BBC Four TV Guide — Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Brenda Emmanus presents profiles of 10 celebrated British designers whose work has revolutionised the nation's homes, streets and culture since the Second World War. Among those whose careers are highlighted are road-sign designer Margaret Calvert, ZX Spectrum creator Rick Dickinson, Andrew Ritchie, who gave the world the Brompton Bike, and Kenneth Grange, who designed everything from British Rail's distinctive InterCity 125 to Kenwood food mixers. A panel of contributors including Will.i.am, Jeremy Paxman, Pete Waterman and Ade Adepitan explain how their lives have benefited from British designs

Chris Beardshaw visits Devon to help Carol Cooper and her husband Stephen develop a beautiful spring woodland garden. First broadcast 17 October 2007

Eamonn McCabe traces the story of British photography, from the rapid innovation of Roger Fenton in the 1800s to the satirical eye of Martin Parr in the 21st century. Here he focuses on the explosion of colour images in the late 1950s through to the ongoing impact of the digital revolution

Conclusion. Dan Snow examines the ways in which the Celts saved Britain from cultural oblivion during the Dark Ages. He follows in the footsteps of Ireland's earliest missionaries as they ventured through treacherous barbarian territory, bringing literacy and technology to the future nations of Scotland and England