2005

S9.E1 ∙ The Channel

Mon, Jul 14, 2014

On the French channel coast Nick Crane explores life on the incredible outcrop of Mont St Michel, home to monks living an elevated ecclesiastical life high in a hilltop monastery that attracts a million tourists a year. Nick also investigates the network of remarkable seaforts that kept the port of St Malo safe from raids by the Royal Navy. Mark Horton reveals how two centuries ago when the French mapped the exact distance across the Channel it led to the birth of Britain's Ordnance Survey and the maps we use today. Miranda Krestovnikoff is on patrol with the Royal Navy who police the fishing boats which compete in the Channel.

8.3 /10

S9.E2 ∙ Secret Paths to Hidden Treasure

Mon, Jul 21, 2014

Britain's last great wilderness, the stunning Cape Wrath, is the stomping ground for Nick Crane who discovers where wolves once trod and a hermit made his home. Ruth Goodman learns about the bizarre Victorian craze that drove women to extraordinary lengths collecting ferns on the perilous sea cliffs of Devon. Gem stone hunter Adam McIntosh finds an underwater path off the isle of Iona that leads to rare and beautiful 'Green Marble'. To learn the scientific secrets of fear used to design Blackpool's 'Big One' roller-coaster, Helen Arney rides this steel track of terror. Mark Horton reveals a coastal walk that takes in the whole history of Britain in just ten miles, on the little island of Lundy.

8.6 /10

S9.E3 ∙ The Explorer's Coast

Mon, Jul 28, 2014

The team discovers untold tales of Explorers around our shores, and far beyond, going down-under to Australia. In Cornwall Nick Crane takes to the water in a recreation of Britain's oldest known boat, a remarkable paddle-powered design from the Bronze Age. Nick goes on to tell the story of the fabled Explorer 'Pytheas The Greek' who first mapped our isles. He also follows the most remarkable artistic exploration of Britain's coast that produced hundreds of stunning full-colour illustrations in the age before photography. Mark Horton reveals how a man born on a tiny Scottish Isle went onto found the country of Australia two centuries ago. Tessa Dunlop investigates the Pilgrims' Fathers' hidden history. Why did the Pilgrims go to live in Holland for ten years before they founded modern America? Andy Torbet joins modern day scientific Explorers trying to count how many fish there are in our seas.

7.8 /10

S9.E4 ∙ Offshore!

Mon, Aug 04, 2014

Nick Crane journeys over the Atlantic to 'New Scotland', Novia Scotia, in Canada. Why did Scottish settlers flood offshore to Canada two hundred years ago, and how well did they succeed? Nick also discovers the rusting remains of the remarkable Transatlantic Telegraphic Cable, at the Canadian Cable station where he hears about the gossip Marilyn Monroe sent over the wires to our shores. Tessa Dunlop reveals the remarkable story of how in the Falkland's War the message to sink the cruiser 'General Belgrano' was sent 8000 mile to a submarine deep underwater. Miranda Krestovnikoff is seeking Britain's oldest Puffin to discover how seabirds manage to live up to 50 years old offshore. Nick Hewitt uncovers the history of the lurking leviathan that guards the entrance to the Solent, the Nab Tower.

8.2 /10

S9.E5 ∙ Sea and the City

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Nick must master the controls of a massive crane as he lifts the lid on the frantic activity at the Mega-Port of Immingham. Built a century ago to export coal, now they import the fuel that keeps our lights burning. Tessa Dunlop uncovers an astonishing top-secret story of how Hitler's bombers could have flooded London and possibly won the war. Ruth Goodman investigates how one fearless Victorian woman took on the Government to prevent prostitutes being thrown into 'Lock Hospitals', a tale of the clandestine sex trade that scandalized Victorian Britain. Mark Horton reveals how Greenwich became the centre of global sea navigation, examining the competing madcap schemes to determine a ship's position at sea that were proposed by the world's best brains in the 18th century.

8.3 /10

S9.E6 ∙ Winter

Mon, Aug 18, 2014

What becomes of our Coast in winter, its 'secret season', when we're at home? Nick Crane visits the storm capital of our shores, Cornwall, where he explores the worst lifeboat disaster of the last 60 years. Nick also discovers how wild winter seas bring surprising benefits to Cornish farmers growing cauliflowers and potatoes, and to the oyster fishermen of the Fal Estuary. Neil Oliver experiences the extraordinary Viking Fire Festival on Shetland our most northerly isles. Is their spectacular ritual of burning a Viking Longship as authentic as it appears? On the wild western Isles of St Kilda a feral flock of sheep untouched for thousands of years battle to the death as winter approaches, and Andy Torbet throws himself into the fray.

8.4 /10