grave. A team of archaeologists in East Yorkshire have uncovered the remains of only the third upright chariot burial ever found in Britain, and the only chariot burial ever found in this country with the chariot harnessed to two standing ponies. This sensational find is the lead dig for the Digging for Britain Iron Age sp
Operation Stonehenge follows a group of international archaeologists, led by the University of Birmingham and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute in Vienna and supported by new research from English Heritage. Part two of this mini-series turns its focus to the construction, design and enduring significance of the iconic stone circle itself and the ancient civilisation that flourished around it. Solving
Neil Oliver investigates the discovery of a 5,000-year-old temple in Orkney. Built 500 years before Stonehenge, the temple has triggered new thoughts about the beliefs of Neolithic people, turning the map of ancient Britain upside down. The vast site lies undisturbed until now, set within one of the most important ancient landscapes in the world. There have been some incredible finds, including th
The emergence of ingenious and dogged fact-based research, data mapping and analysis has made tremendous improvements in public health. Before a vaccine or an effective treatment can come into play, data is the first line of defence against a new pandemic. Epidemiologist William Farr identified the importance of medical statistics in the 19th century when he began studying cholera mortality report
This episode considers how, during a health crisis, the readiness of communities to engage with – and act upon – advice can have a significant impact on the spread of disease. The simple act of handwashing to preserve hygiene, which began in a Viennese maternity ward and was also advocated by Florence Nightingale, saved millions of lives. Social distancing, face masks and lockdowns were used to co
Explorer Paul Rose swaps Antarctica and the world's deepest oceans for the Pennine Way – Britain's first national trail, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. At 268 miles long, the Pennine Way stretches from the Peak District in Derbyshire to the Scottish Borders. Paul discovers how much has changed along the route in the last half-century – and finds out how the Pennine Way owes its exi
Julia Bradbury has her backpack on to explore the great outdoors. Julia's walks follow the old tracks, overgrown cuttings and ancient viaducts of Britain's lost rail empire, visiting disused lines across England, Scotland and Wales. Through stunning landscapes and urban backstreets, each contrasting walk has a unique story to tell, offering Julia a window into industrial Britain and how the rise a
Fiona Bruce and the team set up camp outside the iconic Parliament Buildings in Belfast, home to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Items featured include the walking stick of Lord Haw-Haw, the traitor executed for helping the Nazis during the Second World War, while John Baddeley takes a look at some diving gear associated with the Titanic. Can Fiona determine the changing fortunes of three books fro
Alice Roberts follows the excavation of Iron Age Britain's most spectacular grave. A team of archaeologists in East Yorkshire have uncovered the remains of only the third upright chariot burial ever found in Britain, and the only chariot burial ever found in this country with the chariot harnessed to two standing ponies. This sensational find is the lead dig for the Digging for Britain Iron Age sp