Original version

BBC Two Northern Ireland

BBC Two Scotland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

The Charles Dickens Show

The Charles Dickens Show: Episode 1: The Workhouse

Learning

Learning: Primary

The Workhouse

Episode 1

Episode 1: The Workhouse

BBC Two - The Charles Dickens Show, The Workhouse

Charles and Doctor Thomas Barnardo discuss the Victorian phenomenon of the workhouse.

Charles Dickens hosts a chat show. He is joined by fundraising virtuoso Doctor Thomas Barnardo to discuss the Victorian phenomenon of the workhouse.

Live from the 19th century, Charles Dickens hosts a chat show. His famous Victorian guests include Doctor Barnardo, Mary Seacole and Queen Victoria.

With a nod to popular magazine programmes like The One Show - and recorded in its London studio - The Charles Dickens Show sees the celebrated author interview A-list guests of the Victorian era, like reformers Lord Shaftesbury and Dr Thomas Barnardo, nurses Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, and even Queen Victoria herself.

What was life really like for Victorians? The Charles Dickens Show bursts with shocks, laughs and fascinating facts. Dickens, his roving reporter Nelly and a string of famous guests telly-port us back into a world that's dirty, dangerous and often deeply strange. Special reports include a video diary shot undercover by an orphan in a workhouse; interviews with mudlarks and purefinders on London's mean streets; Ask The Doctors, where Joseph Lister takes on the traditionalists; and Mrs Beeton's guide to Christmas Day.  
 
In this episode, Dickens is joined by fundraising virtuoso Doctor Thomas Barnardo to discuss the Victorian phenomenon of the workhouse. He hears from Billy, an orphan who has lived in one for two years, and chief cook Mrs Burble takes him through a typical workhouse menu.

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Live from the 19th century, Charles Dickens hosts a chat show.

Live from the 19th century, Charles Dickens hosts a chat show. The celebrated author interviews various A-list guests of the Victorian era

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Charles Dickens Show

Episode 1: The Workhouse

Genres

Series

BBC Two Northern Ireland

About BBC Two