Hidden History of Britain
TV Show · Documentary · History

Deserted villages, abandoned prisons, empty hospitals and derelict military bases... there is a treasure trove of crumbling buildings across Britain lying dormant, untouched for decades and frozen in time. In this series Michael Portillo will roll up his sleeves to become a guerrilla urban explorer of Britain's most exciting abandoned buildings.

2018 · 45m
Starring Michael Portillo
Director Ruairi Fallon

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    The Royal London Hospital - Healthcare for All
    Built in the East End of London 250 years ago, to provide free medical care for some of the poorest and most deprived people in Britain the London Hospital has pioneered medical breakthroughs and healthcare for generations of men, women and children.
    43m
  • EPISODE 2
    Orford Ness - Defence of the Realm
    On edge of the Suffolk coast lie some of Britain's most mysterious ruins. Monumental concrete bunkers rusting radar towers and crumpled military hardware; a lens into a bygone era of secrets, spies and superpowers. For almost a century Orford Ness was owned by the MOD and when it closed in 1993 its buildings were still shrouded in secrecy. In this episode, Michael sets out to unlock its secrets.
    44m
  • EPISODE 3
    Shepton Mallet - Crime and Punishment
    Since its opening, Shepton Mallet prison has been home to thousands of prisoners, countless executions, and many escape attempts.
    44m
  • EPISODE 4
    Imber Village - The Wages of War
    Hidden away in the heart of the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire is the abandoned shell of Imber. A thousand-year-old-village, which was once a vibrant community before a series of extraordinary events transformed it into a desolate ghost town.
    1h

Related

Cast & Crew

  • Michael Portillo
    Host
  • R‌F
    Ruairi Fallon
    Director
  • R‌F
    Ruairi Fallon
    Producer
  • J‌G
    Jazz Gowans
    Producer

About

Hidden History of Britain

Documentary

Deserted villages, abandoned prisons, empty hospitals and derelict military bases... there is a treasure trove of crumbling buildings across Britain lying dormant, untouched for decades and frozen in time. In this series Michael Portillo will roll up his sleeves to become a guerrilla urban explorer of Britain's most exciting abandoned buildings.

Information

Studio
Special Broadcasting Service
Released
2018

Languages

Original Audio
English (Australia)
Subtitles

English (United Kingdom) (SDH)

  • Français (Canada)
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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)