Coal House

This fascinating living history series transports three families back to 1944 and the Second World War. Having given up their comfortable lives, they are faced with the many hardships that war presented. The families experience all aspects of life as it was in 1944. The men work long, punishing days down the coalmine, followed by tending the Stack Square shared allotment as people were encouraged to ‘Dig for Victory’ to overcome food shortages. They also have to endure the arduous Home Guard training, each getting a taste of army life and discipline. The women have to juggle their relentless household chores with compulsory work at the munitions factory, undertaking a variety of different tasks for the war effort. The children, meanwhile, have their own worries with daily doses of cod liver oil and the ever present threat that their pet rabbits may be served up for dinner.

1. E1. Episode 1

   Oct 19, 2009 · 30m

   Deep in the Welsh valleys, three families give up their 21st century creature comforts and time-travel back to 1944 to face the hardships of life in World War II. Will the community survive without a microwave, mobile, fast car or fast food?

2. E2. Episode 2

   Oct 26, 2009 · 30m

   The families settle into the punishing routine of 1944. The men face a tough training period to equip them for life at the coal face and in the Home Guard. The children cope with school and discipline, and the women face the dangers of the munitions factory as well as running the home.

3. E3. Episode 3

   Nov 2, 2009 · 30m

   Three Welsh families time travel back to 1944 to face the hardships of life in World War II. The women struggle to impress at the factory and the children find it tough at school.

4. E4. Episode 4

   Nov 9, 2009 · 30m

   At the end of the first week in the Coal House, how are the children coping with no playstations or mobiles to occupy them? There's a strict school system to contend with and a daily dose of cod liver oil to swallow. Will they pass the school cleanliness inspection, and how will they get on with the animals at Stack Square?

5. E5. Episode 5

   Nov 16, 2009 · 30m

   The weekend arrives, and with it, a welcome break from work. While the men go to football training, the women go to the hair salon. Just as they start to think they are adjusting to life in the Coal House, however, there are more arrivals..

6. E6. Episode 6

   Nov 23, 2009 · 30m

   Tensions run high when the workers turn up late to the mine and munitions factory. Whilst their bonuses are under threat, wartime shortages take a grip and the families battle to cope without electricity.

+6 more episodes — open all seasons to browse every episode.