Tag: The Architecture The Railways Built

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 06/11/2021

Doctor Who (BBC 1/HD | 6:15pm to 7:15pm | Sunday 7th November 2021)

The Doctor has an unexpected encounter with one of her deadliest enemies when the Sontarans become a new faction in the Crimean War. As the British army goes into pitched battle with the warlike aliens, the Doctor and her companions seek the help of renowned nurse Mary Seacole (Sara Powell), while an ancient temple hides mysterious secrets.

Off the Tracks: Inside Central Station (BBC Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 7th November 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

Return of the documentary following life at Glasgow Central Station, with staff dealing with crowds of fans heading for Hampden as the Euro 2020 football tournament starts. At the rail depot, a whole fleet of electric trains is getting a major overhaul, while two signalling colleagues take a step into the past.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 8th November 2021)

Tim Dunn heads to the seaside to find out how the railways changed the fortunes of Margate and Ramsgate, and finds out more about 19th-century Dom Luiz Bridge in Porto.

Scotland from the Sky (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 7th November 2021)

James Crawford discovers how the Scottish landscape has influenced sport, visiting a golf course in South Uist designed by one of the sport’s founding fathers that was almost lost to history. He also takes a trip to the volcanic landmark Ailsa Craig, on the trail of the best curling stones in the world, discovers the story behind Livingston’s famous skate park, and climbs on Rannoch Wall with one of Scotland’s leading young climbers, Natalie Berry.

Hornby: A Model World (Yesterday | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 8th November 2021)

Hornby’s young designer Paramjit Sembhi takes on the challenge of building a new version of the iconic RAF fighter of the Second World War – the Spitfire.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 10th November 2021)

After the shocking events of the previous night, Perez must piece together what happened before a rampaging and vengeful Creggan finds his target. Eve denies any involvement and has an alibi, while Tosh visits Maurice Ross to find out why Galbraith was paying for his care. At the religious retreat on Whalsay, Sister Carolyn receives a threatening postcard and quickly packs her bags.

Britain’s Scenic Railways (More4 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 10th November 2021)

A steam train ride through the Yorkshire Moors reveals how the Bronte sisters became railway revolutionaries, and artist Leo du Feu takes a Highland journey to Thurso in the footsteps of the Jellicoe Express. Plus, the hero who rescued the crumbling Ribblehead Viaduct. Narrated by Bill Paterson.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 12th November 2021)

Susan heads for the West Country, and travels from Bath to the village of Cheddar, before meandering through the medieval city of Wells and ending her road trip in Weston-super-Mare. Along the way she meets a Jane Austen aficionado who is happy to provide some fitting period costume and all the gossip behind that era, takes in the astonishing 400-foot-high cliffs of the Cheddar Gorge and is challenged to a game of skittles.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 30/10/2021

Doctor Who (BBC 1/HD | 6:25pm to 7:15pm | Sunday 31st October 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

On Halloween, terrifying forces are stirring from the Arctic Circle to the depths of space, as an ancient evil breaks free. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, Dan Lewis’ life is about to change forever as he becomes the Doctor’s latest travelling companion. Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill return for a six-part series, alongside new co-star John Bishop.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 1st November 2021)

Tim Dunn takes a trip through the history of the North Staffordshire Railway Company, admiring the beautiful Stoke Station.

Scotland from the Sky (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 1st November 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

James Crawford explores the ways that the Scottish people have managed to surmount the challenges of tough terrain to connect communities and places across the centuries. Taking to the air in a seaplane, he visits Loch Ness to reveal its geological secrets, uncovers traces of the Viking era, explores how we have crossed the treacherous Pentland Firth and flies above the stunning West Highland line. Finally, he visits the Highland crofters and Scotland’s first spaceport.

Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 1st November 2021)

After being pushed into announcing a departure date, Tony Blair stepped down as prime minister on June 27, 2007 and Gordon Brown was finally able to take the reins. This episode tells the story of how Brown reacted to the global financial crash, bringing together leaders to try to save the world’s economy. Despite this, the public turned against his government and in 2010, after 13 years in power, New Labour was finally forced out of office.

Hornby: A Model World (Yesterday | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 1st November 2021)

Record producer Pete Waterman is commissioned by Chester Cathedral to construct a monster layout in tribute to the unsung 19th-century railway builder Thomas Brassey.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 2nd November 2021)

In Portrush, Co Antrim, the crew race to rescue a boy who has got into difficulties after jumping off rocks, and one of the crew volunteers enters the water to save him. On the Pembrokeshire coast, the lifeguard team at Whitesands Beach join forces with the St David lifeboat crew to rescue someone who has been found unconscious in the water.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 3rd November 2021)

The race is on to catch Sandy’s attacker before he can escape Shetland, while Lynda Morton finds herself in trouble, so she desperately calls Perez for help – offering a key name for his investigation in return. Blood from the recent break-in throws up a DNA match that leads to another murder suspect, and a shocking confession causes tensions to boil over, sowing the seeds of further violence.

Britain’s Scenic Railways (More4 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 3rd November 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Following the teams protecting the tracks and the volunteers preserving the steam heritage along some of Britain’s most scenic railways. Narrated by Bill Paterson.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 5th November 2021)

Susan discovers some of the most beautiful parts of Northern Ireland’s coastline, beginning in Belfast and heading to the Antrim coast, before moving inland to Lough Neagh. Along the way she meets a number of local characters, including some passionate spade makers who have turned the humble spade into an art form, and visits a place that is responsible for attracting 350,000 Game of Thrones enthusiasts to the region’s shores every year.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 23/10/2021

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 25th October 2021)

Tim Dunn explores London’s first passenger railway – the London and Greenwich Railway, on the longest railway viaduct in Britain today.

Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 25th October 2021)

A look at how Tony Blair stood beside America in the war against terror after the attacks of September 11, 2001, provoking huge criticism from the British public and parliament. The programme charts the fallout of British Intelligence reports suggesting the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and New Labour’s decision to publicise those findings – leading to a media frenzy and, some months later, to the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

Hornby: A Model World (Yesterday | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 25th October 2021)

Designer Sam creates a model of Winston Churchill’s funeral wagon and first-time modeller Simon builds Britain’s biggest model railway layout from his memory.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 27th October 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Perez and Tosh board the dive boat to investigate this latest death. Was this a tragic accident, or was the only witness to Galbraith’s murder silenced before they could speak? Suspicion falls on Mick Muir, the Life Support Supervisor responsible for diver safety – and when he is attacked by angry crew members, he has to be rushed to hospital. Perez senses the hand of organised crime, but getting answers proves difficult. Crime drama, starring Douglas Henshall.

The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 28th October 2021)

Bill Nighy narrates a trip along the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick, a four-hour ride that travels 167 miles along the coast. There is a stop at Beauly for a visit to a renowned tartan tailors and a spot of fly fishing, as well as a look at Dunrobin Castle, the abode of the Duke of Sutherland, who built part of the railway and then fancied himself a castle styled like a French chateau.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 29th October 2021)

The comedian visits Shakespeare Country, and stops off at the impressive Warwick Castle. There she is invited to try the ancient art of archery and, to her surprise, discovers she’s a natural. Susan also enjoys a pedalo trip on the River Avon before she and campervan Helen travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, the spot synonymous with playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

Walking Britain’s Lost Railways (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 29th October 2021)

Rob Bell is in Kent following a quiet, rural line that exploded into prominence during two world wars. The Elham Valley railway once linked Canterbury to Folkestone via the chalk downs of the ‘Garden of England’. As Rob discovers, the line was built as part of a tug of war between competing Victorian rail companies.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 16/10/2021

The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 17th October 2021)

Dermot O’Leary and Clara Amfo present the awards ceremony celebrating environmental projects working to combat climate change, and providing funding to help them achieve their goals in the next 10 years. David Attenborough speaks on the challenges these issues are designed to mitigate, and there are performances from Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Yemi Alade, KSI and Shawn Mendes.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 18th October 2021)

Tim Dunn heads to Bishopstone in Sussex, a seaside station with a difference – it’s also a fortress designed to defend the nation from German attack during the Second World War.

Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 18th October 2021)

A look at how millennium celebrations were tempered by a feeling across the country that New Labour hadn’t yet delivered what they promised when they first came to power in 1997. Prime minister Tony Blair decided to regroup and refocus by turning his attention to public services and aiming to put choice at the heart of reform, stepping firmly outside of the Old Labour tradition.

Hornby: A Model World (Yesterday | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 18th October 2021)

Experienced designer Carl has a challenge on his hands attempting to recreate a First World War biplane as a 1/48th scale Corgi model.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 19th October 2021)

Just off the west coast of Scotland, on the rugged Isle of Mull, the Tobermory lifeboat crew have to battle huge waves to save a 40-foot fishing boat that’s lost all power. On the Pembrokeshire coast, the crew are called out to reports of an injured fisherman onboard a Belgian trawler.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 20th October 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

Douglas Henshall returns in the detective drama. Perez attends his mother’s funeral on Fair Isle, where he begins to worry that his father is having trouble with his memory. However, when Tosh calls to inform him of a murder – the shooting of a prominent and controversial Shetlander on their doorstep in broad daylight – he rushes back to lead the investigation. Co-starring Alison O’Donnell, Mark Bonnar and Steven Robertson.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 21st October 2021)

As Chamberlain heads to meet with Hitler in Munich, James prepares to face his parents and give them some difficult news. Meanwhile, the prospect of a return to war acts as a timely reminder to make the most of life while you can. But James’s agenda is derailed by an emergency with the Alderson’s pregnant mare, Candy.

Secrets of the River Clyde (Channel 5/HD | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Friday 22nd October 2021)

The River Clyde is one of Britain’s most important rivers. Running from the Lowther Hills in Lanarkshire to the Irish Sea, it has been a source of wealth and a symbol of pride for Glasgow and for Scotland. Using archive footage, contemporary film and interviews, cameras reveal how the Clyde has been at the heart of British shipbuilding for more than 300 years.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 22nd October 2021)

The comedian climbs the dramatic and spectacular peaks of north Wales. She she stops off at the must-see tourist spot of the Tu Hwnt Ir Bont Tearoom, said to be the most photographed in Wales and famed for its Welsh rarebit. Moving on to Mount Snowdon, Susan climbs the magnificent peak in style, using the mountain railway.

Walking Britain’s Lost Railways (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 22nd October 2021)

Rob Bell visits Cornwall, once one of the world’s great industrial landscapes, and explores the copper mining that once dominated this peninsula. From north coast to south coast, Rob follows Cornwall’s first two railways, and discovers how the deep mines they served prompted the invention of the all-important steam engine.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 09/10/2021

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 11th October 2021)

Tim Dunn visits the popular Victorian holiday resort Saltburn-by-the-Sea, exploring the North Yorkshire town that owes its very existence to the railways.

Paul Merson: Football, Gambling & Me (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 11th October 2021)

The former footballer looks back on the ways that gambling has affected his life, and questions if enough is being done to prevent young people from becoming addicted. He begins by talking to his former Arsenal teammate Wes Reid about the first step on the road to addiction, as well as meeting other footballers whose habits have cost them millions. The programme also examines how new technology is making the gambling industry more insidious with the ability to gather information about customers.

Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 11th October 2021)

A landslide victory puts the Labour party back into power after nearly two decades. Tony Blair, who had never previously held a cabinet position, is now prime minister. A steep and daunting learning curve lays ahead of him. As he grapples with the vast government machine, Gordon Brown hits the ground running. His first move as chancellor is to make the Bank of England independent – a seismic change that Brown announces in his first days in office. As their popularity ratings soar, cracks start to appear from within the New Labour operation.

Hornby: A Model World (Yesterday | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 11th October 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

The model-making company, home to four iconic brands, Hornby, Airfix, Scalextric and Corgi, opens its doors to reveal how their dedicated team of designers strive to shrink a new generation of mighty machines. A perfect diecast replica of a 1940’s Merchant Navy steam locomotive is the task for Hornby’s design team.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 12th October 2021)

On Ireland’s south-east coast, the three RNLI crews at Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare battle to save a cargo ship that has lost all power and is drifting towards rocks. In Hoylake, on the Wirral, a vast multi-agency effort is required to rescue a mother and daughter who have got stuck in the mud and, 65 miles to the west, in the coastal village of Porthdinllaen, the crew respond to a mayday call from a yacht five miles out in the Irish Sea that is requesting an immediate medical evacuation.

Dementia & Us (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 12th October 2021)

The effects on those with dementia as the pandemic hits and Britain goes into lockdown. As social interaction helps keep the brain active, it proves to be a very difficult time.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 13th October 2021)

Kevin McCloud follows the progress of ex-advertising man Geoff, who is selling his luxury villa in Spain and moving into a caravan while he project manages the construction of a dramatically cantilevered steel-framed house on the Essex coast, costing a total of £700,000. But after the anchoring steel has been drilled into the ground, he runs into the double trouble – Covid-19 and a collapse in the Spanish property market. Will he ever finish this complicated – and expensive – construction?

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 14th October 2021)

When a familiar face from Helen’s past returns to Darrowby, James worries that he has to vie for her attention and steps up to compete against them at Mrs Pumphrey’s annual cricket match. The rest of Skeldale House are apprehensive as the game can be brutal. Siegfried tries his best to train James and get a reluctant Tristan to step in, but it’s not looking good for their Darrowby Eleven team.
(New Episode, Subtitles, Series 2, Episode 5)

Walking Britain’s Lost Railways (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 15th October 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Rob Bell is in Yorkshire on the trail of a man once known as the ‘Railway King’. George Hudson rose from farming origins to become Lord Mayor of York, and the greatest railway builder of all. Rob starts in York, which Hudson almost single-handedly turned into a railway city – home now to the National Railway Museum.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 15th October 2021)

The comedian and presenter explores Cornwall’s coast, taking in the delights from Charlestown to Land’s End, and beyond. She is invited to scale the masts of a schooner at the UK’s last working Georgian port and is asked to help tend the country’s only outdoor jungle. On the other side of a ferry trip, Susan discovers the surprising sight of Europe’s largest tea plantation, right here in Britain.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 02/10/2021

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 4th October 2021)

Part one of two. Nikki’s students make an alarming discovery while dissecting a body donated for their training. The case that follows brings Nikki close to a student, stirring dangerous feelings. Meanwhile, Jack and Simone investigate the care home where the victim died, but find themselves fighting to keep the residents alive when a diverted river floods the area. Guest starring Sian Phillips and Pauline McLynn.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 4th October 2021)

Tim Dunn heads underground at the magnificent Victorian Bramhope Tunnel in West Yorkshire, one of the longest tunnels in Britain when it was built.

Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 4th October 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Examining the careers of those at the heart of New Labour, featuring interviews with the key players involved in a movement that still divides opinion to this day. The series begins in 1983, when Labour suffered a savage election defeat and two young Labour MPs entered Parliament for the first time. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown came from very different backgrounds, but they shared the same burning ambition – to make Labour electable again.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 5th October 2021)

At Beachy Head, the Eastbourne crew have to deal with a base jumper’s disastrous takeoff. Just along the Sussex coast in Newhaven, a man faces a race against time as he suffers a seizure on board a tall ship. At Loch Ness, a Second World War sea plane runs into mechanical trouble, and in Rhyl, a dog chasing seagulls into the sea bites off more than she can chew.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 5th October 2021)

Part two of two. Stranded in the flooded care home, Jack and Simone fight to keep the residents alive. Nikki and detective Galloway join the emergency relief effort, and discover that their colleagues may be trapped inside with the killer. Shaken by events, and by Nikki’s relationship with her student, Jack takes matters into his own hands.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 6th October 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets Cumbrian couple Rob and Ruth, who have bought a 200-year-old former blacking mill and plan to slot in an entirely new, timber-clad structure within its walls, giving the impression that it is peeping out from the original ruins. But the original building is a scheduled monument and Historic England inform them it is too dangerous to repair, giving them no choice but to painstakingly rebuild the ancient mill around their new structure.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 7th October 2021)

It’s an important day for Tristan in more ways than one, as he celebrates his birthday and Siegfried gives him new responsibilities as a vet. Tristan has to withstand the pressure and succeed in the challenge set by his older brother before returning to Skeldale for his birthday festivities. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall reminds James that he needs to tell Helen some home truths.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 8th October 2021)

The poet visits the Oxfordshire town of Burford for a look round Cotswold Wildlife Park, a place she’s been visiting for decades. Pam feeds some of the endangered lemurs, before locking horns with one of its mightiest residents – a rhino named Mods. The series ends with a trip to Cirencester Polo Park, home to England’s oldest polo club.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 8th October 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

The comedian’s second run of excursions begins on the Norfolk Broads, where she is invited aboard a beautifully restored boat known as a wherry. Moving onto Cromer, Susan has come for the famous crab, but also discovers the local jig dolls. Part puppet, part percussion instrument, it leads to a very happy time in a pub.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 25/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 26th September 2021)

Amy is trapped and running out of time. On land, Kirsten chases down the traitor’s accomplice. When the traitor on Vigil puts their plans into action, the crew are forced to fight for their lives. Conclusion of the crime drama, starring Suranne Jones.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 27th September 2021)

Tim Dunn uncovers the secrets above, below and inside London’s Charing Cross Station. He also looks at the modern wonder of the Ordsall Chord in Manchester.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 27th September 2021)

Part one of two. A tricky murder case leads Jack and Nikki into the world of underground boxing, while a talented forensic ecologist proves to be just what the team needs. Jack’s brother Ryan is released from prison and comes to live with him and Conor, creating a struggle to maintain peace and keep his secrets.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 27th September 2021)

The impact of the appointment of Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager in 1996, when he introduced modern coaching techniques and lifestyle and dietary improvements. It is not long before Alex Ferguson felt the imminent threat of a new rival intent on destroying the legacy he was building at Manchester United.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 28th September 2021)

In St Agnes, the crew is involved in a race against time to rescue two young men. They are reported to be struggling in the water near a notorious headland known as Tubby’s Head. In Whitby, North Yorkshire, Leah is training to be the station’s first female helm, and her skills are put to the test when she is called out to rescue a walker who’s

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 28th September 2021)

Part two of two. Simone continues to prove her worth to the team as they investigate a second death that brings them back to the same underground boxing ring. Meanwhile, Jack is torn between loyalty to his brother and protecting his family, and as his feelings bubble towards the surface, he finds himself drawn emotional closer to Nikki.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 29th September 2021)

This final part of Michael’s adventure begins on Hope’s Nose, a unique headland outside Torquay on the English Rivera, where Michael embraces as many experiences as he can along a coastline formed 280 million years ago, where limestone cliffs give way to eroding sandstone slopes. From exploring prehistoric caves by paddle board to digging for red clay on the Teign estuary, and racing a historic Cornish rowing boat, Michael is determined to capture as many coastal memories as he can, before returning to his urban life in London.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 29th September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets architectural designer Dan and interior designer Nina, who want to build a sleek, unique family house. But the plot they have bought, near a beautiful estuary in West Sussex, is dominated by a swampy pond that they are unable to fill in. Instead, they plan to make it central to their design, turning the pond into a diodiverse waterscape, and then floating their house above it. It’s a challenge for anyone – but to save money, Dan is doing it largely himself, despite his limited experience with new builds.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 30th September 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

The fate of a struggling young widow causes difficulties for James and Helen’s burgeoning romance. Meanwhile, Siegfried has another scheme to whip Tristan into shape, and a visit from Tricki Woo causes chaos in Skeldale House. Drama, starring Nicholas Ralph.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 1st October 2021)

The poet heads to north Gloucestershire and the village of Toddington. She’s there to hop aboard one of the locomotives of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. After a chat with fireman Clive on the footplate, Pam heads to her own carriage to enjoy the 28-mile journey and discover how the railway line was restored and revived by some seriously dedicated steam-buffs.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 1st October 2021)

Exploring a dystopian powerhouse in Pennsylvania, USA, a fairy-tale castle in Poland and AngloSaxon religious ruins across vast plains of Scotland.

Lighthouses: Building the Impossible (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 1st October 2021)

Rob Bell explores the wild and beautiful south coast of Ireland to reveal why Fastnet is regarded as one of the most stunning rock lighthouses ever built. He also finds out how this lonely tower became the crowning glory in a 1,500-year legacy of saving lives.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 18/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 19th September 2021)

The submarine is forced into lockdown as disaster strikes. With hostile boats tracking and communications down, Vigil’s crew have to navigate this crisis alone. Kirsten desperately hunts for clues to reveal the source of the threat to Vigil, but with no word from the boat, she fears for the safety of Amy, whose quest to uncover the truth places her in grave danger.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

Tim Dunn explores Brunel’s first and last railway projects and looks at a Scottish station with a royal connection.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

Nikki, Jack and Adam are brought in to investigate the murder of a surgeon in a hospital. DNA evidence suggests the impossible when it implicates a patient who was under the anaesthetic at the time of the killing. Meanwhile, Adam’s friendship with the hospital director brings his impartiality into question.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

A look at the rise of the celebrity footballer, symbolised by Manchester United’s David Beckham and the breed of player who were starting to resemble rock stars more than sportsmen. In contrast, the programme examines the fate of Beckham’s team-mate Keith Gillespie, whose sense of isolation after a transfer to Newcastle United led him to seek solace in the local bookmakers.

Submarine: Life Under the Waves (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

Part two of two. Captain Stephen Brian takes command of HMS Trenchant and his arrival coincides with a growing threat from Russia, as their warships and submarines make forays into British waters. As everyone preparess for the tough realities of life back at sea on board a submarine, orders are received for Trenchant to stop the next Russian vessel making its way towards British waters.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 21st September 2021)

In Trearddur Bay, the RNLI crew battle through gale force winds and huge waves as they try to save a surfer, as their worried families watch on from the shore. On the same stretch of Welsh coast, the Llandudno and Rhyl lifeboats are involved in a desperate search for a fishing vessel that’s reported missing.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 21st September 2021)

Part two of two. With the suspect in a coma and an attacker seemingly at large in the hospital, Nikki calls on Adam’s expertise to help solve the case. The team makes a breakthrough that hints at a medical conspiracy and exposes the lengths some are willing to go to protect their personal and professional reputations. Drama, starring Emilia Fox and Jason Wong.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 22nd September 2021)

Anna Richardson and the team are in Bury St Edmunds, where insurance broker Leanna and mechanic Jamie have reached decorative deadlock in their living room. They are handing over their keys to neighbour Donna, a nightclub owner who wants a wow factor in her bedroom. Donna’s keen to push Leanna and Jamie out of their comfort zone and has enlisted her sister Sarah to help. However, with flamboyant designers Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe in charge, anything could happen.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 22nd September 2021)

Michael begins this leg of his journey at South Devon’s most southerly point, Start Point, and embarks on a walk which takes in a broad sweep of eroding shingle coastline and some of the most picturesque beaches he has encountered. Along the way, he discovers historic fishing villages, and the largest freshwater lake in South West England. His South Devon trek ends near the mouth of the River Dart, but not before he leaves his own mark on this beautiful stretch of coast, a new wooden signpost for walks inscribed with his initials.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 22nd September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets widowed teacher Gretta, who is making a fresh start in rural Cambridgeshire with a Malaysian-inspired burnt wood and glass home being designed by her nephew Carlos and project managed by her brother-in-law Fernando – despite his lack of building experience. However, as site clearance begins, so does the Covid-19 pandemic – and family harmony is tested when an apple tree much loved by Fernando is condemned for removal by Gretta.

Ambulance (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 23rd September 2021)

A 13-year-old stuck on a bus after dislocating their knee kicks off another busy night shift for Emily and Lois. Across the city, Adam and Charlotte respond to a call for a patient who is struggling to breathe. With concerns of Covid in the family the crew has no choice but to take the patient into hospital. A discussion between Adam and the patient reveals their anxiety about what lies ahead for them – a feeling shared right across the service whether on the road or in dispatch. Narrated by Christopher Eccleston.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 23rd September 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

With Tristan’s encouragement, James asks Helen if she’d like to go to the local spring dance. But village resident Gerald’s arrival with his injured dog, Rock, puts a spanner in the works. Meanwhile, Tristan worries that Siegfried is in danger of losing his edge.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 24th September 2021)

The poet’s latest journey starts in Wiltshire in the town of Bradford-on-Avon, where she takes to the water on a narrowboat. Pam enjoys a leisurely trip along the Kennet and Avon Canal – a waterway that helps link Bristol in the west with London in the east. Pam also meets the beekeeper producing Cotswold comb honey, before heading to the ancient wool town of Tetbury.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 24th September 2021)

Exploring a luxury resort that conceals a top-secret facility, a mysterious complex in Bali struck by disaster, and a relic of hope near Jerusalem.

Lighthouses: Building the Impossible (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 24th September 2021)

Rob Bell uncovers the incredible stories behind Scotland’s mighty Bell Rock lighthouse, an engineering marvel built on a deadly submerged reef in the treacherous North Sea. Eleven miles offshore, this light has stood strong for over 200 years, but at the start of the 19th century, the reef was a menace causing innumerable wrecks and drowning countless mariners. As the show reveals, Robert Stevenson, a young, ambitious engineer, was determined to prove that something could be done to stop Bell Rock claiming so many lives.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 11/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 12th September 2021)

Amy confronts one of the crew with her discoveries about their deception, but with her mental health suffering, questions are asked about her fitness to investigate. On land, Kirsten refuses to bow to pressure from the authorities and has concerns that they are orchestrating a cover up. As she closes in on the killer, their capture reveals the grave threat that the vessel faces.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Tim Dunn takes to the tracks in Newcastle to explore a city rich in railway architecture. He also looks at two recording breaking structures in Scotland.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021)

Part one of two. A swimming instructor is found murdered in her flat, and trace evidence found at the scene implicates her ex-boyfriend – who is a former police officer. The investigation is the first case for a new recruit to the team, whose eagerness to impress causes friction with his new colleagues, while Jack finds himself forced to reckon with secrets from his own hidden past.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021)

A look at the title race between big-spending Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United in the 1994-95 season, assessing the impact of Eric Cantona’s ban for attacking a Crystal Palace supporter who had verbally abused him. The Frenchman claimed he was provoked by a racist slur, but his actions caused national outrage and the threat of a prison term loomed.

Submarine: Life Under the Waves (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021)

Part one of two. Life on board nuclear submarine HMS Trenchant on its four-month tour of duty to the mid-Atlantic, uncovering the reality of life at sea. Her crew prepare the submarine to leave port for the first time in six months, with enough food coming on board to last for up to 120 days underwater. Their mission is to travel to the mid-Atlantic to protect a British submarine that’s carrying Trident nuclear missiles.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 14th September 2021)

The crew at Tower, on the River Thames in London, is the busiest of all the lifeboat stations, averaging more than 500 shouts a year and aiming to launch to any emergency in under 90 seconds. When a call comes in about a man in the water near the Thames Barrier, they reach him with just moments to spare. In Fleetwood, on the Lancashire coast, a desperate 999 call alerts the crew to a bait digger – out looking for worms on the sand flats – who has been caught out by the incoming spring tide and is in danger of being submerged and swept out to sea.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 14th September 2021)

Part two of two. Having traced Laura’s last movements to a suburban house, the team struggles to identify the bodies buried in the garden. With a prowler seemingly on the loose, DI Meredith continues to suspect her former colleague. Meanwhile, Cara is furious when she finds out why Ryan is in prison, forcing Jack to choose between his brother and the truth.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 15th September 2021)

Anna Richardson and the interior designers are in Fareham on the south coast to help another couple of neighbours transform each other’s houses. Project manager Keith and operations manager Kath have not touched their lifeless living room since moving in five years ago, while intensive care nurse Kerry and firefighter Sophie have a passion for superheroes, and want their bland loft bedroom to become a space that oozes personality and colour.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 15th September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets architect Iain and his wife Jenny, who intend to build an enormous black minimalist house right in the middle of a 19th-century Scottish country estate. Their grand vision also involves connecting the new rectangular block to a dilapidated gardener’s bothy – and the neighbours are watching.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 15th September 2021)

Michael heads for his final stretch in Cornwall, and takes in a coastline of hidden coves, a stunning sub-tropical garden and smugglers’ creeks, immortalised by Daphne du Maurier in her novel Frenchman’s Creek. Beginning at the working fishing village of Coverack, he detours inland to visit a family-run dairy farm that produces clotted cream and more than 40 flavours of ice cream from milk produced by their Jersey cows.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 16th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

A trip back home to Glasgow presents James Herriot with a dilemma that will mean choosing between the people he loves when he is offered a position at his old mentor’s forward-thinking practice. Return of the drama about a veterinary practice in the Yorkshire Dales. Starring Nicholas Ralph and Samuel West.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 17th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

The poet sets off on a journey around the region that takes in parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, beginning in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Pam soaks up the scenery that attracts thousands of tourists every year – along with a Cotswold cream tea – before visiting Andy Wallington’s antique shop, followed by a world-famous perfumery that’s made scents for the Queen. Pam also visits Blur bassist Alex James at his farm to discover why he swapped London for country life.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 17th September 2021)

Featuring Italian ruins immortalised by Hollywood, a crumbling Chilean city with two lives and a brutalist Scottish relic whose prayers went unanswered.

Lighthouses: Building the Impossible (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 17th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Rob Bell heads nine miles out into the English Channel to see why building the world’s first rock lighthouse was such a monumental achievement. At Eddystone Reef, Rob witnesses the awesome power of rough seas and jagged rocks for himself, before a vivid demonstration of why building a tower on a wave-lashed rock was regarded as an impossible dream.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 20/03/2021

Top Gear (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 21st March 2021)

The team takes some of greatest-ever cars featured in James Bond movies for a spin, including the iconic Aston Martin DB5. Freddie Flintoff gets behind the wheel of an Extreme E race car and puts it to the test against a man in a jet-pack, while Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness test a new Ferrari against a very old Alfa.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 23rd March 2021)

Tim Dunn explores Wingfield, one of the oldest surviving railways and uncovers the longest brick viaduct in the UK, the Welland Viaduct in Northamptonshire.

This Is My House (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 24th March 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Stacey Dooley hosts this property-based guessing game in which four people claim to own the same house. It’s then up to celebrity judges Bill Bailey, Emily Atack, Judi Love, Jamali Maddix – joined each week by a special guest – to watch the four `owners” interact and figure out which one is telling the truth and who are the impostors. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen joins in the fun for the first edition, set in a converted barn in Ashford, Kent.

The Dog House (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 25th March 2021)

Documentary set inside Wood Green animal charity, following efforts to match dogs with new owners. Nine-year-old Rohan meets Patterdale terrier puppy Friday, but there are concerns that the hound may be just a bit too enthusiastic for the youngster. Rocco the Jack Russell has been struggling to find a home, though his bouncy exuberance and love of a good face lick means he could be the perfect match for Zach, who is looking for a dog not fazed by his Tourette’s. Grant the stray westie has seen some tough times, but his luck might be about to change with the arrival of Casper and Sid.

Kate Humble’s Coastal Walks (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 26th March 2021)

The naturalist walks 12 miles of Suffolk’s shingle coast, starting at Minsmere Nature Reserve, and later heads through the protected wetlands at Snape Maltings in a kayak. Her final destination is the 10-mile-long shingle spit at Orford Ness, a former military test site which is now a National Trust nature reserve.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.