BBC four

Documentary series that combines biography, art and the history of fashion as host Amber Butchart, a fashion historian, explores the lives of historical figures – Marie Antoinette, Charles II, Dido Belle, Edward the Black and others, by examining the clothes that they wore. Amber looks into the history of the garments and the people depicted, visiting collections and speaking with experts. Alongsi

The famous competition was established by Humphrey Burton, Walter Todds and Roy Tippin in 1978, and invites talented British musicians under the age of 18 years old to showcase their abilities. Performers of keyboard, percussion, brass, string and woodwind can enter the iconic classical competition, with five stages for them to advance through; regional auditions, category auditions, category fina

The Bayeux Tapestry is a remarkable and unique work of art that has survived for almost 1,000 years. Made in the 11th century, it tells the story of William of Normandy's claim to the English throne, culminating in the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings. Surprisingly for an object of its size, the Bayeux Tapestry is not mentioned in any contemporary records. So where does it com

Playwright and artistic director of London's Young Vic theatre Kwame Kwei-Armah shares some of the influences that have had a significant impact on his work. Kwei-Armah pursued careers in music and acting, playing paramedic Finlay Newton in BBC One's Casualty, before finding success at a writer. His award-winning plays include Elmina's Kitchen and Statement of Regret, both staged at the National T

Documentary series that combines biography, art and the history of fashion as host Amber Butchart, a fashion historian, explores the lives of historical figures – Marie Antoinette, Charles II, Dido Belle, Edward the Black and others, by examining the clothes that they wore. Amber looks into the history of the garments and the people depicted, visiting collections and speaking with experts. Alongsi

The Bayeux Tapestry is a remarkable and unique work of art that has survived for almost 1,000 years. Made in the 11th century, it tells the story of William of Normandy's claim to the English throne, culminating in the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings. Surprisingly for an object of its size, the Bayeux Tapestry is not mentioned in any contemporary records. So where does it com

Andrew Scott narrates a special programme which celebrates winter and explores how animals and plants rise to the challenges it brings. With their world encased in snow and ice, animals must find the most inventive ways to survive and even benefit from the cold. Caribou become ice road travellers as it gets slippery underfoot, stoats make their own fur bedding, and snow monkeys find a warm bath. E

Art historian and critic Andrew Graham-Dixon opens this series with the dramatic story of French art, a story of the most powerful kings ever to rule in Europe with their glittering palaces and astounding art to go in them. He also reveals how art emerged from a struggle between tradition and revolution, between rulers and a people who didn't always want to be ruled. Starting with the first great

Anita Brookner, art historian, TV presenter and author of the Booker Prize-winning Hotel du Lac, added to her accomplishments in the 1980s by sharing with television audiences her understanding and appreciation for some of the finest works by the world's greatest ever painters. In this collection, Anita's contributions to the BBC's 1981 series 100 Great Paintings are brought together in one place

Leonardo da Vinci grows up in a Tuscan village surrounded by nature, then he moves to Florence, where the Renaissance is in full bloom, to apprentice as an artist and craftsman. He shows extraordinary talent but at times struggles to finish commissions. Later, in Milan, he joins Duke Sforza's court, begins writing treatises and paints a monumental fresco depicting the Last Supper. A film by Ken Bu

Richard Miles explores the power and the paradox of the "Greek Thing" – a blossoming in art, philosophy and science that went hand in hand with political discord, social injustice and endless war. He paints a fascinating picture of the internal and external pressures that fuelled this unique political and social experiment, one that would pioneer many of the political systems that we still live wi

Andrew Scott narrates a special programme which celebrates winter and explores how animals and plants rise to the challenges it brings. With their world encased in snow and ice, animals must find the most inventive ways to survive and even benefit from the cold. Caribou become ice road travellers as it gets slippery underfoot, stoats make their own fur bedding, and snow monkeys find a warm bath. E

The Art of France is a documentary miniseries in which art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon takes us on a visual journey through the history of French art and culture. Starting his story in St Denis, the first example of gothic architecture, and finishing it with the birth of modernism, he gives in depth information about the big role art always had for this nation, referencing the philosophy, litera

Evolutionary Biologist and master skeleton builder Ben Garrod begins a six part journey to discover how bones have enabled vertebrates to colonise and dominate practically every habitat on Earth. In this episode, Ben shows us what bone is constructed from and how it can support animals that are both minuscule – a frog just a few millimetres long – and massive – the Blue Whale, two hundred million

British sitcom set in Bayview Retirement Home, and revolving around the lives of two its residents; Diana and Tom. They might be in their twilight years but that doesn't mean that they can't create all kinds of mischief – much to the chagrin of their families and the staff at Bayview. Diana is fiercely independent and cynical, whereas Tom is cheerful and optimistic but together they make a great t

A gentle sitcom set in the fictional village of Grantleigh, and the aristocratic family seat of the fforbes-Hamilitons. The widow of the deceased Lord of the Manor is Audrey, who inherits the Grantleigh Manor, which has been in her family for hundreds of years. But her husband's debts have left the estate bankrupt and Audrey has no option but to sell up. The new Lord of the Manor is Richard DeVere

The story revolves around Hyacinth Bucket, a housewife from a lower class whose only aim in life is to impress others with her etiquette and social skills and climb the social ladder. She is terrified that her background will be revealed one day, and goes above and beyond to hide it. She insists her inharmonious surname is pronounced Bouquet. All her attempts as a rule lead to awkward comic situat

Thomas Cromwell has gone down in history as one of the most corrupt and manipulative ruffians ever to hold power in England. A chief minister who used his position to smash the Roman Catholic church in England and loot the monasteries for his own gain. A man who used torture to bring about the execution of the woman who had once been his friend and supporter – Anne Boleyn. Diarmaid MacCulloch, pro

Evolutionary Biologist and master skeleton builder Ben Garrod begins a six part journey to discover how bones have enabled vertebrates to colonise and dominate practically every habitat on Earth. In this episode, Ben shows us what bone is constructed from and how it can support animals that are both minuscule – a frog just a few millimetres long – and massive – the Blue Whale, two hundred million

Anita Brookner, art historian, TV presenter and author of the Booker Prize-winning Hotel du Lac, added to her accomplishments in the 1980s by sharing with television audiences her understanding and appreciation for some of the finest works by the world's greatest ever painters. In this collection, Anita's contributions to the BBC's 1981 series 100 Great Paintings are brought together in one place

Evolutionary biologist and master skeleton builder Ben Garrod discovers how the skeleton has adapted for vertebrates to move on land in a remarkable number of ways. They can swing through the trees, slide on the forest floor, dig through dark subterranean worlds and run at speed across the savannahs. Ben explores the role of the spine in both cheetahs and snakes, shows how adaptations to the penta

Sea adventurers Timothy Spall and his wife Shane take their barge to three different countries and the Isle of Man. From Whitehaven, where Tim learns about the pirate John Paul Jones, they steam over to Douglas to visit Tim's son, actor Rafe Spall, who is there to work on BBC Two's The Shadow Line. Next, they visit a city Tim loves dearly, Belfast, and a special pub he says is 'the finest drinking

This programme explores the way our experiences shape our minds and bodies as we make the journey from the most helpless to the most sophisticated organism on earth. Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tullekan uncover how we develop new skills – whether riding a bike or learning to walk. They reveal the unexpected link between our heartbeat and our ability to talk. And they show, for the very first time, ho

Play for Today is a British anthology series that originally aired from 1970 to 1984. Featuring a number of original television plays and adaptations of stage plays and novels, the series produced more than three hundred episodes of high-quality drama. During its run, the show received numerous awards and nominations for superb writing and exemplary performances from the starring cast. Notable act

Alice Roberts embarks on a personal quest to discover what lies behind the new-found passion for wild swimming that is sweeping Britain. She follows in the wake of "Waterlog.