This 6-part series started on BBC4 last May and was so popular it was later transferred to BBC2.

‘ The Boats that Built Britain’ was the flagship programme in a major new season called ‘Sea Fever’ which looked at the crucial way in which the sea has helped shape our island. My series, produced by Form Films, examined the pivotal boats 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!

Tom Cunliffe and Larry Walford, Form Films director, homeward bound on the pilot cutter Cariad after a tough day on the water.

The Matthew, a snapshot of the past	The stalwart crew of the Reaper	Roy Nelson, veteran and gentleman
The replica of Cabot’s 1497 ship, The Matthew	The Reaper – a huge, lug- rigged 1895 Scottish fishing boat	Higgins WWII Landing Craft – 1945
The glory that is Square Sail	Pickle - The bearer of good news and bad	Racing down the Bristol Channel
The Phoenix – a brig from mid-19th century	The Pickle – the replica of the 1805 schooner that brought the news of Nelson’s victory and death at Trafalgar	Olga and Cariad – two classic Edwardian pilot cutters