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Pagans and Pilgrims: Britain's Holiest Places

Ifor ap Glyn

Eric Harwood

Nick Watts

Nia Dryhurst

Pagans and Pilgrims: Britain's Holiest Places: Episode 1: Ruins

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Ruins

Episode 1

Episode 1: Ruins

BBC Four - Pagans and Pilgrims: Britain's Holiest Places, Ruins

Ifor ap Glyn asks why we are drawn to holy ruins long after their religious use is over.

Series exploring Britain's sacred sites. Ifor ap Glyn asks whether it is nostalgia or something deeper that draws us to holy ruins long after their religious use is over.

Presenter and Welsh poet Ifor ap Glyn explores the wealth of Britain's extraordinary holy places on a pilgrimage that spans almost 2,000 years of history. 

Travelling across the breadth of the UK, Ifor uncovers the stories and rich history behind many of our most famous sites, explaining the myths and legends of some of Britain's most sacred places. Over six episodes, Ifor visits crumbling ruins, tranquil healing pools, sacred caves, island refuges, towering mountain hideaways and ancient shrines to find out what these historical sites tell us about who we are today. From the divine to the unexpected, the series uncovers Britain's extraordinary variety of inspirational, surprising and half-forgotten holy places and brings to life our spiritual history.

In the first episode, Ifor explores why ruins are among the best-preserved and most-loved holy sites in Britain. He visits the famous ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, the mystical atmosphere of Wales's best-preserved Roman site, the battered remains of Coventry's iconic cathedral and the Gothic majesty of North Yorkshire's Whitby Abbey - the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's Dracula. Along the way, he asks why we're drawn to holy ruins long after their religious use is over. Is it just nostalgia or something much deeper that fuels our obsession and enduring fascination with the decaying grandeur of a ruin?

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Series exploring Britain's glorious sacred sites

Series exploring Britain's glorious sacred sites in a landscape journey that reveals inspirational, surprising and half-forgotten holy places which bring to life our spiritual history.

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Episode 1: Ruins

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