Climbing Great Buildings

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Arts Documentary hosted by Jonathan Foyle, published by BBC in 2010 - English narration

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Dr Jonathan Foyle, architectural historian and novice climber, scales Britain's most iconic structures, from the Normans to the present day, to reveal the buildings' secrets and tell the story of how our architecture and construction has developed over 1000 years.

[edit] Durham Cathedral

Jonathan's journey begins in the North East of England at Durham Cathedral, one of the finest surviving examples of Norman architecture in the UK.

[edit] Lincoln Cathedral

The next step of Jonathan's journey takes him to Lincoln Cathedral, built in 1183. Once the tallest building in Britain, Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in Britain.

[edit] Caernarfon Castle

The next step of Jonathan's journey takes him to Caernarfon castle, built in 1283 and one of the most magnificent examples of medieval castle building in Britain.

[edit] New College Oxford

Jonathan's journey takes him to New College in Oxford. Built in 1379, this college set the blueprint for universities all over the world for the next 600 years.

[edit] Layer Marney Tower

The next step in Jonathan's journey takes him to Layer Marney Tower, a Tudor skyscraper nestled in the countryside near Colchester in Essex.

[edit] Burghley House

The next step in Jonathan's journey takes him to Burghley House in Lincolnshire. Built to impress Queen Elizabeth I on her many trips around the country, it's the finest example of an Elizabethan House in Britain.

[edit] St Paul's Cathedral

The next step on Jonathan's journey celebrating Britain's architecture takes him to St Paul's Cathedral in London. If one structure captures the spirit of London, this is it. Beautifully crafted and designed by the great Sir Christopher Wren it's simply stunning in its stature, with it's iconic dome that has dominated London's skyline for over 300 years.

[edit] Blenheim Palace

The next step of Jonathan's journey celebrating British architecture takes him to the epitome of the English stately home: Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Built in the early 1700's as a reward for the Duke of Marlborough's defeat of King Louis XIV of France it's the finest example of an English Baroque building in the country.

[edit] Clifton Suspension Bridge

The next step of Jonathan's journey takes him to the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Begun in 1835 by the great Engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel when he was only 24 years old, it's one of the greatest feat of Victorian engineering in the world.

[edit] St Pancras

The next step Jonathan's journey takes him to King Cross St Pancras, a masterpiece of Victorian design and without doubt London's most stunning and romantic station. He investigates the techniques used to construct both the train terminal and the Midland Hotel.

[edit] Glasgow School of Art

The next step of Jonathan's journey takes him to the Glasgow School of Art, built from 1897 by young artist Charles Rennie Macintosh. With unprecedented access, he looks at one of Britain's most controversial challenging and celebrated buildings.

[edit] Liver Building

The next step of Jonathan's journey takes him to the Liver Building in Liverpool. Built from 1908, this behemoth in concrete was Britain's first skyscraper that influenced buildings all over the world.

[edit] Coventry Cathedral

The next step of Jonathan Foyle's journey takes him to Coventry Cathedral. Built in 1955 after the original cathedral was bombed in the war, this modernist masterpiece came to symbolise the hope and rebirth of a nation.

[edit] Lloyd's Building

Foyle's journey takes him to the Lloyd's Building in the heart of the City of London. Built between 1978 and 1986, it's one of the finest examples of high-tech architecture in Britain and one of the great icons of London.

[edit] Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, built from 2000 and designed by Daniel Libeskind, is a stunning example of a new wave of architectural design that is both dramatic and disturbing, a building that plays with the senses and provokes wonder.