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:

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. Repeats of segments of episodes of Series 1

List It

Series 2

A Very Modern Love Affair?

Series 3

Brunel

Series 4

This series has nine episodes.

One Foot on the Continent

Series 5

This series has nine episodes.

One Foot in Broadcasting House

Palaces of Apes

Series 6

This series has eight episodes.

Birthplace of the Beatles

Series 7

This series has seven episodes.

World War II

The following episodes were first broadcast on 4 September 1999:

One Foot in the Festival of Britain

Series 8

This series has eight episodes.

Series of repeats

Another Foot in the Past Another Foot in the Past is a series of repeats of portions of episodes, first broadcast on BBC2 from 28 November 1995 to 16 January 1997. Afoot Again in the Past Afoot Again in the Past (2002) is a series of repeats of portions of episodes, first broadcast on BBC2 from 21 January 2002 onwards.

Reception

The programme was popular. In 1994, The Architects' Journal called the programme "excellent". William Cook called the programme "sterling". Christopher Beanland said the programme had "charm". The series was criticised by Richard Morris.