The new map is part of UK-wide project to celebrate history of the BBC as it marks its centenary.

From the inspiration for Dr Who’s TARDIS to the filming location for CBBC’s Balamory, the people, places and buildings that have defined the BBC have been highlighted as part of a new digital map available this autumn.

Today (13 October), Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Historic Environment Division, Northern Ireland Communities Department and Cadw, launch a new interactive map of 100 buildings and places around the UK, to celebrate 100 years of the BBC.

The map offers insight into the diversity of sites across the UK that are key to the history of the BBC – from famous studios to iconic broadcast locations, including 13 sites in Scotland. These include the colourful facades of Main Street in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, which provided the inspiration and locations for CBBC’s Balamory series; The Lodberrie in Shetland, built as a merchant trading post and now best known as the house of Detective Inspector Perez from the BBC drama Shetland; and the Police Box in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street, one of four that remain in the city which are known for their role as Doctor Who's TARDIS.

There are four key themes to explore on the map:

  • Programmes that bring us together – Celebrating the programmes that we have listened to and watched together, from Sir David Attenborough at the BBC Studios Natural History Unit in Broadcasting House Bristol to the magnificent Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the venue of the Strictly Come Dancing live semi-final show each year.
  • Iconic broadcasting buildings – BBC television and radio programmes have been, and continue to be, made in striking buildings around the UK, from state-of-the-art sound studios to dramatic filming locations. Early studios were often in adapted buildings like 31 Linenhall Street, Belfast, a former linen warehouse. Then the BBC created specially designed, state-of-the-art buildings such as Broadcasting House, London, which opened in 1932 and Television Centre in 1960.
  • Technology that transforms our lives – Innovative broadcast technology has changed our lives over the past 100 years, from the first signals sent to the radio set in our homes to digital broadcasting becoming available on the smart phone in our pockets. You might know the first regular high-definition television service was broadcast from Alexandra Palace in 1936, but did you know the world’s first purpose-built radio factory is Marconi’s in Chelmsford?
  • People in a diverse and changing Britain – Learn more about the people behind the places. From Shibden Hall, where the popular drama Gentleman Jack was filmed at Anne Lister’s own home to 16c Brunswick Park in Camberwell, London where the BBC’s first Black woman broadcaster and producer, Una Marson lived, marked now by a special plaque.

Find all these places and more on the 100 BBC Places map.

Go to the map

Click on a pin to discover its BBC story and learn more about historic buildings and places across the UK.

extracted from HES website - read more here

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