BBC four

Michael Portillo crosses the county line from Devon into Somerset on his rail exploration of the West Country steered by his 1930s Bradshaw's guide. He sees first-hand how willow farmers sought to overcome the challenge from the production of synthetic plastics during the 1930s. He hears how tourism for all budgets spread across the region, especially amongst the young, for whom youth hostels spra

Archaeologist Ben Robinson unlocks the ancient roots of the Northumberland village of Warkworth. With the help of locals, he discovers clues that point back almost 1,000 years to the Norman conquest when the invaders laid the foundations of a planned community, still visible to this day.

Explorer Paul Rose reveals the real story behind the first ever circumnavigation of the world. Ferdinand Magellan set out 500 years ago to find the westward route to the riches of the Spice Islands. But, contrary to popular perception, he never reached them. Rose explains the dramatic sequence of events that led his scurvy-riddled crew to continue around the world without him. The incredible exped

On 16 June 1971, Michael Parkinson walked down those famous stairs for the first time and introduced the first ever Parkinson show. The guests were celebrity snapper Ray Bellasario and comedy actor Terry-Thomas. Seen as a temporary ten-week filler programme, it went on to record over 650 episodes featuring interviews with over 2,000 guests and was voted by the BFI one of the top ten UK television

First transmitted in 1974. Michael Parkinson's guest is Dr Jacob Bronowski, the presenter and writer of the 1973 documentary series The Ascent of Man. Dr Bronowski shares his first impressions on arriving in England in the 1920s, his memories of filming at Auschwitz, his thoughts on science and his broader philosophy of life in a truly compelling interview.

Michael Parkinson with Billy Connolly, Anna Raeburn, Rod Hull & Emu and Frank Evans.

Michael Parkinson is joined by David and Victoria Beckham, George Best and Elton John.

Between the charity shop and Rose's love life, Hyacinth is at her wits' end.

Ria's visit to a keep fit class leads to a chance meeting with Leonard.

Explorer Paul Rose reveals the real story behind the first ever circumnavigation of the world. Ferdinand Magellan set out 500 years ago to find the westward route to the riches of the Spice Islands. But, contrary to popular perception, he never reached them. Rose explains the dramatic sequence of events that led his scurvy-riddled crew to continue around the world without him. The incredible exped

Michael Portillo crosses the county line from Devon into Somerset on his rail exploration of the West Country steered by his 1930s Bradshaw's guide. He sees first-hand how willow farmers sought to overcome the challenge from the production of synthetic plastics during the 1930s. He hears how tourism for all budgets spread across the region, especially amongst the young, for whom youth hostels spra

It's one of the biggest festivals in Europe, a celebration of Welsh culture and a natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and so much more. Huw Stephens heads to Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd to bring all the best performances from the different stages at this diverse festival – from soloists to choirs, folk bands, brass bands, rap, reggae and rock bands

Sir Antonio Pappano's first Prom as chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra brings Britten's War Requiem, an emblem of hope after mass destruction, to the Royal Albert Hall. They are joined by soloists Natalya Romaniw, Allan Clayton and Will Liverman with the London Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Chorus and Tiffin' Boy's Choir, who perform the haunting child choral section. Petroc Trelawny

Filmed over 12 months, with unprecedented access, this landmark film follows the English National Opera as they pursue the challenge of staging Benjamin Britten's War Requiem. One of the greatest British choral works of the 20th century, War Requiem is seen by many as a true masterpiece. The ENO are the first company to transform the work into a dramatised performance. Artistic director Daniel Kra

Documentary exploring the dynamic relationship that developed between British composer Benjamin Britten and the BBC as they worked together to broadcast modern classical music further and wider. Through this collaboration, Britten's music reached television audiences, from elaborately staged studio operas, intimate duets featuring his partner Peter Pears, to the massive Proms performance of his Wa

Stewart Copeland explores the power music has to bring people together and to bond them in ways that are fundamental to our evolution and existence. His travels take him from the southern German cave where a 40,000-year-old bone flute was discovered to the modern-day mass singalong of New York's Choir! Choir! Choir! Along the way he gets to play with a Memphis marching band, join a song circle led

Alastair Sooke reveals the astonishing range of our medieval sculpture, from the imposing masterpieces of our Gothic cathedrals to the playful misericords underneath church stalls. He shows how the sculpture of the era casts a new light on medieval Britain, a far more sophisticated, fun-loving and maverick place than we in the modern world commonly believe. But despite the technical and emotional

Filmed over 12 months, with unprecedented access, this landmark film follows the English National Opera as they pursue the challenge of staging Benjamin Britten's War Requiem. One of the greatest British choral works of the 20th century, War Requiem is seen by many as a true masterpiece. The ENO are the first company to transform the work into a dramatised performance. Artistic director Daniel Kra

Documentary exploring the dynamic relationship that developed between British composer Benjamin Britten and the BBC as they worked together to broadcast modern classical music further and wider. Through this collaboration, Britten's music reached television audiences, from elaborately staged studio operas, intimate duets featuring his partner Peter Pears, to the massive Proms performance of his Wa

Fred Dibnah traces the development of steam power from the earliest experiments in the ancient world to the modern nuclear power station. Fred visits Cornwall to look at the early history of the steam engine, first developed to pump water from tin mines. Moderation: Fred Dibnah.

Gareth and Maureen Edwards head to St Davids, a place which holds half a lifetime of special memories for them. After making 53 appearances for Wales, Gareth retired from rugby in 1978. After years in the public eye, he and Maureen booked a holiday in St Davids for them and their young boys. The holiday was such a hit, they returned every summer for more than 40 years. Gareth and Maureen begin wit

Waldemar Januszczak continues his investigation of the Impressionists by taking us outdoors to their most famous locations. Although Impressionist pictures often look sunny and relaxed, achieving this peaceful air was hard work. Trudging through fog, wind and rain, across treacherous coastal rocks and knee-deep snow, Waldemar shows how the famous spontaneity of the Impressionists is thoroughly mis

Robert Robinson presides over a duel of words and wit between two teams of celebrities.

Customers and connoisseurs explore the world of antiques with Max Robertson.

In the first programme her provocative two-part essay, classicist and broadcaster Mary Beard takes on the nude. As she says "There are an awful lot of naked bodies in western art, and they are often causing trouble even now." From the ancient Greeks to the taboo-busting painters and sculptors of today, Mary gives a deeply personal take on naked bodies in art. Just why are artists so interested in

Britain's art nouveau heritage is excavated as cultural correspondent Stephen Smith unearths the bright, controversial but brief career of Aubrey Beardsley. On a mission to uncover lesser-known stars of Britain's version of this continental fin-de-siecle style, he explores the stunning work of Mary Watts and the massive influence of department store entrepreneur Arthur Liberty. In Scotland, he cel

By the middle of the 18th century, Britain was in possession of a vast empire. It required a new way of seeing ourselves and so we turned to the statues of ancient Greece and Rome to project the secular power and glory of the British Empire. The message was clear: Britain was the new Rome, our generals and politicians on a par with the heroes of the ancient world. The flood of funds, both public a