The Boats that Built Britain was the flagship programme in a major season called ‘Sea Fever’ which appeared in Spring 2010 on BBC4.  It was soon upgraded to BBC2.  The series looked at the crucial way the sea has helped shape our island.  Boats that Built Britain  examined the pivotal craft involved in Britain’s exploration, trade, fishing and defence. I sailed on board six charismatic vessels, discovered facets of the sea I never imagined, and even took to the water in a skip!

Made by award winning producers Form Films for the BBC Sea Season this 2 DVD set captures the spirit of the oceans and the boats and men that sailed them.
Covering over five hundred years of seafaring the series takes you aboard John Cabot’s ship The Matthew,  HMS Pickle -the boat that brought the news of Nelson’s death, the  square rigger Phoenix,  the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter Olga, and the stunning Scottish herring lugger Reaper, before finally putting a WW2 landing craft through its paces on the beaches of Normandy.

Filmed over an English winter, often in gale force winds, this is history told from a heaving deck, not some academic’s office!