Fred Dibnah's Building of Britain

This edition focuses on the 11th-century building programme undertaken by the Normans, which resulted in impressive fortress cathedrals at Peterborough and Ely, and a magnificent castle at Rochester.

Fred Dibnah examines the chain of castles along the North Wales coast, and the achievements of the architect who helped revolutionise castle design in England.

Fred Dibnah examines the carpentry that helped turn castles of the Middle Ages into homes, visiting Stokesay in Shropshire, Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire and Harvington Hall near Kidderminster.

Fred Dibnah focuses on Scottish baronial style. At Glamis Castle, Fred reveals how a simple sandstone tower house was transformed with the help of stonemasons from Aberdeen and plasterers from Italy. In addition, he visits the House of Dun near Montrose and Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coast.

Fred Dibnah returns to his old stomping ground around Bolton where, in the mid-18th century, the building of the first canals heralded the birth of civilengineering.

Fred Dibnah shows how steam power aided 19th-century construction, and admires the buildings of architect Augustus Pugin, including the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.