Speed with Guy Martin (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 16th November 2014)
Speed junkie Guy Martin takes on new speed-based challenges in the second series of Speed with Guy Martin. In the final programme in the series, Guy takes on the challenge of building the fastest soapbox racer the world has ever seen, in an attempt to set a new speed record using just the pull of gravity and a tarmac road. To get to grips with blisteringly fast speeds on a public road, Guy tries his hand at street luge with ex-world champion Helene Schmit, before meeting up with his team of engineers to explore the science of rolling resistance and the importance of tyre pressure. Armed with what they believe to be the perfect formula, Guy’s team produce a completely unique soapbox cart and, after training with the Team GB women’s bobsled pair, are hoping for the perfect push start. Confidence is high and the adrenaline is flowing. The record attempt gets off to a flying start but are disaster and mayhem just around the corner?
Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom (BBC 2/HD | 9:00m to 10:00pm | Tuesday 18th November 2014)
Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold turn the clock back as they learn how to build a medieval castle using the same tools, techniques and materials available in the 13th century. Although Britain has some of the finest remaining castles of the medieval period, many of their secrets have been lost in time. Peter and Tom set to work straight away learning the skills of the medieval stonemasons to construct a beautiful spiral staircase.
Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 19th November 2014)
After Justin sees a boy shoplifting, he takes matters into his own hands and tries to help. When his actions don’t get the response he was expecting, things spiral out of control. Simon and Sue’s dinner party goes badly wrong after Hector speaks out of turn.
Great Continental Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 19th November 2014)
With his 1913 Bradshaw’s in hand, Michael Portillo journeys deep into central Europe to explore a country where east meets west: Poland. Beginning in Warsaw, Michael is puzzled by how a city famously razed to the ground after the Second World War can appear so beautifully preserved. He hitches a ride in a 1913 carriage to discover one of the secrets of its restoration. Heading south west from Warsaw, Michael’s fellow passengers come to his rescue with a crash course in Polish pronunciation. In Poznan, at the heart of former German Poland, Michael takes in the view from the Kaiser’s balcony before climbing aboard what is possibly the last steam-powered commuter train. Arriving in Wroclaw, Michael heads for a giant train factory, where they continue to manufacture car bodies for locomotives today. And from Wroclaw it’s on to the ancient capital of Poland, Krakow, where Michael lunches in a milk bar and takes a tour in an iconic vehicle of the communist era.
George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 20th November 2014)
In Cumbria George meets Harry who wants to transplant a derelict Victorian railway signal box to his home and turn it into a garden summerhouse. In Derby, 22-year-old wood carver Sophie hopes to transform a VW campervan into a mobile home and showroom to use to sell her wares at festivals. On his Italian road trip, George discovers a spectacular house made almost entirely out of glass near Lake Lugano. And George and Will struggle to get the walls right on their wilderness retreat.
Underground Britain (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 20th November 2014)
Documentary series in which engineer Rob Bell explores the UK’s subterranean wonders. Rob discovers a long-lost secret when he visits the ruins of Nottingham castle and learns about the life-saving work of the the Mine Rescue Service. In Buckinghamshire, he stumbles upon a 250-year-old den of debauchery.
Ice Road Truckers (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 21st November 2014)
Documentary series following the lucrative, but highly dangerous, job of driving trucks on Canada’s notorious ice highway. Hugh Rowland and Vlad now have their own trucking business, VP Express which will be setting out to try and shut down the rival Polar Industries. Polar hire some very experienced staff and VP Express show a newcomer the ropes.
All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.