About this season
Remarkable feats of British engineering require remarkable levels of maintenance and repairs to keep them in their grandiose state. With incredible levels of access to some key restoration and maintenance projects on some of Britain's most well-known buildings and structures, this series shows the detailed knowledge, craftsmanship and engineering ingenuity that is necessary to keep these important British monuments standing.
Episodes (6)
1. Canterbury Cathedral
Aired 22 November 2021 • 45 min
It can be claimed that Canterbury Cathedral is as old as England itself. But the cathedral is now showing its age. Massive chunks of stone are falling from the weather- worn windows of the towers, and the great timbers holding up its iconic Christchurch Gate have literally been eaten away. With unprecedented access, this documentary follows a dedicated team of craftspeople as they work to complete a 5-year, £25million project to restore the cathedral to its former glory.
2. Edinburgh North Bridge
Aired 29 November 2021 • 45 min
The team build a Protection Deck; more than 300km of scaffolding cover the whole bridge, encasing it in an exoskeleton of constantly changing steel.
3. Royal Albert Hall
Aired 6 December 2021 • 45 min
The historic Royal Albert Hall is in need of urgent repairs. A specialist team is required to restore the building to the highest order before its grand reopening.
4. Southend Pier
Aired 13 December 2021 • 45 min
Salt water and iron don't mix and Southend Pier, built back in 1888, has seen better days. Now a team of specialists are working hard to prevent it falling into the sea.
5. Manchester Town Hall
Aired 20 December 2021 • 45 min
After 14 decades centre stage the Manchester Town Hall is in urgent need of repair. Now a dedicated team are working hard to do this Architectural giant justice.
6. London Sewers
Aired 27 December 2021 • 45 min
The Victorian London sewer system is getting a 21st century upgrade. Machines bore a network of tunnels linking Bazalgette's old sewer network to the Tideway Super-Sewer.