BBC four

As Hetty Wainthropp (Patricia Routledge) reaches retirement age at 60 and faces an uncertain future financially, she decides that the life of a pensioner is not for her and opens a detective agency instead. Armed only with her no-nonsense Lancashire attitude and her notebook, she embarks on a series of criminal investigations. Aided by her teenage sidekick and reformed thief, Geoffrey, and her dev

An unrivalled talk-show host, Michael Parkinson was the voice of British conversational television for almost 40 years, inviting famous people from business, politics, sports and entertainment to discuss their lives and careers. In this series, Michael remembers some of his most entertaining and memorable guests from the 1970s and 1980s. Guests include Richard Burton, Orson Welles, Kenneth William

A great maritime mystery lies deep beneath the waters of the Channel Islands. On the morning of 19 February 1917, German submarine UC-18 opened fire on Royal Navy Q-ship the Lady Olive. As the U-boat drew near to assess the damage it had inflicted, the Lady Olive counter-attacked. Both vessels were said to have sunk. For decades, divers and historians have searched to discover their fate and under

The pub has been the mainstay of British society since medieval times, a cornerstone of any community playing a unique role in national life. But in the past 50 years the pub has undergone massive change. This programme examines the core values of this definitively British institution and questions its survival. With contributions from Jeremy Hardy, Rowan Pelling and Pete Brown. Narrated by Arthur

As Hetty Wainthropp (Patricia Routledge) reaches retirement age at 60 and faces an uncertain future financially, she decides that the life of a pensioner is not for her and opens a detective agency instead. Armed only with her no-nonsense Lancashire attitude and her notebook, she embarks on a series of criminal investigations. Aided by her teenage sidekick and reformed thief, Geoffrey, and her dev

For the wildlife and people who live amongst the epic scenery of the Lake District, life is one of continuous change. Cutting-edge camera techniques give a new and unique perspective on a turbulent year in the life of England's largest national park. Time-lapse photography shows months and weeks passing in seconds – snow and ice giving way to sunshine or the frequent rain showers – whilst the anim

Capturing the beauty of the English Lake District, a documentary which traces the life of writer and artist Alfred Wainwright, the eccentric Lancastrian who created a series of iconic fell-walking books which he hand-wrote, illustrated and published himself in the 1950s. Celebrating the centenary of his birth, the film captures his passionate love affair with the Lakeland landscape and explores ho

Ludwig II of Bavaria, more commonly known by his nicknames the Swan King or the Dream King, is a legendary figure – the handsome boy-king, loved by his people, betrayed by his cabinet and found dead in tragic and mysterious circumstances. He spent his life in pursuit of the ideal of beauty, which found expression in three of the most extraordinary, ornate architectural schemes imaginable – the cas

Marking the thirtieth birthday, in 2019, of Bangarra Dance Theatre – an Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander organisation, and one of Australia's leading performing arts companies – Firestarter takes audiences on a tour of Bangarra's birth and spectacular growth. It presents its founders and tells the story of how three young Indigenous Australian brothers – Stephen, David and Russell

Documentary featuring pioneering images that capture China's most beautiful landscapes and their inhabitants. The fairytale hills of Guilin and the cormorant fishermen of the Li River form the heart of this exploration of the colourful rice-growing cultures and strange creatures of southern China – a land of endless hills, mysterious caverns, spectacular rock pinnacles and traditional cultures wit

Since the revolution brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power in Iran in 1979, the country has been synonymous with radical Islam. Western documentary makers are rarely granted access, but journalist Samira Ahmed has been given an exceptional opportunity to discover the country's multifaceted culture and extraordinary history. In this episode, she travels to places that reveal how the Persian Empire ca

Who are you, Martin Parr? Since the 1970s, Martin Parr has fearlessly held out his unique photographic mirror and given us some of the most extraordinary and unique visual clichés of modern times. We follow this tireless adventurer on a road trip, his camera trigger finger always at the ready to capture the smallest details of everyday life. Sometimes serious, often absurd but always playful, his

Ludwig II of Bavaria, more commonly known by his nicknames the Swan King or the Dream King, is a legendary figure – the handsome boy-king, loved by his people, betrayed by his cabinet and found dead in tragic and mysterious circumstances. He spent his life in pursuit of the ideal of beauty, which found expression in three of the most extraordinary, ornate architectural schemes imaginable – the cas

Who are you, Martin Parr? Since the 1970s, Martin Parr has fearlessly held out his unique photographic mirror and given us some of the most extraordinary and unique visual clichés of modern times. We follow this tireless adventurer on a road trip, his camera trigger finger always at the ready to capture the smallest details of everyday life. Sometimes serious, often absurd but always playful, his

Since the revolution brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power in Iran in 1979, the country has been synonymous with radical Islam. Western documentary makers are rarely granted access, but journalist Samira Ahmed has been given an exceptional opportunity to discover the country's multifaceted culture and extraordinary history. In this episode, she travels to places that reveal how the Persian Empire ca

Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth. He's a 'boomer', born in the decade after the end of the Second World War, and he recalls the optimism and excitement of rebuilding a nation exhausted by conflict. He relives the agony and the ecstasy of British Rail and marvels at the new society and culture that emerged in post war Britain. At Preston's Fulwood Barracks in Lancash

Julia Bradbury presents a series of classic walks and climbs in the Lake District. Armed with Wainwright's famous Pictorial Guides, Julia is setting out on some of the biggest and most popular fell walks in the country. Through sunshine and rain, Julia explores the stunning landscape that inspired the late Alfred Wainwright to produce his beautifully crafted guide books. Nobody can call themselves

With Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Anthony Carrick, Dennis Lill, Jeffry Wickham. Sitcom about the premiership of Jim Hacker, one-time government minister now elevated to Number 10. When Hacker's predecessor decides to publish his memoirs, Jim tries to suppress a chapter in which he appears in an unfavourable light. The chapter is then leaked to the press, along with the informatio

Elevated to the highest governmental office in unusual circumstances, the Rt Hon James Hacker MP sets about implementing his dream of reshaping Britain, introducing a host of exciting reforms, reinvigorating the economy and cementing his place in political history as a bold public benefactor and inspiring leader. Nothing less than a root and branch upheaval of the stuffy Whitehall machinery will d

Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth. He's a 'boomer', born in the decade after the end of the Second World War, and he recalls the optimism and excitement of rebuilding a nation exhausted by conflict. He relives the agony and the ecstasy of British Rail and marvels at the new society and culture that emerged in post war Britain. At Preston's Fulwood Barracks in Lancash

Julia Bradbury presents a series of classic walks and climbs in the Lake District. Armed with Wainwright's famous Pictorial Guides, Julia is setting out on some of the biggest and most popular fell walks in the country. Through sunshine and rain, Julia explores the stunning landscape that inspired the late Alfred Wainwright to produce his beautifully crafted guide books. Nobody can call themselves

Documentary featuring pioneering images that capture China's most beautiful landscapes and their inhabitants. The fairytale hills of Guilin and the cormorant fishermen of the Li River form the heart of this exploration of the colourful rice-growing cultures and strange creatures of southern China – a land of endless hills, mysterious caverns, spectacular rock pinnacles and traditional cultures wit

Michael Portillo's railway journey through north west England from Preston to Hebden Bridge reaches Greater Manchester, where Michael celebrates new beginnings for the nation in the years after the Second World War. At Trafford General Hospital, he investigates the birth of the National Health Service. William Roache, star of the nation's longest-running soap, Coronation Street, meets Michael to t

Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of the great British fell walker and author, Alfred Wainwright. The beautiful outline of Catbells is familiar to all who visit Derwent Water and the Lakeland town of Keswick. By boat and by foot, Julia sets out to discover the secrets of a classic fell climb for all the family. The famous views are rich in history; where visitors walk today, miners

Professor Bruce Denardo attempts to prove whether there is any truth behind the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, where many ships and planes have disappeared in mysterious circumstances. New investigation techniques reveal the truth behind the infamous disappearance of Flight 19. Graham Hawkes is also able to reveal, by using a state-of-the-art submarine, how five wrecks mysteriously wound up 730 f

Fiona Bruce traces the story of one of history's great royal love affairs: the love between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It was a love based on a powerful physical attraction, and it grew into a marriage that set the tone for the Victorian age. Over the 20 years they spent together, until Albert's tragic death, they gave each other a dazzling collection of paintings, sculptures and jewellery.

In the first episode of a series that explores the books we (really) read, Andrew Marr investigates the curious case of detective fiction. This is a genre that been producing best-sellers since the 19th century, and whose most famous heroes – Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Inspector Rebus – are now embedded in our collective psyche. But how does detective fiction work- and how do the best crime

Michael Portillo's railway journey through north west England from Preston to Hebden Bridge reaches Greater Manchester, where Michael celebrates new beginnings for the nation in the years after the Second World War. At Trafford General Hospital, he investigates the birth of the National Health Service. William Roache, star of the nation's longest-running soap, Coronation Street, meets Michael to t

Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of the great British fell walker and author, Alfred Wainwright. The beautiful outline of Catbells is familiar to all who visit Derwent Water and the Lakeland town of Keswick. By boat and by foot, Julia sets out to discover the secrets of a classic fell climb for all the family. The famous views are rich in history; where visitors walk today, miners

Capturing the beauty of the English Lake District, a documentary which traces the life of writer and artist Alfred Wainwright, the eccentric Lancastrian who created a series of iconic fell-walking books which he hand-wrote, illustrated and published himself in the 1950s. Celebrating the centenary of his birth, the film captures his passionate love affair with the Lakeland landscape and explores ho

Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram delivers Michael to the former cotton town of Oldham on the edge of the Peak District. In the stalls of the Oldham Coliseum, the town's Victorian repertory theatre, Michael hears how the lifting of censorshop allowed theatres to stage risqué productions from playwrights such as Tennessee Williams. Michael takes the Hope Valley Line to Edale in the Peak District

Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the stunning Lake District landscape that inspired the great British fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright to produce his beautifully crafted guidebooks. Julia faces a new physical challenge as she experiences the world of Wainwright – not one summit, but two. The Lake District's most famous walker loved to explore routes that link fell tops together, and