Monty Don is set to take a step back in time for a new series exploring 400 years of Britain’s green-fingered heritage.

The Gardeners’ World presenter will host the programme for the BBC called The Secret History Of The British Garden, which will look at how trends have changed and been affected by politics, war, religion, archaeology, medicine and Britain’s evolving tastes in food, design, sculpture and fashion.

In four hour-long episodes, TV favourite Monty will work his way through gardening styles from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Monty Don Gardeners' World
Monty Don will explore gardens of the past (BBC)

The first episode will see him visit the last surviving garden from the 1600s, Levens Hall in the Lake District.

Mark Bell, BBC head of commissioning for arts, said: “This is BBC Two doing what the channel does best – bringing the past times of one of the nation’s favourite pastimes to our screens. In turning over the detail of Great British garden design, Monty uncovers the artistic highpoints and cultural legacy of our greatest shapers of the world outside the window.”

Monty added: “My journey through 500 years of British garden history has been fascinating. Not only has it unravelled the horticultural narrative of our unique gardening history but it has also been filled with insights into our social, political and cultural life that stretches into every corner of human behaviour right to the present day.”

The Secret History Of The British Garden will air on BBC Two later this year.