Great British Railway Journeys

Great British Railway Journeys

2010 16 Seasons ⭐ 7.357
Documentary

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw's Britain remains.

Seasons

1. Liverpool to Eccles

2010-01-04

Ep1: Liverpool to Eccles. Michael begins his journey on the world's first passenger railway line, learns to speak Scouse in Liverpool, finds out about the first railway fatality …

2. Manchester to Bury

2010-01-05

Michael is in Manchester to find out more about George Bradshaw himself. He also gets fitted for a trilby in Denton and learns how the railways helped to create a national institu…

3. Todmorden to York

2010-01-06

Michael travels back in time on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, finds out about the latest Roman discoveries in York and takes to the air in the Network Rail helicopter.

4. Pontefract to Bridlington

2010-01-07

Michael searches for the last liquorice grower in Pontefract, discovers how the railways turned Hull into one of the largest white fish ports in the world and goes fishing for sea…

5. Filey to Scarborough

2010-01-08

Michael goes bird-watching on the wild cliffs of Flamborough Head, learns to decipher traditional knitting patterns in Filey and meets one of the oldest residents of the Victorian…

6. Preston to Morecambe

2010-01-11

Michael explores the origins of the temperance movement in Preston, samples the attractions of Blackpool, a resort made by the railways, and takes a walk across Morecambe Bay with…

7. Settle to Garsdale

2010-01-12

Michael returns to the historic Settle-Carlisle line to find out what has happened to it since he helped save it in the 1980s. Along the way, he explores the magnificent Ribblehea…

8. Windermere to Kendal

2010-01-13

Michael takes a steamboat tour of Lake Windermere, visits Wordsworth's home village of Grasmere and makes sausages with a local Herdwick sheep farmer.

9. Carlisle to Glasgow

2010-01-14

Michael meets the wild clansmen of Carlisle, the Border Reivers, witnesses a wedding in Gretna Green and visits a secret World War One munitions factory.

10. Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy

2010-01-15

Michael makes apple juice in the Clyde valley orchards, pays a thrilling visit to the top of the Forth Rail Bridge and relives his childhood memories in his grandparents' home tow…

11. Swindon to Bristol

2010-01-18

Michael finds out about free holiday trains for the GWR workers in Swindon, samples the Spa in Bath, and tries his hand at glass blowing in Bristol.

12. Yatton to Weston Super Mare

2010-01-19

Michael samples local Cheddar strawberries, explores Cheddar Gorge and the famous caves, and visits one of the oldest piers in the country at Weston Super Mare.

13. Torquay to Totnes

2010-01-20

Michael finds out about Torquay's micro climate, goes salmon fishing on the Dart estuary and spends some of Totnes' new local currency.

14. Bugle to Mevagissey

2010-01-21

Michael visits the largest clay mine in the world near St Austell, goes pilchard fishing in Mevagissey and finds out how the estate of Heligan shaped British gardens.

15. Truro to Penzance

2010-01-22

Michael searches for the lost church of St Piran, explores the last working tin mine in Cornwall and harvests oysters on the Helford River.

16. Buxton to Matlock

2010-01-25

Michael visits an architectural wonder, the Duke of Devonshire's stables in Buxton, helps to repair the ancient peat landscape of the Peak District and travels on the historic ste…

17. Cromford to Burton-on-Trent

2010-01-26

Michael visits the oldest working factory in the world at Cromford, explores the country's first public park in Derby and finds out why Burton's beer is said to be the best.

18. Walsall to Bournville

2010-01-27

Michael meets the queen's saddler in Walsall, learns how to cook an authentic Indian curry in Birmingham and visits Bournville, rumoured to be the best place to live in Britain.

19. Coventry to Watford

2010-01-28

Michael relives the Coventry Blitz, meets the last pure breed Aylesbury duck farmer in Buckinghamshire and finds out how the trains helped to evacuate millions of children during …

20. St Pancras to Westminster

2010-01-29

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of four epic journeys, he travels the length and breadth of the coun…

Top Cast

Michael Portillo
Michael Portillo

Similar Shows

Great Alaskan Railroad Journeys

Great Alaskan Railroad Journeys

Great Canadian Railway Journeys

Great Canadian Railway Journeys

The 800 Million Pound Railway Station

The 800 Million Pound Railway Station

Railway Adventures Across Australia

Railway Adventures Across Australia

Secrets of the Railways

Secrets of the Railways

Great Continental Railway Journeys

Great Continental Railway Journeys

The Railway: Keeping Britain On Track

The Railway: Keeping Britain On Track

Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank

Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank

Around the World by Train With Tony Robinson

Around the World by Train With Tony Robinson

Rail Away

Rail Away

Trains That Changed the World

Trains That Changed the World

How Trains Changed the World

How Trains Changed the World