Britain's Great Cathedrals with Tony Robinson - Season 1

In the first episode, Tony is at York Minster. It has sat at the heart of our nation for more than 800 years, and has been a backdrop to some of the most dramatic events in British history. It has survived fires, war and subsidence, and its bishops have been influential on the world stage.

Canterbury is Britain's oldest cathedral, a World Heritage site, the 'mother church' for over 85 million people, and has witnessed the rise and fall of kings and queens, the murder of saints and the birth of a religion.

Tony Robinson tells the turbulent history of six of Britain's cathedrals. Salisbury, complete with its famous spire, was Britain's tallest medieval building. Over its 800-year life the cathedral has witnessed natural disasters, royal feuds, secret wartime operations and innovations that have altered the course of the nation.

Tony Robinson tells the turbulent history of six of Britain's cathedrals. Durham cathedral is one of Britain's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a leading tourist attraction. The cathedral is over 900 years old and stands 218 feet high. When it was first constructed, it was the country's tallest building.

Tony Robinson tells the turbulent history of six of Britain's cathedrals. Liverpool cathedral is the Church of England's newest cathedral, and it's the largest in Britain. The cathedral was designed in the Gothic style by Giles Gilbert Scott, who also designed the red telephone box. It took 74 years to build and was paid for by money donated from the people of Liverpool.

Winchester is the longest medieval cathedral in northern Europe. It is also one of Britain's oldest cathedrals and a monument to the wealth and power of the Normans. Kings and queens have been christened, married and laid to rest here.