The Great British Dig: History in Your Back Garden

Hugh Dennis and his crew embark on their inaugural prehistoric excavation in the village of Stretton, Staffordshire. Their aim is to uncover the remains of ancient roundhouses hidden beneath the site, hoping to reveal the layout of these early dwellings.

is a television programme presented as a single episode that falls squarely within the factual‑archaeology genre. The show centres on a hands‑on investigation of early settlement structures, offering viewers a glimpse of how modern researchers approach sites that date back thousands of years. Its format follows a small crew as they move from planning to fieldwork, giving the audience a clear sense of the steps involved in an archaeological dig. The heart of the episode follows Hugh Dennis and his colleagues as they embark on their very first prehistoric excavation. Their mission is to locate and reveal the remains of ancient roundhouses that once stood in the village of Stretton, situated in Staffordshire. Throughout the day‑long effort, the team applies standard archaeological techniques, carefully removing soil and documenting any features that emerge, all in the hope of bringing those long‑lost dwellings back into view. Set against the backdrop of Stretton’s countryside, the programme highlights the challenges of working in a rural English setting while maintaining a focus on the specific goal of uncovering roundhouse foundations. By concentrating on this single site, the episode demonstrates how a dedicated group can combine enthusiasm with methodical practice to shed light on the daily lives of people who inhabited the area centuries ago. The result is a straightforward, step‑by‑step account of an introductory prehistoric dig in Staffordshire.