It is impossible to exaggerate what a fascinating, uplifting, and enjoyable series this is.
Alec Clifton-Taylor visits 18 historic towns, examines their architecture, and charts not only the way in which history has shaped the structure of each town but how it's location has determined the materials used and how they in turn have contributed to the town's look and feel.
He wears his erudition lightly and has a naturally sunny delivery and disposition that lights up the subject - qualities that made the series hugely popular at the time. He is an absolute joy to listen to.
Of course it would never be made now: a white, geriatric, highly knowledgeable, articulate Englishman speaking fascinatingly in perfectly modulated RP about county-town architecture without continual thumping background music would give the 13-year olds in the commissioning department a fit of the vapours.
Over the 18 episodes there is only one black mark and that applies only to the last 6 episodes: awful music. The first 12 have minimal music which is very pleasant and highly appropriate. In the last 6, thanks to a different producer, we are assaulted by specially written music of truly appalling banality and unsuitability which is played far too extensively. Thankfully Prof Clifton-Taylor makes this suffering more than worthwhile.
In short, if you have even a moderate interest in English history or geography or in attractive buildings I would urge you to try this series.
It is a great sadness that Alec Clifton-Taylor died before more programmes could be made.
