The world's first superhighway that carried goods and ideas between Europe and China.
Covering 5,000 miles, passing through 13 countries and crossing some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet, this is the fascinating story of the lucrative trade route which changed the course of civilization forever.
In this extraordinary documentary series, Dr Sam Willis explores how the fortunes, ideas and history of the West were shaped and exchanged by travelers from the East.
Watch The Silk Road and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
More documentaries you might like...
Exploring India with Bettany Hughes
Bettany Hughes guides viewers through her curated selection of India’`s finest treasures.
Men for Sale: Life of a Male Escort
Ben Zand takes a journey through the intriguing and secretive world of male escorts.
Camilla's Country Life
Following Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall as she guest edits Country Life.
Arthur: King of the Britons
Why do so many myths and stories surround King Arthur? And did he even exist?
The Mormons Are Coming
Three young Mormons start a life-changing experience as missionaries in Britain.
The Story Of The London Underground
The history of the London’s complex, confusing and vital underground train system.
The Story of Egypt
The rise and fall one of the world's greatest civilizations: the Ancient Egyptians.
Dave Harewood on Blackface: The Hidden History of Minstrelsy
Why was the abhorrent practice of Blackface minstrelsy so popular in America and Britain?
One Cup: A Thousand Stories
The history and culture of tea is explored and revealed on a scale never attempted before.
Jerusalem: The Making of a Holy City
The rise and fall and rise again of Jerusalem, one of the world’s most fascinating cities.
The Balfour Declaration: The Promise to the Holy Land
The legacy of the document that established a ‘home for Jewish people’ in Palestine.
Deck The Halls: The Luxury Christmas Decorators
Ever wish it could be Christmas every day? Get ready for some extreme festive decorating!
Sri Lanka with Alexander Armstrong
Comedian Alexander Armstrong heads to Sri Lanka to discover its fascinating culture.
The Hairy Bikers' Pubs That Built Britain
The Hairy Bikers unearth hundreds of years of history hidden in Britain's boozers.
Griff's Great Australian Rail Trip
Comedian Griff Rhys Jones travels across Australia to find the heart of the nation.
The Mysteries Of The Medieval Ship
A unique medieval ship is discovered in a Welsh river. But what secrets does it hold?
The Secret World Of Ice Cream
The ‘cold’ war fought by various global brands to dominate the UK ice cream scene.
The Secret World Of Burgers
What goes into the perfect burger and how have they changed over the years?
Who Sank The Titanic?
Who was responsible for the decisions and actions that led to the sinking of the Titanic?
Bettany Hughes' Grand Tour: From Paris to Rome
Bettany Hughes explores the culinary and cultural highlights of Paris, Rome and beyond.
Curse of the Ancients with Alice Roberts
A look back at cataclysmic events in ancient history that still have relevance today
World's Most Luxurious
Prepare to be dazzled as the world’s finest homes, hotels and transportation are explored.
Invasion
The remarkable history of 'invasion' in the British Isles spanning thousands of years.
Arthur: King of the Britons
Why do so many myths and stories surround King Arthur? And did he even exist?
South Korea with Alexander Armstrong
Alexander Armstrong explores one of the most dynamic nations on earth: South Korea.
Iceland With Alexander Armstrong
Travel to the Land of Fire and Ice to learn more about its unique nature and culture.
India's Partition: The Forgotten Story
In 1947, India was divided in two leading to violence and death. Why did it happen?
The Art Of Japanese Life
The mysterious and remarkable art and culture of Japan is explored and explained.
Renaissance Education: The Schooling Of Thomas More's Daughter
How the ideas that shaped Margaret More's education changed the cultural life of England.
Russia: 1000 Years Of History
An exploration of Russia's beginnings to its position as the biggest country in the world.
The Last Aztec
Author DBC Pierre takes a road trip across Mexico to seek the true soul of the Aztecs.
African Apocalypse
The atrocities committed by a rogue French officer in Africa are still being felt today.
Scotland: Rome's Final Frontier
The amazing story of how Scotland became the Roman Empire's toughest military challenge.
The World's Most Secret Hotels
Discover spectacular hidden gems in this travel show dedicated to the world’s most remote luxury hotels.
Rome: What Lies Beneath
Discover what the glory of the Roman Empire was really like using space-age technology
Joanna Lumley: In The Land of the Northern Lights
Can Joanna Lumley fulfill a life-long dream and track down the elusive Northern Lights?
The Normans
How the extraordinary ambition of the Normans transformed the history of Europe.
Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures
Ab Fab legend Joanna Lumley takes viewers behind the scenes of her epic travels.
Joanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon
Ab Fab's Joanna Lumley takes a personal odyssey to retrace her grandad's steps in Bhutan.
Treasures of the Indus
Ancient treasures are used to chart the fascinating history of India and Pakistan.
The Wild West
What is the truth behind the iconic figures of the Wild West – and what is pure myth?
Secrets of South America
What do money, sex, status and power mean to the young people of South America?
Secrets of China
Digging beneath the skin. What it’s really like to grow up in this secretive state?
BBC Select free trial
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History documentaries
How Mad Was King George?
King George III is remembered as a madman, but is this assessment unfair?
Byzantium: A Tale of Three Cities
Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore traces the fascinating, sacred history of Istanbul.
The Royals: A History of Scandals
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb looks into history's most scandalous British royal rumors.
JFK: The Home Movie that Changed the World
The little-known history of the actual 8mm film that captured the assassination of JFK.
Stephen Fry: Willem and Frieda - Defying the Nazis
Stephen Fry explores a remarkable story of forgery and sabotage by the Dutch Resistance.
The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England
Take a fascinating and innovative tour through the rich and poor of Elizabethan Britain.
The World War: 1914 - 1945
A new perspective on the most significant events in modern history, the two world wars.
Union with David Olusoga
Renowned historian David Olusoga reveals the stories behind the United Kingdom.
D-Day: Last Words
This unflinching documentary tells the story of 6 June 1944. The Longest Day. D-Day.
Dynasties: The Families That Changed The World
Delve into the inner workings of the world's most powerful and intriguing families.
Paradise Soldiers
Untold tales of military valor and sacrifice by decades of young Cook Islanders.
William and Harry: The Unseen Photos
Can unseen images reveal the roots of the rift between Prince Harry and Prince William?
Britain's Human Zoos
The shocking story of those trafficked from Africa for entertainment and experimentation.
David Baddiel: Jews Don't Count
Is anti-semitism taken less seriously than other forms of discrimination?
Nazi Killing Fields
Why were hundreds of innocent people murdered by the Nazis and buried in Arnsberg Forest?
Shooting War: Shall We Close Our Eyes?
The world’s top conflict photographers reflect on careers spent on the front lines.
Queen Victoria's Children
A royal family saga filled with conflict, passion, and shame. Meet the real Queen Victoria.
Vikings Uncovered
How were the Vikings so successful in forging and maintaining their vast empire?
The Thirties in Color
Color film and photographic archives give a surprising and unique insight into the 1930s.
Ancient Treasures with Bettany Hughes
Bettany Hughes discovers new archaeological finds and treasures in ancient locations.
The Windsor Castle Fire: The Untold Story
A dramatic account of the catastrophic fire that engulfed Windsor Castle in 1992.
Kidnapped: A Georgian Adventure
The story of James Annesley, whose fate inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's book Kidnapped.
Atlantis: The Evidence
Bettany Hughes shows how the legend of Atlantis was inspired by a real historical event.
The Boy Who Would Be King
Was English King Charles II a sex-obsessed hedonist or brilliant political strategist?
History of Tanks
How the development of tanks during World War I changed the course of military history.
Thomas Cromwell: A Very Modern Tudor
The spectacular rise and fall of Tudor King Henry VIII’s right hand man Thomas Cromwell.
Castles: Britain's Fortified History
Sam Willis traces the story of Britain's castles in history, art, literature, and conflict.
Phil Spencer's History of Britain in 100 Homes
The architectural history of the British Isles is explored via 100 very different houses.
Ancient Powers
How the ancient powers of classical civilization grew, thrived, and ultimately failed.
Julius Caesar Revealed with Mary Beard
World renowned historian Mary Beard is on a mission to uncover the real Julius Caesar.
Elizabeth: A Life Through the Lens
How Elizabeth II was photographed over the years and the importance of image to her reign.
The Six Queens of Henry VIII
Rediscover the Queens who shaped a King & his legacy in The Six Queens of Henry VIII, BBC's new look at the King's infamous wives.
Elizabeth: A Life Through the Lens
How Elizabeth II was photographed over the years and the importance of image to her reign.
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan's incredible journey from poverty in Mongolia to conquering Europe.
Prince Philip: The Plot To Make A King
The political maneuvers required to bring about the union of Philip and Queen Elizabeth.
Walking Through History
Take a historic tour through some of the British Isles most impressive landscapes.
Cromwell's Head
A strange, mysterious and grisly saga from a dark period of English history.
Dynasties: The Families That Changed The World
Delve into the inner workings of the world's most powerful and intriguing families.
Titanic's Tragic Twin: The Britannic Disaster
A look at how and why Titanic’s sister ship Britannic suffered a similar tragic fate.
Royal Antiques Revived
Remarkable royal items with curious pasts are restored using traditional techniques
Greeks of the Sea
With incredible wildlife and amazing seafood, Greece’s seas are truly blessed by the gods.
The Assassination of JFK
A unique retelling of the tragic death of JFK featuring expert testimony and new theories.
The Victorian Way of Death
From body-snatchers to overflowing graveyards, death in Victorian Britain is unearthed.
Royal Autopsy with Alice Roberts
Professor Alice Roberts explores the death of famous royals using 'as real' autopsies.
The Man Who Destroyed Oscar Wilde
The epic story of the famous playwright’s downfall at the hands of an old friend.
Britain's Outlaws: Highwaymen, Pirates and Rogues
Explore the fascinating world of British outlaws, rogues, pirates and highwaymen.
The Secrets of the Mary Rose
How the wreck of Henry VIII’s ship, The Mary Rose was discovered, excavated, and eventually raised from the seabed.
The Battle of Britain
Britain's war against Germany seemed lost. The Battle of Britain was their last chance.
The Story of the Jews
Historian Simon Schama explores the Jewish story from ancient times to the present day.
The Warrior Queen: Boudica
Betrayed and humiliated, Boudica took on the invading Roman army and almost defeated them.
Philippa Gregory's The Real White Queen And Her Rivals
The women at the heart of the bloody War of the Roses that helped shape British history.
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The Stuarts
The Stuart monarchs are considered merciless tyrants, but they also forged modern Britain.
Waterloo's Warriors
The story of the Battle of Waterloo using unpublished accounts from Wellington's troops.
The Queen Of Empire: Victoria
Victoria oversaw an astonishing period of change as the British Empire ruled the world.
The Rebel Queen: Eleanor of Aquitaine
The astonishing monarch who was queen of both France and England
Julius Caesar's Greatest Battle
Exploring a crucial battle during Julius Caesar's bloody campaign to conquer Gaul.
The Queen Who Would Be King
The story of Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut who did the unthinkable and declared herself king.
The Men and the Machines that Beat Hitler
The story of the Fifth Royal Tank Regiment who fought during World War II
Queens That Changed The World
A look at six powerful women who ruled their people and changed the course of history.
The Forgotten Queen: Anne
Modelling her reign on Elizabeth I, Anne was the first queen of a unified Great Britain.
The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I
Elizabeth ruled a divided nation but became one of the most powerful leaders in history.
The Real Lawrence of Arabia
Who was the man behind Lawrence of Arabia and why does he inspire such devotion today?
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette is considered decadent, uncaring, and reprehensible. But is this fair?
The Somme 1916: From Both Sides Of The Wire
Historian Peter Barton explores the bloody battle that defined the First World War.
Nelson: Britain's Great Naval Hero
The scandals, secrets, and strategies of one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes: Nelson.
The Nazis: A Warning From History
How was it possible that the cultured nation at the heart of Europe ever allowed Hitler to come to power?
Curse of the Ancients with Alice Roberts
A look back at cataclysmic events in ancient history that still have relevance today
Invasion
The remarkable history of 'invasion' in the British Isles spanning thousands of years.
Rebellion: The Stuarts In Exile
How much threat did the deposed Stuart dynasty pose to the developing British state?
Inside the Tower of London
Go behind closed doors to see how an iconic piece of British history is run today.
King George and Queen Mary: The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy
The pioneering reign of Elizabeth II's grandparents, King George and Queen Mary.
Last Battle Of The Vikings
How did the Norsemen and their presence shape the identity and culture of Scotland?
The Catacomb Mystery
Can the discovery of thousands of skeletons help unlock the secrets of the Roman Empire?
The Last Day Of World War One
Michael Palin tells the shocking true story of the last soldiers to die in World War I.
India's Partition: The Forgotten Story
In 1947, India was divided in two leading to violence and death. Why did it happen?
The Last Days Of Anne Boleyn
What led to the dramatic downfall and violent execution of Queen Anne Boleyn in 1536?
Philippa Gregory's The Real White Queen And Her Rivals
The women at the heart of the bloody War of the Roses that helped shape British history.
The Most Dangerous Man In Tudor England
The dramatic story of William Tyndale and his mission to translate the Bible into English.
Renaissance Education: The Schooling Of Thomas More's Daughter
How the ideas that shaped Margaret More's education changed the cultural life of England.
Russia: 1000 Years Of History
An exploration of Russia's beginnings to its position as the biggest country in the world.
African Apocalypse
The atrocities committed by a rogue French officer in Africa are still being felt today.
Scotland: Rome's Final Frontier
The amazing story of how Scotland became the Roman Empire's toughest military challenge.
Belsen: The Untold Story
Using survivor testimony and archive footage, the story of the infamous camp is told.
Henry VIII's Enforcer: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell
Was Thomas Cromwell a corrupt, ambitious politician or has history unfairly maligned him?
Rome: What Lies Beneath
Discover what the glory of the Roman Empire was really like using space-age technology
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The Stuarts
The Stuart monarchs are considered merciless tyrants, but they also forged modern Britain.
Image of the profile view of a pharoh
Tutankhamun: Life, Death and Legacy
Tutankhamun: Life, Death and Legacy
Image of a court in session.
Nuremburg: The Nazi Trials
Exploring one of history’s most important trials that brought Nazis to justice
Antiques Roadshow
What treasures will be found as antique experts appraise the public’s heirlooms?
The Normans
How the extraordinary ambition of the Normans transformed the history of Europe.
Return of the Black Death
Could 25 medieval skeletons help to eradicate the Bubonic plague?
Rome's Invisible City
Venture beneath the streets of Rome to explore a hidden city seen by very few
The Hector: Canada's Mayflower
The horrific story of migrants who left Scotland in 1773 to settle in Nova Scotia
Armada: The Untold Story
The fierce naval conflict between England and Spain that changed the face of Europe.
Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens
Exploring the parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and II
The Art of Gothic
Why were Brits in the 19th-century obsessed with art that was horrific, macabre and weird?
The Wild West
What is the truth behind the iconic figures of the Wild West – and what is pure myth?
Simon Schama's Shakespeare and Us
Get underneath the skin of the playwright to understand why his stories are so relevant today
Ancient Worlds
An epic quest through the birth of civili`ation and the development of humanity
Ancient Treasures with Bettany Hughes
Bettany Hughes discovers new archaeological finds and treasures in ancient locations.
The Crusades
Why were the Crusaders willing to endure pain, death and starvation in the name of God?
The Six Queens of Henry VIII
Rediscover the Queens who shaped a King & his legacy in The Six Queens of Henry VIII, BBC's new look at the King's infamous wives.
Blitz Spirit with Lucy Worsley
Hitler's Terrifying Battle of Britain Bombing. Blitz Spirit with Lucy Worsley, BBC's leading historian
Africa and Britain: A Forgotten History
From slavery to settlement, award-winning historian David Olusoga explores the history of black Britain.
Russia 1917: Countdown to Revolution
Three men rise from obscurity to unleash a bloody revolution that changed history forever.
The Persians: A History of Iran
How was the world's first empire born and what led to its ultimate destruction?
Filthy Cities
Dan Snow explores the murky histories of London, Paris and New York from the bottom up.
Archaeology: A Secret History
Better living through archeology. How can our past make sense of our present?
Vienna: Empire, Dynasty and Dream
The rise of one of the great cities and how it offers a window into power, faith and war.
The Birth of Empire: The East India Company
The world’s first megacorp. How Britain’s East India Company grew into an imperial power.
Royal Cousins at War
It makes The Crown look like Sesame Street. The bitter regal rivalries that led to war.
Genius of the Modern World
Emigres, recluses, enemies of the state. How Marx, Nietzsche and Freud changed the world.
American History's Biggest Fibs
American history is fake, fact? Historian Lucy Worlsey delves deeper into US mythology.
Suffragettes
The violence, valor and sacrifices made by the women fighting for their right to vote.
Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners
People as property: historian David Olusoga on the untold stories of British slavery.
Travel documentaries
The Travel Show
Join the Travel Show team on a journey of discovery as they explore the globe.
Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby
How some of the most luxurious hotels on Earth function and create unforgettable memories.
Bettany Hughes' Grand Tour: From Paris to Rome
Bettany Hughes explores the culinary and cultural highlights of Paris, Rome and beyond.
Grand Indian Hotel
Looking for luxury? Take an exclusive look inside some of India’s most opulent hotels.
Buckingham Palace with Alexander Armstrong
Alexander Armstrong takes a privileged look behind the scenes of Buckingham Palace.
Griff's Great Kiwi Road Trip
Comedian Griff Rhys Jones sets out to encounter all the splendor of New Zealand.
Griff's Great Australian Rail Trip
Comedian Griff Rhys Jones travels across Australia to find the heart of the nation.
Iceland With Alexander Armstrong
Travel to the Land of Fire and Ice to learn more about its unique nature and culture.
Inside The Ritz Hotel
Step inside one of the world’s most luxurious hotels where every whim is catered for.
Japan: The Way I See It
Blind broadcaster Lucy Edwards travels to Japan to experience that unique country.
The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh Ranganthan takes an African adventure and seeks out some unusual vacation spots in this quirky BAFTA award-winning travel documentary.
Griff's Canadian Adventure
Join Griff Rhys Jones on a journey across Canada as he explores culture and traditions.
Paris and Normandy with Steve Brown
Discover and experience the best destinations around the globe with the Travel Show team.
The Story of Egypt
The rise and fall one of the world's greatest civilizations: the Ancient Egyptians.
Walking Through History
Take a historic tour through some of the British Isles most impressive landscapes.
Greeks of the Sea
With incredible wildlife and amazing seafood, Greece’s seas are truly blessed by the gods.
Joanna Lumely's Spice Trail Adventure
An epic, exotic quest through the world's greatest spice locations
South Korea with Alexander Armstrong
Alexander Armstrong explores one of the most dynamic nations on earth: South Korea.
The World's Most Secret Hotels
Discover spectacular hidden gems in this travel show dedicated to the world’s most remote luxury hotels.
Joanna Lumley: In The Land of the Northern Lights
Can Joanna Lumley fulfill a life-long dream and track down the elusive Northern Lights?
Christmas in New York: Inside the Plaza
Tis the season to be swanky as the luxurious Plaza hotel gets ready for Christmas.
Christmas in London
Ever wondered what Christmas is like in one of the world's most glamorous capitals?
Secrets Of Royal Travel
The unseen luxury and decadence within the royal family’s planes and trains.
Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures
Ab Fab legend Joanna Lumley takes viewers behind the scenes of her epic travels.
Joanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon
Ab Fab's Joanna Lumley takes a personal odyssey to retrace her grandad's steps in Bhutan.
The Art of Gothic
Why were Brits in the 19th-century obsessed with art that was horrific, macabre and weird?
Secrets of South America
What do money, sex, status and power mean to the young people of South America?
Secrets of China
Digging beneath the skin. What it’s really like to grow up in this secretive state?
Cuba With Simon Reeve
Cubans reveal what life is like in the communist state as it flirts with capitalism.
Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti
Ab Fab superstar Joanna Lumley soaks up the sun, sights and sensations of Cuba and Haiti.
The World’s Most Luxurious Holidays
Need a getaway? Discover the most exclusive holiday hotspots where the mega-rich unwind.
Joanna Lumley's Trans-Siberian Adventure
From China, Mongolia and Russia with love: Join Joanna Lumley’s Trans-Siberian Adventure
The Persians: A History of Iran
How was the world's first empire born and what led to its ultimate destruction?
Archaeology: A Secret History
Better living through archeology. How can our past make sense of our present?
Joanna Lumley's Japan
A fantastic voyage around Japan with British national treasure Joanna Lumley.
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