In the series Tony Robinson and a team of historians visit four widely contrasting places in the United Kingdom to find out why they are there and how they have changed. With the help of local experts and children from nearby primary schools, he explores maps, documents and other evidence that tells the story of each settlement. He then suggests ways in which viewers could undertake a similar quest.

The Tony Robinson's Local History Search package consists of a video and a Resource Book, which contains photographs and maps to support the themes covered by the programmes - agriculture, industry, transport and defence.