Flying Across Britain with Arthur Williams (Channel 4/HD | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Sunday 5th August 2018)

Arthur Williams used to be a Royal Marine, but eight years ago he realised his life-long ambition to learn to fly, and is now the proud owner of a tiny – and very yellow – aeroplane. Together, they’re off on an amazing aerial adventure – a grand exploration of Britain from the air. As Arthur admits, ‘when you’re a thousand feet up and the sun is shining’ there are worse places to be. It’s Arthur’s biggest challenge as a solo pilot. From the west coast of Scotland to the big skies of East Anglia, he’s tackling wind, mountains and the world’s busiest city airspace. A bespoke camera rig on his 1943 Piper Cub captures his unique journey across the country. Over four programmes, Arthur stops off at wartime airbases, stately homes and grass strips on remote islands. In the first episode, Arthur covers the rolling hills, lush fields and open plains of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.

Hidden Britain by Drone (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 5th August 2018)

Britain is full of places that are hidden from public view, with their secrets locked away behind high walls and heavy gates… until now. History and travel enthusiast Sir Tony Robinson uses the latest aerial filming technology to reveal new aspects of our country in a completely different way. Dispatching flying cameras of many shapes and sizes, Tony opens up the far reaches of Britain. In this episode Tony sends his drones around an immense stately home, into billionaires’ underground wine vaults and around an abandoned theme park. The drones discover the backroom secrets of Argos and a stunning flower farm in full bloom, which is hidden away for 50 weeks of the year.

Saving Poundstretcher (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 6th August 2018)

As the crisis on Britain’s high streets grows, big brands are going bust or axing stores and thousands of jobs. Poundstretcher, one of Britain’s oldest discount stores, is caught up in the maelstrom. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the family-owned chain, with 6000 jobs, the family’s fortune tied up in the business and the public relying on it; for many, on a budget, it’s a lifeline. In need of expert help, Aziz Tayub and his three sons bring in retail guru Chris Edwards as a new CEO. His brief: to save the company. Chris built his own chain of discount stores, Poundworld, from nothing, eventually selling two years ago for more than £150 million, so he’s familiar with the problems the company faces. But he’s surprised by how bad things are: ‘If all the stores are like this then I would have said to Aziz you’re wasting your time!’.

Mackintosh’s Tea Room (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm 10:00pm | Tuesday 7th August 2018)

Documentary following Glasgow businesswoman Celia Sinclair on her mission to rescue the old Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street – one of the earlier works of artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh – and restore them to their former glory. Celia was inspired by pioneering Glasgow businesswoman Miss Cranston, who in 1903 commissioned the young and still largely unknown Mackintosh to design the luxurious, cutting-edge tea rooms with iconic chairs, tables, wall decorations and chandeliers. Celia bought the remains of the old Willow Tea Rooms building on Sauchiehall Street to save it for Glasgow and had a grand vision to reopen in time for Mackintosh’s 150th birthday in 2018.

M1: The Motorway That Made Britain (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 8th August 2018)

The M1 is about to turn 60. This film celebrates how Britain’s first major motorway transformed the lives of millions of people and became the backbone of a nation. Told through the eyes of the people who use the motorway every day, and the people who work round the clock to keep it moving, this is the story of how the M1 helped to build modern Britain.

Britain by Bike with Larry and George Lamb (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 10th August 2018)

Travelogue series with father-and-son duo Larry and George Lamb, exploring Britain’s most spectacular cycle routes from the saddle. Larry is able to indulge his passion for Roman history as he and George cycle along a section of Hadrians Wall and visit the Vindolanda archaeological site. They also spend a night in a haunted castle.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.