Secrets of Great British Castles
TV Show · Documentary · History

Secrets of Great British Castles explores the turbulent history behind six of Britain’s most iconic castles: Dover, Tower of London, Warwick, Caernarfon, Stirling and Carrickfergus. Popular historian and author, Dan Jones, peels back the layers of these celebrated strongholds that are at the heart of British history.

2015 · 43m
Starring Christophe Lombardi, Ronald Hutton, Ciaron Davies
Director Gerry Hoban

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Dover
    First of a six-part documentary series presented by Dan Jones exploring the history and legends of the UK's great fortresses. The first episode takes Dan behind the battlements of Dover Castle, where he descends into an underground lair to discover how a vast network of tunnels has been used to defend both the castle and the country for centuries.
    43m
  • EPISODE 2
    Tower of London
    Built by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London has been a military fortress, a palace, a royal mint, a prison, a zoo and a place of execution, a silent witness to some of the most momentous events in our history. Dan Jones reveals some of its secrets and tells the stories of the traitors, rebels and royalty who met their end inside its imposing walls.
    43m
  • EPISODE 3
    Warwick
    Today Warwick Castle is a popular tourist attraction, but for centuries its walls echoed with the sounds of betrayal, bloodshed, murder and financial ruin. Dan Jones reveals the turbulent history which took place within the well preserved walls of this imposing castle and the tales of the earls of Warwick who lived there.
    43m
  • EPISODE 4
    Caernarfon
    Historian Dan Jones explores the turbulent history of one of Britain's most famous castles, Caernarfon. Dan is in the heart of Snowdonia exploring a stronghold built not only as an impenetrable fortress but also as a lavish royal palace fit for a fairytale, Caernarfon Castle.
    42m
  • EPISODE 5
    Stirling
    Situated high on a crag overlooking the river Forth, Stirling Castle has guarded the gateway to the Scottish Highlands for centuries. The residence of kings, armies and felons, its battle scarred walls have witnessed savagery and chivalry, intrigue, adultery and murder. Its history includes some of the most charismatic characters in Scottish history.
    42m
  • EPISODE 6
    Carrickfergus
    Dan Jones explores the turbulent history of Carrickfergus, one of the most ancient castles in Northern Ireland and a stronghold that holds the key to understanding the tempestuous relationship between Britain and Ireland from the Middle Ages to today.
    43m

Related

Cast & Crew

  • C‌L
    Christophe Lombardi
    Edward I
  • Ronald Hutton
    Self
  • C‌D
    Ciaron Davies
    Actor
  • M‌M
    Marc Morris
    Self
  • S‌P
    Stuart Prior
    Self
  • Dan Jones
    Host
  • G‌H
    Gerry Hoban
    Director
  • Dan Jones
    Writer

About

Secrets of Great British Castles

Documentary

Secrets of Great British Castles explores the turbulent history behind six of Britain’s most iconic castles: Dover, Tower of London, Warwick, Caernarfon, Stirling and Carrickfergus. Popular historian and author, Dan Jones, peels back the layers of these celebrated strongholds that are at the heart of British history.

Information

Studio
Channel 5
Released
2015
Rated
PG
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2015 ABC Australia

Languages

Original Audio
English (Australia), English (United Kingdom)
Audio

English (Australia) (AAC)

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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • España
  • Sverige
  • Schweiz
  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)