Phil Spencer's History of Britain in 100 Homes

Episode 1: From Cave Dwellers to Home Makers
A close look at one of the oldest homes in Britain, the remarkable Saltford Manor.

How did housing develop in the early years of Britain? In this fascinating documentary, architecture expert Phil Spencer enjoys a close look at some of the oldest homes in Britain, including the magnificent Saltford Manor. Warwick Castle shows Phil how the Norman invasion gave us the very definition of a super-home, and he sees how Harvington Hall became a refuge for Catholic priests.

Episode 2: Social Revolution
The story of Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries is revealed through amazing homes.

The story of Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries is explored through more amazing architectural wonders from the period. In this intriguing history documentary, property guru Phil Spencer looks at lavish properties in Liverpool, built by the riches of slave merchants, and revolutionary social housing in New Lanark in Scotland, constructed by a forward-thinking mill owner for his employees.

Episode 3: The Industrial Revolution
How the Industrial Revolution completely transformed British homes and society.

The Industrial Revolution completely transformed Britain, changing it from a largely agricultural nation to a city-based, manufacturing powerhouse. Real estate expert Phil Spencer explores 14 very different homes in this engrossing architectural history documentary. He shows how this period left us with residences housed in Napoleonic forts, canal boats and city tenements.

Episode 4: Working Class Homes
Changing fortunes of working people are explored through homes built in the late 1800s.

During the late 19th century, British society undertook a huge transformation. In this insightful history documentary, architecture expert Phil Spencer looks at three decades of homes built between 1850 and 1880, when working class slums were transformed into decent family abodes. Royalty attempted to improve the lives of the lower class, with Prince Albert designing a type of radical housing.

Episode 5: Edwardian and Dream Homes
Nine homes, built from the 1800s and the early 1900s, chart Britain’s changing society.

The nature of house building continued to develop in the early 1900s, echoing the transformation of British society. In this engaging history documentary, architecture expert Phil Spencer explores nine homes, built from the 1800s and the early 1900s, that have amazing stories to tell. They include a bungalow with an exotic history, the first housing projects, and a glamorous Edwardian residence.

Episode 6: The Interwar Years
Some of Britain’s most beautiful homes were built in the early part of the 20th century.

The first part of the 20th century was a boom time for British house building and an especially elegant period. Phil Spencer uncovers some of the country’s most beautiful architectural wonders from this time in this glorious history documentary. He
looks at 13 amazing residences dating from the First World War to 1938, covering suburbia and the era of glamorous art deco and modernist architecture.

Episode 7: From World War II to the 1960s
Phil Spencer visits the grand house that some inner-city children were moved to in WWII.

The destruction wrought by Hitler and the Nazis led to a boom in temporary housing and post-war home building. In this engaging history documentary, architecture expert Phil Spencer visits the grand house that some inner-city children were moved to for safety during World War II’s Operation Pied Piper and looks at the huge effort the country made after the war to get back on its feet.

Episode 8: Contemporary
14 modern properties tell the story of Britain’s most recent housing innovations.

Recent innovations have seen older properties repurposed and new mega-mansions created. Phil Spencer gets up to date with the story of British housing by surveying14 modern properties, from lofts to dwellings for the homeless and stunning designer homes. Phil also visits a perfectly preserved 1970s house while his 100th home is a£4.5 million architectural beauty.