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Secrets of Britain's Great Cathedrals

  • 2018-2018
  • 2 seasons
  • PBS International
  • Documentary

Dominating the landscape for centuries, ancient cathedrals and abbeys reflect Britain's turbulent history through their architectural grandeur-stories of its kings and queens and the religious and social changes brought about by the English Reformation, as well as many other tales of intrigue, love, faith and conviction. Secrets of Britain's Great Cathedrals explores cathedrals and abbeys found throughout England and Wales, featuring interviews with historians and experts and breathtaking 4K footage captured by drones filming their legendary facades and soaring interior spaces. Never before has a television series brought together such a great number of ancient cathedrals and abbeys under one unified story line. Season 1: 4×54, Season 2: 4×54 Season 1 Episode 1: The Cornerstones: York Minster and Canterbury Cathedral Episode 2: London: St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey Episode 3: Salisbury Cathedral and Wells Cathedral Episode 4: Bath Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral Season 2 Episode 5: Durham Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral Episode 6: Worcester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey Episode 7: Wales: St. David's, Brecon, St. Asaph and Bangor Cathedrals (Tintern Abbey and Strata Florida) Episode 8: Ely Cathedral, Peterborough Cathedral and King's College Cambridge.

Season 1 Episode Guide

4 Episodes

Episode 1

The Cornerstones: York Minster & Canterbury Cathedral

54 mins

Our opening episode takes us to the spectacular pillars and great cornerstones of the Church of England - York Minster and Canterbury Cathedral.

Episode 2

London: St Paul's Cathedral & Westminster Abbey

Episode 3

Salisbury Cathedral & Wells Cathedral

54 mins

The highest tower in the UK, Salisbury Cathedral is a powerful sight, visible for miles around. Discover its beauty from the top of the winding tower, down into the depths of its foundations. Then reveal one of the UK's best kept secrets - Wells Cathedral. Situated in England, Wells Cathedral casts a glowing, poetic picture standing alongside an impressive Bishop's Palace.

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Episode 4

Bath Abbey & Gloucester Cathedral

54 mins

Throughout this episode, we explore Bath Abbey, sitting alongside the famous hot springs in the old Roman city, and then move on to its foundational sister, Gloucester Cathedral, whose striking turrets stand tall upon the rural skyline. We discover the common thread tying these two magnificent, and wildly different buildings together, with a shared history going back as early as the 7th century.

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