Britain's Best Buildings


Britain's Best Buildings is a BBC documentary series in which the TV presenter and architectural historian Dan Cruickshank discusses his selection of the finest examples of British architecture. It was first broadcast on BBC Two from 2 to 23 November 2002, and returned on BBC Four from 5 May to 2 June 2004.

Episode list

Series one

  1. Tower Bridge 2 November 2002
  2. Blenheim Palace 9 November 2002
  3. Durham Cathedral 16 November 2002
  4. Windsor Castle 23 November 2002

    Series two

  5. Harlech Castle 5 May 2004
  6. Palace of Westminster 12 May 2004
  7. Hardwick Hall 19 May 2004
  8. The Circus 26 May 2004
  9. Forth Bridge 2 June 2004
Edited editions of the Palace of Westminster edition are often shown on the BBC Parliament channel, when live coverage of the House of Commons, House of Lords, committees etc. ends early, before the beginning of the next programme. These edited editions are used to fill the gaps.
The UKTV channel Yesterday frequently repeats the series. However the episodes are shown in an edited 46 minute format to allow for commercials.

Companion book

The 2002 companion book to the series, also written by Cruickshank, covers the four buildings featured in the first series along with four additional buildings; these are Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh; Cardiff Castle; Midland Grand Hotel, St. Pancras Station, London; and Highpoint I, London.

Selected editions

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