The Great British Dig: History in Your Back Garden

In this episode, Hugh Dennis joins a team of archaeologists as they head to the rugged clifftops overlooking South Shields. Their mission is to search for any trace of a hidden military installation that is said to have been concealed there. Together they've combed the craggy heights, examining the terrain for clues that might confirm the base’s existence. The investigation focuses on uncovering physical evidence that could prove the site was once used for covert operations. By probing the landscape, they hope to reveal what has long been kept secret beneath the cliffs of South Shields. Their combined expertise blends historical insight with on‑site analysis, aiming to piece together the forgotten story.

In this episode, Hugh Dennis joins his team as they set out to uncover the hidden traces of a Norman motte‑and‑bailey castle tucked away in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool. The group combs the area, examining the landscape for any surviving earthworks or stonework that might reveal the layout of the medieval fortification. Their investigation focuses solely on locating the physical remnants of the structure, aiming to piece together how the castle once stood amidst the modern neighbourhood. By tracing these ancient features, they hope to shed light on the site's historical significance without venturing beyond the search for the castle’s remains.

Hugh Dennis joins a group of archaeologists as they dig through the back gardens of homes across Britain. Their aim is to reveal hidden historic sites that lie beneath ordinary lawns and patios. In the episode set in Falkirk, the team focuses on a possible Roman fort that may have formed part of the Antonine Wall. By carefully removing layers of soil and analysing the finds, they hope to confirm whether the structure once stood there. Each trench is recorded meticulously, and any artefacts are catalogued for further study. The investigation blends local curiosity with professional expertise, turning a modest garden into a potential window onto Roman military history.

Hugh Dennis joins a group of archaeologists as they dig through the back gardens of homes across Britain. Their aim is to reveal hidden historic sites that lie beneath ordinary lawns and patios. In the episode set in Falkirk, the team focuses on a possible Roman fort that may have formed part of the Antonine Wall. By carefully removing layers of soil and analysing the finds, they hope to confirm whether the structure once stood there. Each trench is recorded meticulously, and any artefacts are catalogued for further study. The investigation blends local curiosity with professional expertise, turning a modest garden into a potential window onto Roman military history.

The episode follows Hugh Dennis and his colleagues as they embark on their very first prehistoric excavation, aiming to uncover the remnants of ancient roundhouses that once occupied the settlement of Stretton in Staffordshire. Working together, the team sets out to dig beneath the ground in this rural village, hoping to reveal the structural traces of those early dwellings. Their objective is to bring to light the hidden evidence of the roundhouses, providing a glimpse into the prehistoric landscape of the area. They work methodically, examining each layer for clues, and the quiet countryside of Stretton frames their effort. By the episode’s close, they aim for discoveries that shed light on prehistoric life here.

The episode follows Hugh Dennis and his colleagues as they embark on their very first prehistoric excavation, aiming to uncover the remnants of ancient roundhouses that once occupied the settlement of Stretton in Staffordshire. Working together, the team sets out to dig beneath the ground in this rural village, hoping to reveal the structural traces of those early dwellings. Their objective is to bring to light the hidden evidence of the roundhouses, providing a glimpse into the prehistoric landscape of the area. They work methodically, examining each layer for clues, and the quiet countryside of Stretton frames their effort. By the episode’s close, they aim for discoveries that shed light on prehistoric life here.

Archaeologists have uncovered a prison dating from the nineteenth century in the county of Wiltshire. The site reveals a remarkably well‑preserved building whose design was ahead of its time, cleverly built to house a large inmate population while keeping the supervisory staff to a minimum. The structure’s innovative layout meant that only a handful of guards were required to keep an eye on hundreds of prisoners at any one time. This remarkably efficient arrangement, unusually effective for its era, demonstrates how the architects aimed to maximise control with limited manpower, offering a rare glimpse into Victorian penal engineering. The plan incorporated long sight‑lines and open corridors so that the small guard contingent could've observed several cell blocks at once, further reducing the need for additional watchmen.

Archaeologists have uncovered a prison dating from the nineteenth century in the county of Wiltshire. The site reveals a remarkably well‑preserved building whose design was ahead of its time, cleverly built to house a large inmate population while keeping the supervisory staff to a minimum. The structure’s innovative layout meant that only a handful of guards were required to keep an eye on hundreds of prisoners at any one time. This remarkably efficient arrangement, unusually effective for its era, demonstrates how the architects aimed to maximise control with limited manpower, offering a rare glimpse into Victorian penal engineering. The plan incorporated long sight‑lines and open corridors so that the small guard contingent could've observed several cell blocks at once, further reducing the need for additional watchmen.

In this episode, presenter Hugh Dennis leads his crew into the gardens of Beningbrough Hall, a historic house set in the Yorkshire countryside. Their task is to uncover the remains of a building that has disappeared from the landscape, with the only clue to its existence being a single painting that depicts it. As they excavate the grounds, the team hopes the soil will reveal the lost structure hinted at by the artwork and document their findings as they work. The search hinges entirely on the visual evidence from the painting, driving the investigation into the hidden past of the estate’s garden.

In this episode, presenter Hugh Dennis leads his crew into the gardens of Beningbrough Hall, a historic house set in the Yorkshire countryside. Their task is to uncover the remains of a building that has disappeared from the landscape, with the only clue to its existence being a single painting that depicts it. As they excavate the grounds, the team hopes the soil will reveal the lost structure hinted at by the artwork and document their findings as they work. The search hinges entirely on the visual evidence from the painting, driving the investigation into the hidden past of the estate’s garden.

In this episode, Hugh Dennis joins his team as they set out to uncover the hidden traces of a Norman motte‑and‑bailey castle tucked away in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool. The group combs the area, examining the landscape for any surviving earthworks or stonework that might reveal the layout of the medieval fortification. Their investigation focuses solely on locating the physical remnants of the structure, aiming to piece together how the castle once stood amidst the modern neighbourhood. By tracing these ancient features, they hope to shed light on the site's historical significance without venturing beyond the search for the castle’s remains.