Name: Britain's First Photo Album
Released: 2012-03-12T00:00:00.000Z
Cast: John Sergeant

TV Show · Documentary · History

John Sergeant retraces Victorian photographer Francis Frith's 1860s quest to record every corner of Britain. Travelling nationwide, he compares Frith's images with today, revealing what has changed, endured or disappeared.

2012 · 26m

Starring John Sergeant

EPISODE 1

Chelsea to Tower Bridge

John Sergeant recalls Victorian photographer Francis Frith's attempt to document Britain. In London, John finds out about the real Eliza Doolittles.
EPISODE 2

Gravesend to Broadstairs

Recalling the work of Victorian photographer Francis Frith, John Sergeant explores the North Kent coast to find out how much it has changed over a century.
EPISODE 3

Reigate to Hythe

From photographs taken in the 1860s, John Sergeant is inspired to find out the smugglers' haunts of medieval Rye and where Victorian riflemen learnt their skills.
EPISODE 4

Isle of Wight to Stonehenge

John Sergeant documents changes in Britain's towns from a perspective of photos taken in the 1860s. In this episode he observes changes at Stonehenge.
EPISODE 5

Lyme Regis to Barnstable

John Sergeant travels to the south west to find out how much has changed since Victorian photographer Francis Frith attempted to document life in Britain.
EPISODE 6

Newport to Gloucester

John Sergeant's journey continues. He finds out about the restoration of the canals of Monmouthshire and heads deep underground beneath the Forest of Dean.