Browse episode ratings trends for Great British Ships. Simply click on the interactive rating graph to explore the best and worst of Great British Ships's 12 episodes.
Best Episodes of Great British Ships
The Mayflower
S2 Ep4
9.0
15th Nov 2019
The Mayflower transported the first English Puritans from Plymouth to the New World in 1620. The Pilgrims and the ship's crew crew overcame almost impossible odds to establish a colony, which ultimately gave birth to the United States of America. Taking to the waters off the New England coast, Rob Bell recounts the dramatic story of the Mayflower's 66-day crossing, as she endured high seas and monstrous storms. In Mystic,Connecticut, Rob explores a full-sized replica of the Mayflower and in Plymouth, Massachusetts, unfolds the story of the ship's arrival in the New World.
Scott & Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure: The Discovery
S2 Ep3
8.5
2nd Nov 2019
Rob Bell boards the ship that kick started the age of polar exploration as he looks at the history of RRS Discovery, the world's first purpose-built scientific vessel. Heading to the Victorian shipbuilding capital of Dundee, Rob finds out why this was the only place in Britain that could make a ship capable of taking on the formidable ice floes of Antarctica, and tells the story of how a chance meeting in London would define the course of polar exploration.
HMS Ark Royal
S2 Ep6
8.0
17th Feb 2020
Rob Bell tells the dramatic story of the Second World War aircraft carrier, which hunted down some of Nazi Germany's most feared warships.
Worst Episodes of Great British Ships
HMS Victory: Nelson's Great Warship
S1 Ep1
5.7
20th Sep 2018
HMS Victory was already 40 years old before it secured its place in history at Trafalgar. Rob discovers the extraordinary feats of engineering behind its construction, and the celebrity of its famous captain, Nelson.
Secrets of SS Great Britain
S1 Ep4
6.0
12th Dec 2018
In the final part of his documentary series, Rob Bell uncovers the extraordinary story behind what was once the longest passenger ship in the world. Designed by Victorian engineering genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain rewrote the shipbuilding rulebook, pioneering innovations still found on almost all modern ships. Rob learns how the origins of the vast vessel lay in an off-the-cuff boast of Brunel's. Though the ship's early years were plagued by disaster, it finally met with success thanks to the Australian gold rush - and today 250,000 Australians can trace their direct ancestors to its passengers.
The Mary Rose: Secrets From the Deep
S1 Ep2
6.5
27th Sep 2018
Henry VIII's great warship went down nearly 500 years ago.
Great British Ships Episode Guide
HMS Victory: Nelson's Great Warship
S1 Ep1
5.7
20th Sep 2018
HMS Victory was already 40 years old before it secured its place in history at Trafalgar. Rob discovers the extraordinary feats of engineering behind its construction, and the celebrity of its famous captain, Nelson.
The Mary Rose: Secrets From the Deep
S1 Ep2
6.5
27th Sep 2018
Henry VIII's great warship went down nearly 500 years ago.
HMS Belfast: WW2's Great Survivor
S1 Ep3
7.3
5th Dec 2018
Rob Bell delves into the fascinating history of HMS Belfast, the cruiser that played a critical role in some of the most dramatic battles of World War 2, and whose daring deeds helped defeat the Nazis.
Secrets of SS Great Britain
S1 Ep4
6.0
12th Dec 2018
In the final part of his documentary series, Rob Bell uncovers the extraordinary story behind what was once the longest passenger ship in the world. Designed by Victorian engineering genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain rewrote the shipbuilding rulebook, pioneering innovations still found on almost all modern ships. Rob learns how the origins of the vast vessel lay in an off-the-cuff boast of Brunel's. Though the ship's early years were plagued by disaster, it finally met with success thanks to the Australian gold rush - and today 250,000 Australians can trace their direct ancestors to its passengers.
Cutty Sark: 150 Years of War & Speed
S1 Ep5
5th Jan 2019
Rob Bell explores the extraordinary tea clipper Cutty Sark, a ship that endured drunken captains and murderous crews, inspired a whiskey and survived the coming of the steam age. Rob clambers aboard to experience first-hand the beauty and superior design of the ship. He delves into her tragic past - the vagabond years of `tramping', mistreatment by her captains and desertion by her crews
Golden Hinde: Drake's Royal Voyager
S1 Ep6
19th Jan 2019
Rob Bell explores the extraordinary story of the Golden Hinde, the flagship of Elizabethan mariner, privateer and explorer Sir Francis Drake. Sent on a secret mission to plunder Spanish ships in the Pacific, the Golden Hinde's voyage was packed with adventure, from witchcraft and attempted mutiny to the supreme triumph of her most famous achievement, becoming the first English ship to sail around the world.
Visiting the ships as they stand today, Rob Bell will reveal how and why these monumental vessels were originally built. He’ll uncover a murder on board on the Cutty Sark, reveal the mystery of why the Mary Rose sank and discover how HMS Belfast helped turn the tide on D-Day. From Nelson on board HMS Victory to Sir Francis Drake on the Golden Hind, Rob will reveal how daring, genius and dazzling invention led to Britain becoming the world’s greatest sea power.
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The best rated episodes of Great British Ships are:
The Mayflower S2E4 rated 9.0
Scott & Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure: The Discovery S2E3 rated 8.5
HMS Ark Royal S2E6 rated 8.0
The lowest rated episodes of Great British Ships are:
HMS Victory: Nelson's Great Warship S1E1 rated 5.7
Secrets of SS Great Britain S1E4 rated 6.0
The Mary Rose: Secrets From the Deep S1E2 rated 6.5
The first episode of Great British Ships aired on September 20, 2018.
The last episode of Great British Ships aired on February 17, 2020.
