The Age: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Melbourne's leading newspaper.

The Age: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Melbourne's leading newspaper.

Buildings That Shaped Britain

Greg Hassall, reviewer
August 20, 2008

This episode is a long, dry and old-fashioned procession of experts.

Simon Thurley

Simon Thurley


Type
Documentary
Channel
ABC
Date
Thursday August 21
Time
6:10 PM

This episode looks at how the 18th-century agricultural revolution transformed the landscape of Britain, with fields marked out by hedges for the first time. Farming became fashionable and lucrative, leading to the creation of grand farmhouses, stables and market towns.

Meanwhile, romantic poets such as William Wordsworth inspired a love of nature with their verse and landscape designers such as Lancelot "Capability" Brown created astonishing panoramas.

Despite some wonderful images and host Simon Thurley's obvious enthusiasm, this episode is a little long, dry and old-fashioned. It's not much more than a procession of experts wandering around the countryside pointing out buildings and various other features. It's a shame more use wasn't made of computer technology to show how those buildings and landscapes were created.

When news happens:
send photos, videos & tip-offs to 0406 THE AGE (0406 843 243), or us.

Subscribe to The Age and save up to 35%*