Great British Railway Journeys Series 4

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Travel Documentary hosted by Michael Portillo, published by BBC in 2013 - English narration

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Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw's Victorian railway guidebook, travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw's World remains.

[edit] High Wycombe to Stratford-Upon-Avon

The first of a series of journeys along the tracks that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution.

Beginning in the rolling Chiltern Hills Michael meets the remarkable craftsmen behind the Victorian furniture trade, discovers how George Bradshaw helped save Britain's canal heritage and sees Shakespeare through the eyes of a 19th century railway tourist.

[edit] Birmingham to Stafford

Michael learns how the railways helped to make Birmingham the pen-making capital of the world, hears the chilling tale of one of 19th century Britain's most notorious murderers and samples the delicacies concocted in a Victorian kitchen at Shugborough Hall.

[edit] Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford

Michael explores one of the greatest locomotive factories in railway history, discovers the dark side of the industrial revolution and learns how, in Victorian times, the potteries brought their products to the masses.

[edit] Dudley to Bridgenorth

On the stunning Severn Valley Railway Michael learns how Victorian blacksmithing was not for the faint-hearted, rides one of Britain's most modern trains and traverses the remarkable Victoria Bridge.

[edit] Welshpool to Aberystwyth

Concluding at the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth Michael experiences Victorian entertainment, hears how the railways took Welsh textiles into even the most exclusive households and unleashes the power of a 19th century engineering triumph.

[edit] Portsmouth to Gomshall

Michael is travelling port to port, from the centuries old naval hub of Portsmouth to the historic Grimsby docks.

Michael feeds the crew of Britain's newest warship, discovers how the Victorians planned to repel a possible French invasion and learns that there's well established industry where one might least expect to find it.

[edit] Woking to Clapham Junction

Michael gets close to some precious Victorian botany at Kew Gardens, tries his hand at croquet and discovers a very surprising 19th century place of worship.

[edit] London Victoria to Abbey Wood

Michael learns how volunteer Victorian fire fighters liked a tipple, discovers how even 19th century sewage pumps were a celebration of design and puts in a shift at the oldest fish market in Britain.

[edit] London Kings Cross to Peterborough

Michael discovers how derelict Victorian London is being rejuvenated, puts in a shift at a Cambridgeshire brick factory and meets the immigrant community built from it.

[edit] Spalding to Grimsby

Michael sees how Lincolnshire farmers utilised rails to improve their harvests, visits Lincoln's most impressive cathedral and looks to the future of rail freight.

[edit] Stirling to Invergowrie

Michael explores the scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling to the beauty of the western lochs, ending his journey in John O'Groats.

He learns about a Scottish hero, visits a Highland Games and discovers how a piece of Victorian engineering ended in tragedy.

[edit] Dundee to Aberdeen

Michael learns how Queen Victoria used to hide from her subjects, discovers how factory workers went deaf and goes out with a bang in Aberdeenshire.

[edit] Dufftown to Aviemore

Michael learns how Victorian whisky trains were raided by robbers, travels along one of Scotland's most impressive viaducts and discovers that life is not always sweet on a shortbread production line.

[edit] Inverness to Plockton

Michael rides one of Scotland's most picturesque railways, visits Scotland's smallest station and learns what went into a Victorian-style spa break.

[edit] Invergordon to John o'Groats

Michael learns how one man's vision helped bring train travel to the Highlands, discovers how farming has changed since Bradshaw's day and hears the remarkable tale of Scotland's Victorian gold rush.

[edit] London Paddington to Warminster

Michael is following in the footsteps of the master engineer of the Great Western Railway, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, beginning at the line's London gateway, Paddington Station and ending in Newton Abbot, Devon, the scene of one of Brunel's heroic failures.

Michael gets to grips with the old grey matter at a Victorian asylum, gives an historic horse a facelift and makes malt the 19th century way.

[edit] Salisbury to Castle Cary

Michael visits a world famous tourist hotspot that's been captivating visitors since the Victorian era, takes to the air in Yeovil and tries his hand at cloth making, the 19th century way.

[edit] Taunton to Minehead

Michael explores a church that moves in mysterious ways, finds out just what it takes to run a 19th century signal box and summons all his strength, to move a one hundred and ten tonne steam locomotive.

[edit] Lynton and Lynmouth to Exeter

Michael gets up close to a piece of natural history, visits a garden used as a viewing platform for public hangings and experiences a timepiece like no other.

[edit] Exmouth to Newton Abbot

Michael takes to sea with the heroes of the RNLI, visits a stormy coastal railway and has a close personal encounter with his boyhood hero.

[edit] Killarney to Cobh

Michael is on a railway journey through the Republic of Ireland travelling from the rugged beauty of County Kerry, across the rural Irish Midlands to end in the city of Galway on the Atlantic coast.

Michael samples nineteenth century foodie delicacies, explores a stunning landscape shot to fame by rails and royals and risks life and limb for the gift of the gab.

[edit] Charleville to Waterford

Michael learns the ancient art of butter making, attempts to learn the basics of Ireland's oldest game, and rides the Duke of Devonshire's Victorian Irish railway.

[edit] Kilkenny to Athy

Michael tries his hand at cutting marble Victorian style, uncovers 19th century Ireland's surprising industrial heritage and learns how the railways helped bring motorsport to the masses.

[edit] Newbridge to Roscrea

Michael visits the Irish National Stud, discovers how harsh life was for the Irish poor and uncovers an astronomical feat of Victorian engineering.

[edit] Athlone to Galway

Michael is on the final leg of his Irish journey and discovers historic jewellery with royal connections in Galway, meets a people's king and finds his voice with a traditional Irish singing group.