Great British Railway Journeys

Ex-MP Michael Portillo traces the footsteps of cartographer George Bradshaw and embarks on a series of magnificent train journeys.

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Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys

Series 4 | Episode 10

Michael Portillo learns how Lincolnshire farmers utilised railways to improve harvest, visits the Lincoln cathedral and looks to the future of rail freight.

Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys

Series 4 | Episode 9

Michael Portillo discovers how a derelict part of London is being rejuvenated and puts in a shift at a Cambridgeshire brick factory.

Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys

Series 4 | Episode 8

Michael Portillo learns about the drinking habits of volunteer Victorian firefighters and learns 19th-century sewage pumps were a marvel of design.

Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys

Series 4 | Episode 7

Michael Portillo travels from Woking to Clapham Junction, trying his hand at croquet and discovering a surprising 19th-century place of worship.

Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys

Series 4 | Episode 6

Michael Portillo embarks on the first leg of a journey from Portsmouth to Grimsby, helping to feed the crew of Britain's newest battleship along the way.

Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys

Series 4 | Episode 5

Michael Portillo travels from Welshpool, Powys, to Aberystwyth in Ceredigion, hearing how the railways took Welsh textiles into exclusive households.

About the Show

About Great British Railway Journeys

About Great British Railway Journeys

Follow Michael Portillo whilst he investigates across country on great British railway.

Great British Railway Journeys Gallery

Great British Railway Journeys Gallery

Michael Portillo traces the footsteps of cartographer George Bradshaw.

Find Out More

6 Of The World's Most Incredible Railways

6 Of The World's Most Incredible Railways

From the Nariz del Diablo to Crossrail, here are some of the most jaw-dropping railways.

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Trains

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Trains

Because there’s more to the history of trains than delays and signalling errors…

The 5 Most Iconic Steam Engines

The 5 Most Iconic Steam Engines

Hulking and magnificent.

A Fast Track History Of Steam Locomotives

A Fast Track History Of Steam Locomotives

And the incredible pioneers who made it happen.

Railway Walks

Railway Walks

Julia Bradbury embarks on a series of walks following the dilapidated train tracks.