What Was Everyday Life Like For An Edwardian Shopkeeper? | Turn Back Time: The High Street

The butcher, the baker, the grocer and the ironmonger are joined by a dressmaker, and together they must provide a modern town with the exceptional service and luxuriant shop displays worthy of the Edwardians.

The baker's family find themselves running an Edwardian tea shop, while the butchers must sell game in all its gory glory to modern customers. The grocer has trained staff, but the challenge of creating an early 20th century wedding breakfast piles on the pressure.

All the shopkeepers struggle with maintaining standards, and it becomes clear that underneath its glossy veneer the Edwardian high street was a tough place for women and children. The arrival of call-up papers reminds the traders and the town of the terrible impact that World War One had on Britain's communities.

[lisaburton]

The little old lady in every show is truly a gem and it just makes her so happy to be able to go back in time. Bless her heart.

[oncoucharrest]

The butcher’s son is fabulous. He seems very mature for his age and appeared to enjoy his time in the different eras. Good for him!!

[himboprince]

I started crying when Caroline started crying and said the words “He’s not going. He’s 15.” She had to face the reality many mothers did, having to send away their young boys to the war knowing they likely wouldn’t return. Very powerful scene

[gilaschannel]

My great aunt, who was born in 1892 (and lived for 92 years), had to leave school at the age of 13 and start working for a dressmaker during Edwardian times. She remembered making whalebone corsets and life was hard in those days.

[bernadetterocha]

I feel like these kinds of neighborhoods should be everywhere partly for tourism, but also for education purposes. School districts could even work with them for hands on learning field trips. Would love to visit something like this.

[MirandaMilner]

I was so thrilled to see the dress maker. I'm a huge historical sewing nerd, and I'm sitting here sewing a dress as a watch this.

[jacquelinecallejas]

I felt guilty but I laughed when Caroline's closing statement about never wanting to deal with making cakes again immediately followed by "Next time Caroline opens a cake shop!" Are we sure this is a history channel and not a prank show?

[jbos]

The part where the men went to war was touching. The true story was so much worse but we should be reminded. We should never forget.

[HaesslichG]

57:08 - someone was tempting fate. I love how it was followed up with "Next time, Caroline opens a cake shop."

[JoMarieM]

I enjoyed both the Victorian episode and this Edwardian one. I really like this program, and I wish we had something like it here in the US. It seems like in the States, our reality shows mostly consist of cramming people together in tense situations until they explode, while in these British shows, I've yet to hear a single person raise their voice to anybody. Plus, these shows are not only fascinating and show what life was really like in a particular era, but they also have some educational value, too!

[only_donna]

Man, I thought I was about to binge watch this whole series. Didn't realize this was only the second episode and it came out yesterday. Geesh. Binge watching has spoiled me.

[she-hulkim]

I have an 11 year old and that boys reaction to bicycles and immediately riding a bicycle while the boss is gone is definitely spot on. This was so funny to me!

[kristenungstad]

The reactions of the people at the butcher's really show how derached we have become from our food.

[yellowsuncat]

Those young men who gave their lives will never be forgotten. Breaks my heart that so many were lost or injured. 🕊💔

[MegaMetroGirl]

This series was created to terrorize an artisan bread baker. "Most of the eras
were covering include cakes and pretty desserts, not bread. What bread is offered is only made by men. I know, let's bring in an artisan bread baker with a husband who can't bake. Brilliant, absolutely Brilliant."

[IRosamelia]

Who else shed a tear with Caroline when news arrived of her teenage son Jack getting drafted and killed in the great war?

[TheSpecio]

This film was not only entertaining but also fascinating, it gave a really deep and understanding insight into a bygone era that you just can't get with books and museums.
I am thrilled!

[amyrivers]

I have to say well done to the butchers son Michael. The skills he showed are really needed in this day and age. His parents must be proud of him and his attitude as a lot of kids his age would complain about doing a show like this.

[wdjones]

This is such a great series!!!! Why can’t all the episodes be on YouTube to binge Bring on the 30s! I can hardly wait to see the cakes❤️👍🏻🤞🏻

[littleanchovy]

michael: icing is actually one of my strong suits

michael also: 48:06