Britains Most Historic Towns: Series 2 In this unique take on British history, Professor Alice Roberts explores Britain's rich and varied past through the stories of individual towns and cities. In each programme Alice studies one key period in history by delving into the secrets of a historic town that encapsulates the era, providing an accurate impression of what life was really like at key moments in our turbulent past. At the climax of each programme, cutting-edge CGI reveals the entire historic town in all its former glory.

Wartime Dover
Alice visits Dover to examine the effects of World War 2 on the town. She explores the underground base where the Dunkirk evacuation was planned, talks to a 90-year-old former ATS member about life during the Battle of Britain, and experiences life as a land girl. Ben uses aerial footage to show the challenges facing the Royal Navy.

Georgian Bristol
Alice explores her home town of Bristol during the Georgian period. She investigates the Slave trade and the part Bristol played, while hearing about the Georgian love of Gin and the world's first chocolate factory at Fry's. Ben uses aerial footage to show how the wealth generated during this period changed the city.

Edwardian Cardiff
Alice explores the Welsh capital of Cardiff during the Edwardian period. She discovers the growth of the city fuelled by different Marquesses of Bute and the coal trade. She investigates how it was mined, that the world trade in coal was managed in the city's coal exchange and the world's first million-pound trade deal. She also looks at how the trade links with the rest of the world brought a multicultural flavour to Cardiff in the early 20th century.

Civil War Oxford	
Alice explores the University city of Oxford to discover its importance during the English Civil War. She discovers why Charles I made Oxford his new capital after fleeing London, and the growth of its population during the 9 years of conflict. She also experiences Charles I's favourite sport, how to fire a musket and what life under the puritan Oliver Cromwell was like. Ben uses aerial photography to show the strategic importance of Oxford and its defences.

Plantagenet Canterbury
 Alice explores Canterbury and its links with the Plantagenet Kings of England. She investigates the story behind King Henry II and St Thomas Becket and the cathedral’s power during this time. Alice also looks at the influence of Geoffrey Chaucer’s book The Canterbury Tales and its part in the development of the English language. Ben uses aerial photography to show the size of the religious area of the city and the impact of the Black Death on the population during this time.

Stewart Stirling
Alice visits Stirling where she provides evidence to show it is Britain's most Stewart town. She discovers the often turbulent past between Stirling and the English. Ben Robinson takes to the air to explain the town's strategic importance. Alice visits Stirling Castle to learn more about King James IV's alliance with the French. She investigates the period of history when Mary, Queen of Scots was Queen of Scotland, and later when James VI becomes James I of England