The Ellis family from Bradford experience life in 1918. The Great War is over but times are hard and the family members have many aspects of life to adjust to.
The postwar years see the Ellis family on food rations, with no fridge, hot water or an electric cooker. They are joined by two new family members Sara and Polly - two chickens.
1960 marks the start of a new era of prosperity for the Ellis family. Jon does a shift down the local mine, the work is hard but the pay good. The family enjoy a holiday by the seaside.
The Ellises live through a time of dramatic change. Their 80's home is a homage to chintz and magnolia with the exciting addition of some new technology: their first telephone, and chest freezer.
The series concludes with the Ellis family reflecting on their time-travel adventure and exploring the legacy of 100 years of history on the northern diet today.