The Coastal Map of Britain, 12 April 2024, Channel 5

The Coastal Map of Britain takes viewers on a swashbuckling journey through the history of Britain’s ports and coastline, revealing the stories of innovation, trade, and resilience that have shaped the nation.

The episode, which airs on Channel 5 on Friday 12 April, begins by transporting us back thousands of years to a blacksmith’s forge, where the creation of a bronze sword unveils the secrets that attracted international traders to Devon and Cornwall. Through animated maps, the programme charts the development of Britain’s coastal network over millennia, including the Roman’s strategic choice of London as the capital.

The programme highlights Britain’s defence against raiders and invaders, showcasing the legendary English longbow and its pivotal role in a significant naval battle. Henry VIII’s maps and the emergence of the Royal Navy set the stage for Elizabeth I’s exploration and expansion beyond British shores.

However, the profits that fuelled the growth of ports came at a grim human cost. The episode takes us aboard the Cutty Sark, illustrating how the race to bring tea from China shaped the fortunes of port cities. Yet, as the blacksmith hammers out, the Industrial Revolution would soon eclipse the age of sailing ships.

The programme also showcases the transition to iron-built, steam-powered behemoths, such as Brunel’s SS Great Britain, which revolutionised transatlantic travel and made seafaring accessible to a broader class of people. As the British Empire reached its peak, World War II’s Blitz threatened to destroy city docks, but they endured.

In the post-war era, a simple metal box—the shipping container—transformed global trade once more. Today, massive container ships navigate modern docks like Felixstowe, reminding us that Britain’s coastline remains its lifeblood.

The Coastal Map of Britain offers a fascinating insight into the country’s maritime history, the rise and fall of ports, and the innovations that have left their mark on the world.

The Coastal Map of Britain airs on Channel 5 at 8:00 PM on Friday, 12 April 2024.