Britain at Sea

David Dimbleby sails the south-west coastline of England, along the shores of Devon and Cornwall, in his own sailing boat, Rocket. He explores the region’s deep and varied maritime history, art and architecture. Caught up in stormy weather, he makes it to safety in the nick of time, to tell the story of Sir Francis Drake and a fantastic array of adventurers, explorers, pirates and smugglers.

Sailing the southern shore of England from Hampshire to Kent, David Dimbleby explores how Britain's seas have protected against threat from abroad throughout history. It’s a story that embraces Britain's darkest and most heroic moments. Feeling adventurous, David abseils the great iron side of the HMS Warrior to take in the engineering might of one of the most powerful battleships of its day.

Joined on his epic oceanic adventure by his son Fred, David Dimbleby follows the trade routes of the west coast of Scotland. Along these monumental channels, that cut through the Romantic Highlands, wealth and prosperity was brought to the heart of Scotland. The journey starts at Craobh Haven and takes David along the Crinan Canal, around the Isle of Bute and up the River Clyde towards Glasgow.

David Dimbleby explores the creation of a seaside holiday culture that remains unique to Great Britain. Sailing the Rocket down the Suffolk and Essex coastlines and into the Thames, he explains how after centuries of protecting and providing for Britain, the seaside became a playground for the nation. He also shows how the sea became an irresistible subject for celebrated artists.