'In the 1850s English architects tried to find a style that would go with steam and glass and cast iron and they chose Gothic. In 1850 Gothic was the equivalent of what was "contemporary" in 1950.'

In the second of four programmes Sir John Betjeman looks at the work of William Butterfield, G.E. Street and Gilbert Scott

"I like to see a man defend his favourites with infectious zest... I should say that Sir John expresses innocence more eloquently, more joyously, than any performer we know." (Sunday Times)
"...one grows cataracts with familiarity and I am happy to be escorted by John Betjeman in this series on Victorian architects and Victorian architecture" (The Guardian)