How We Built Britain

Terry Deary is one of Britain's most prolific authors of children's books and writer of the Horrible Histories series. Despite living in the county, Terry has never written a Horrible History of Durham.

Terry sets off on a quest to find the defining buildings of Durham, and in the process research his book.

He finds that this vibrant city, with medieval streets and a World Heritage site at its centre, is pulled in two directions. Durham must preserve the old, and embrace the new.

Terry talks to Christopher Downs, an architect to find out his opinion.

Terry discovers a wealth of ancient and modern living side by side. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Terry looks for the people and the tower blocks that have shaped the city. He explores how buildings affect our psychology, how their iconic status may blind us to realities.

Ever the iconoclast, Terry also thinks that the ancient should be functional in a modern city. His final thought considers whether the city has pulled this off, or could it do more?

With this thought in mind Terry asks the people of Durham their opinion.

BBC Radio Newcastle's debate

Terry joined a debate about your thoughts on Durham's architecture on BBC Radio Newcastle. Listen again to the debate here: