Roman centurion, Murray Edwards, watching EHTV on a lap-top at Wroxeter Roman City. Courtesy English Heritage

As the plethora of news channels and the call for on-demand TV permeates our lives, one of the venerable guardians of the nation’s built heritage is keeping up with current trends and technical developments by launching its very own on-demand TV service.

English Heritage has teamed up with the History Channel to launch EHTV, to allow everyone with internet access to watch and download history programmes for free via the English Heritage website.

Users of the new free service will be able to access a variety of enlightening programmes about England’s rich history, all at a click of a mouse.

“EHTV is the ultimate history resource,” explained Dan Wolfe, English Heritage’s marketing director. “It is for anyone who’s ever wanted to witness some of England’s greatest moments in history, go behind the scenes of the country’s most treasured properties, or wondered what goes on at conservation sites.”

1066 Battle of Hastings presented by Dan Snow is alreeady a favourite on EHTV.

Sponsored by the History Channel and hosted on www.english-heritage.org.uk/ehtv, English Heritage say the new free service offers accurate information on the past whilst offering the chance to ‘access all areas’ of English Heritage on demand, 24 hours a day.

The films, which vary from the serious to the light-hearted include a documentary about the tunnels below Dover Castle, earnest investigations of conservation and tongue-in-cheek ‘How To’ guides offering tips on how to lay siege to a medieval castle or catch a rat the 13th-century way.

Amongst the current favourites with viewers who have accessed the service are How to Fire a Bow and Arrow, 1066 Battle of Hastings Presented by Dan Snow and Bill Bailey’s Stonehenge.

“We’ve put together a collection of original programmes, presenting reliable and accurate historical content in a format that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere,” added Dan Wolfe. “Whether you’re a history buff or beginner, young child or grandparent, we want EHTV to entertain, educate and, most of all, share our expertise and excitement about our heritage with a wider audience.”