Great British Cities with Susan Calman - Season 1

In this first episode, Susan journeys to Liverpool, and for her it's the very first time.

She starts at the iconic Royal Albert Dock where she meets historian Frank Carlyle, who promises to "blow her mind" with the story of how one of her literary heroes, Charles Dickens, visited the city to research his famous characters.

Susan then travels to Edge Hill and is granted access to the 19th century Williamson tunnel network with expert Tom Stapleton. Tom reveals the remarkable story of why businessman Joseph Williamson recruited locals to build the mysterious and little seen subterranean structures.

Next, Susan is on the trail of an Irish born hero called Kitty Wilkinson, who is known to Liverpudlians as the "Saint of the Slums". Expert John Maguire reveals how Kitty helped save the poor from devastating disease in the 19th century.

Then at St George's Hall, Susan investigates the 1889 trial of Florence Maybrick, who was wrongfully accused of murdering her husband, and in a dance-led fantasy Susan becomes the first person in four years to quickstep on the world-famous Minton Floor, laid to celebrate Queen Victoria's 1838 coronation.

Susan meets up with Freda Kelly, who was Beatles manager Brian Epstein's secretary, and discovers the real story behind a man who managed the most famous band of all time yet was forced to keep his sexuality a secret, and whose life ended tragically.

At the extraordinary Anglican Cathedral in the centre of the city Susan reveals how a young man called Giles Gilbert Scott was asked to design the cathedral, even though he'd only previously designed a pipe rack. His work then became one of the post-war icons of the city.

Susan also investigates the life of fellow Scot and Liverpool legend Bill Shankly when she meets his granddaughter Karen Gill to discover what the great Liverpool FC manager was really like and how Everton, his arch-rival team, became strangely close to his heart in later life.

This week, Susan explores Newcastle. Her adventure begins at Newcastle Castle where resident historian Dave Silk reveals the sinister story of William Heron – a roguish sheriff who ruled over the people of Newcastle with an iron fist.

Susan marvels in the Georgian splendour of the city centre with local guide Amanda Hepburn. They delve into the incredible life and work of 19th Century builder Richard Grainger, who transformed the slums of Newcastle into the architectural jewel known as ‘Grainger Town'.

Next, Susan meets up with Horrible Histories author Terry Deary at St Andrew's Parish Church. Here she uncovers the terrible story of the largest single execution of witches in England, and discovers they are buried right beneath her feet.

Susan heads to the Tyne where local historian Richard Stevenson reveals the story of ‘The Great Fire of Gateshead and Newcastle' – a tragic event that caused greater loss of life than ‘The Great Fire of London,' but is to this day far less well known.

She gets inspired at the Lit & Phil Society where she learns about the invention of the lightbulb. Member Paul Gailiunas is on hand to unpick the intriguing battle between inventors, Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison.

Next, Susan ventures deep underground to uncover the mystery of the Victoria Tunnel with guide Trish Craighead, who reveals how the tunnel, constructed to transport coal, ended up saving the lives of thousands of Geordies during the Second World War.

Susan then delves into the story of the Carpathia with journalist Ken Smith and discovers how a small ship built on the banks of the Tyne rescued the only survivors of Titanic.

Finally, Susan heads to tranquil Jesmond Dene with historian John Glendinning, who shares the enticing story of William Armstrong – botanist, philanthropist, and the world's first international arms dealer.

Susan explores Cambridge, starting with a punt down the river Cam with history buff Henry Rintoul who reveals the origins of the waterways and the story behind one man's plan to repurpose it when livelihoods were threatened.

Susan heads to the Botanic Garden to meet Head of Horticulture Sally Petitt and delves into the story of John Stevens Henslow who transformed a 'Physic Garden' into a place that would inspire one of his proteges, Charles Darwin, to change our understanding of the natural world forever.

Next, Susan heads to Fitzbillies, an iconic Cambridge bakery that has fed the city's students and town folk for over 100 years. Alison Wright reveals the story behind its creation and Susan enjoys a taste of authentic Cambridge history.

Re-energised, she heads to Coe Fen to meet farmer Mark Drew and find out more about a unique part of Cambridge life: the story of why a herd of free-roaming cows live in the city centre - a practise that dates back hundreds of years.

Susan catches up with sporting historian Nigel Fenner, who reveals the story of an unusual turf war between well-heeled students and townies, and how the most popular sport on the planet was created in Cambridge.

Susan then meets Shirley Franklin, the niece of Rosalind Franklin who was responsible for taking one of the most important photos of all time – an image revealing the true structure of DNA – but was then all but air-brushed from history by her rivals.

Finally, she delves into the story of the First Eastern General Hospital which, during the Great War, helped over 70,000 casualties and transformed medical practices. Susan meets Dr Sarah Baylis and discovers why the city's greatest contribution to the war effort was lost in time for decades.

In this episode, Susan travels to Leeds, locally known as the Capital of the North.

She starts by delving into the city's industrial past, visiting the iconic Armley Mill. Now a museum, Susan gets up close and personal with the working conditions of the industrial revolution.

Susan then travels to Hyde Park Picture House, a surviving first World War cinema, to investigate a claim that Leeds is the birthplace of modern cinema. After viewing what could be the first example of moving pictures, Susan explores the mysterious disappearance of the man responsible, Louis Le Prince.   

Next Susan visits the Victorian Town Hall, taking in the majesty of the architecture and checking in on the restoration of the epic Town Hall Organ, once one of the largest in Europe, before heading into the murky depths of the prison cells to learn how Leeds put an end to one of the Victorian age's most prolific criminal careers.

At the Thackray Museum of Medicine, Susan samples a Victorian street exhibit to learn about living conditions and public health during the Industrial revolution. She then meets Dr Laura Sellers to find out about the surgeon who helped create the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and revolutionised amputation surgery for work-related accidents.

Following the trail of the city's textile industry, Susan investigates the Leeds Jewish tailoring community of the early 20th Century, and legendary Burton's founder Sir Montague Burton.

As her journey to Leeds comes to an end, Susan meets Arthur France, the man responsible for the Leeds West Indian Carnival. Still one of the biggest in Europe today, she learns about Arthur's passion and determination to unite people and communities during the 1960s, helping Leeds to become the multicultural society it is today.

The presenter is in Glasgow, uncovering the hidden history of her home city. Susan meets Professor Maria Fletcher to uncover the inspiring life of Madge Easton Anderson, a trailblazer who became the first female lawyer and forged the path of Susan's own life. The comedian also delves into the Victorian entertainment scene with a look at the world's oldest surviving music hall.

The presenter is in Bath, starting her journey at the famous Roman Baths, where she peels back 2,000 years of history. Susan then meets author Jem Roberts, who reveals the origin story of the city, set centuries before the Romans arrived. She also visits the Royal Crescent, Herschel Museum of Astronomy, and learns about a 1950s racing scandal, and the impact of Nazi air raids.