One Foot in the Past is a British television series on BBC2 that ran from 1993 to 2000. It considered conservation in, and the architecture, heritage and history of, the British Isles and, in three episodes, France, Italy and India. The series was a magazine programme. Each programme ran for 30 minutes.
From 16 April 1999, the series was part of the History Zone.
The series was subsequently broadcast outside the United Kingdom on BBC World.
Production
The series was conceived by Roland Keating.
The programme had a segment called "Ruin of the Week".
Finds and preservation
The series found the remains of Euston Arch and some of the remains of Skylon. This search for Euston Arch was the subject of the programme The Lost Arch (BBC2, 28 February 1994).
The series prevented the demolition of Bankside Power Station by mobilising public opinion against the demolition.
Presenters
Presenters included Kirsty Wark and also: Joan Bakewell Roger Bowdler Dan Cruickshank Philippa Gregory Lucinda Lambton Jonathan Meades Elain Harwood
Episodes
There are eight series, and there are a number of special episodes that are not included in those eight series. There are two series of repeats of portions of episodes, and a number of other edited repeats that are not included in those two series.
Series 1
This series did not assume that pro-conservationist ideas must be right. Episode 1: 4 June 1993. This episode includes Bolton Abbey, and announced the discovery of some of the remains of Euston Arch. The music was by Roger Bolton. Episode 2: 11 June 1993. Episode 3: 18 June 1993. This episode includes Bankside Power Station. Episode 4: 25 June 1993 Episode 5: 2 July 1993. This episode includes Bolton Abbey and the Albert Memorial. Episode 6: 9 July 1993. This episode includes St George's Hall in Windsor Castle. Episode 7: 16 July 1993. This episode includes the Midland Grand Hotel. Episode 8: 23 July 1993. This episode includes Chillingham Castle and the Scott Monument.
Repeats of segments of episodes of Series 1
Ruins. 13 September 1993.
List It
3 April 1994. The title of this episode is List It.
Series 2
Episode 1: 7 June 1994. This episode includes Euston Arch. Episode 2: 14 June 1994. This episode includes Brooklands and the House in the Rock at Knaresborough. 21 June 1994, BBC1, 8:30pm. The title of this episode is The Other House of Windsor, and it is about Villa Windsor. 21 June 1994, BBC2, 9:45pm. This episode includes the Palace of Westminster. 5 July 1994. This episode includes Filey. 12 July 1994. 19 July 1994. 26 July 1994. 2 August 1994. This episode includes Portmeirion. 9 August 1994. This episode includes Brooklands and Skylon. 16 August 1994.
A Very Modern Love Affair? 12 April 1995: The title of this episode is A Very Modern Love Affair?
Series 3
Episode 1: 13 July 1995. This episode includes Westminster Abbey. Episode 2: 20 July 1995. This episode includes Hampton Court and Temple Newsam House. Episode 3: 27 July 1995. This episode includes Brodsworth House and the Elfin Oak. Episode 4: 3 August 1995. Episode 5: 17 August 1995. This episode includes Kelmscott Manor and St Bartholomew's Hospital. Episode 6: 24 August 1995. This episode includes Folly Farm in Berkshire. Episode 7: 31 August 1995. The title of this episode is The Baedeker Blitz. Episode 8: 7 September 1995. Episode 9: 14 September 1995. This episode includes Birmingham Town Hall and Euston Arch.
Brunel
17 November 1995. The title of this episode is Brunel. An episode on Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Part of a season on engineering. Repeated on 2 April 1996.
Series 4
This series has nine episodes. Episode 1: 30 May 1996. This episode includes Hampton Court. Episode 2: 6 June 1996. This episode includes the Midland Hotel, Morecambe and Wormwood Scrubs. Episode 3: 13 June 1996. This episode includes Stoodley Pike. Episode 4: 20 June 1996. This episode includes Cliveden and the Tower of London. Episode 5: 27 June 1996. This episode includes Clouds Hill. Episode 6: 4 July 1996. This episode includes Birnbeck Pier. Episode 7: 11 July 1996. This episode includes the Palace of Whitehall. Episode 8: 18 July 1996. This episode includes Claybury Asylum, the Llangollen Steam Railway, and Roker Park. The segments on Claybury Asylum and Roker Park were postponed from 11 July. Episode 9: 8 August 1996. This episode includes Castle Leslie and the Firth of Forth Bridge. The segment on the Firth of Forth Bridge was postponed from 27 June.