Great British Railway Journeys

Series 11

Michael Portillo makes various railway journeys across the UK, using a 150-year-old Bradshaw's Guide (a collection of railway timetables and a guidebook). He looks at the history, culture and industry of the towns that he passes through, and the way that things have changed since Bradshaw wrote his Guide.

Where to Watch Series 11

15 Episodes

Newcastle to County Durham
E1
Newcastle to County DurhamBeginning just outside Newcastle in Jarrow, Michael uncovers the desperation which led 200 men to march 300 miles to Westminster in order to petition the Government for work. In Newcastle, Michael admires the city's iconic railway bridge.
Kielder Forest to Edinburgh
E2
Kielder Forest to EdinburghSteered by his 1936 Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo is in Northumbria en route to the Highlands.
Falkirk to Dundee
E3
Falkirk to DundeeMichael Portillo's railway journey through 1930s Britain from Newcastle to Loch Ness reaches Falkirk in Scotland.
Dundee to Aberdeen
E4
Dundee to AberdeenStopping at Dundee, Michael Portillo heads for Glamis Castle, where Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother, grew up.
Elgin to Loch Ness
E5
Elgin to Loch NessMichael Portillo's journey ends at Loch Ness, where he joins the Deep Scan research team as they scour the deep for signs of the elusive monster.
St Ives to St Day
E6
St Ives to St DayMichael Portillo explores the West Country between the wars and discovers a Cornish fisherman, who, although he began painting only in his seventies, inspired established artists from the capital.
Truro to St Mawgan
E7
Truro to St MawganIn the countryside surrounding Truro, Michael finds the historic estate of Trewithen, whose gardens were stocked from China by professional plant hunters commissioned by its owner.
Bodmin to Totnes
E8
Bodmin to TotnesClutching his 1930s Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo reaches Bodmin en route to Totnes as he explores the West Country from St Ives to Salisbury Plain.
Paignton to Tiverton
E9
Paignton to TivertonThe Dartmouth Steam Railway takes Michael Portillo to the beautiful home of Agatha Christie, in the company of her great-grandson, James Prichard.
Taunton to Salisbury Plain
E10
Taunton to Salisbury PlainMichael Portillo crosses the county line from Devon into Somerset. He sees first-hand how willow farmers sought to overcome the challenge from the production of synthetic plastics during the 1930s.
Canterbury to Alexandra Palace
E11
Canterbury to Alexandra PalaceBeginning in Canterbury in Kent, Michael treads the boards as he uncovers the political message behind a play, published in 1936, inspired by the 12th-century murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket.
Limehouse to Rochford
E12
Limehouse to RochfordOn this leg, Michael alights at Limehouse in east London for Cable Street, which became the focus of Britain's fight against fascism in the 1930s.
Witham to Felixstowe
E13
Witham to FelixstoweMichael Portillo's railway journey reaches Witham in Essex. Here he visits the factory of the world's oldest supplier of metal framed windows which became popular in the 30s.
Saxmundham to Norwich
E14
Saxmundham to NorwichMichael Portillo heads for Snape Maltings, a concert and arts venue, and learns how the music and life of one of Britain’s greatest composers was shaped by the sea and his Suffolk surroundings.
Attleborough to Skegness
E15
Attleborough to SkegnessMichael Portillo is in Attleborough, at the headquarters of an international horse welfare organization which was established in the late 1920s, where he learns about the charity's pioneering founder.