Great British Railway Journeys

Liverpool to Eccles

Ex-MP Michael Portillo embarks on a series of magnificent train journeys. Michael travels on the world's first passenger railway line and learns to speak Scouse.

Manchester to Bury

Michael Portillo traces the footsteps of cartographer George Bradshaw. Michael learns more about his Victorian guide and the link between trains and a fish supper.

Todmorden to York

Ex-politician Michael Portillo takes to the tracks. Michael goes back in time on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway and learns more about the Romans in York.

Pontefract to Bridlington

How did our railways mould modern-day Britain? Michael Portillo hears how Hull became a large white fish port and goes fishing for sea bass in Bridlington.

Filey to Scarborough

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks in this engaging travelogue. Michael goes birding on the wild cliffs of Flamborough Head and learns about knitting in Filey.

Preston to Morecambe

An epic tour of our great nation by rail. Michael Portillo's second journey begins in Preston, where he explores the origins of the temperance movement.

Settle to Garsdale

Michael Portillo travels across Britain to see how railways changed us. Michael returns to the historic Settle-Carlisle line after helping to save it in the 1980s.

Windermere to Kendal

Travels by train. Michael Portillo continues his journey to Scotland, riding a steamboat on Lake Windermere and visiting Wordsworth's home village of Grasmere.

• today, 12pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Carlisle to Glasgow

Michael Portillo hits the rails. Here the ex-MP meets wild clansmen in Carlisle, witnesses a wedding in Gretna Green and visits a secret WWI munitions factory.

• today, 12:30pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy

Michael Portillo continues his epic journey from Preston to Scotland, visiting the Clyde valley orchards, the Forth Rail Bridge and the town of Kirkcaldy.

• today, 7pm
  Remind Me
• tomorrow, 12pm
  Remind Me

Swindon to Bristol

Train travels with the ex-Tory. Michael Portillo journeys from Swindon to Penzance, sampling spa treatments in Bath and trying glassblowing in Bristol on the way.

• today, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• tomorrow, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Yatton to Weston-super-Mare

Travels by train. Ex-MP Michael Portillo samples local Cheddar strawberries, explores Cheddar Gorge and visits an extremely old pier in Weston-super-Mare.

• tomorrow, 7pm
  Remind Me
• Friday, 12pm
  Remind Me

Torquay to Totnes

Michael Portillo travels along Brunel's Great Western Railway. Here he goes salmon fishing on the Dart estuary and spends some of Totnes's new local currency.

• tomorrow, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• Friday, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Bugle to Mevagissey

Epic rail journeys inspired by cartographer George Bradshaw. Michael Portillo visits the largest clay mine in the world near St Austell and goes pilchard fishing.

• Friday, 7pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Truro to Penzance

Travels by train. Michael Portillo searches for the lost church of St Piran, explores a working tin mine in Cornwall and harvests oysters on the Helford River.

• Friday, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Buxton to Matlock

Ex-MP Michael Portillo begins his epic trip from Buxton to London, visiting the Duke of Devonshire's stables and hopping on the historic steam railway to Rowsley.

• Monday, 7pm
  Remind Me
• Tuesday, 12pm
  Remind Me

Cromford to Burton-on-Trent

Travels by train. Ex-MP Michael Portillo visits the oldest working factory in the world at Cromford and explores the country's first public park in Derby.

• Monday, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• Tuesday, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Walsall to Bournville

Michael Portillo hits the tracks to see how the railways have shaped Britain. Michael meets the Queen's saddler and learns how to cook an authentic curry.

• Tuesday, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 22, 12pm
  Remind Me

Coventry to Watford

Travels by train. Michael Portillo relives the Coventry Blitz, meets an Aylesbury duck farmer and finds out how trains helped to evacuate children during WWII.

• Tuesday, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 22, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

St Pancras to Westminster

Michael Portillo's epic voyage reaches the buffers as he explores St Pancras, rides the world's first Tube line to Smithfield market and marvels at Big Ben.

• July 22, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 23, 12pm
  Remind Me

Brighton to Crystal Palace

Michael Portillo embarks on another epic quest by track, accompanied by George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. Michael visits Brighton's aquarium.

• July 22, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 23, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Waterloo to Canary Wharf

Michael Portillo is a happy man on a train. The ex-Tory MP learns about the changing fortunes of London's docks and a rail service that transported coffins.

• July 23, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 24, 12pm
  Remind Me

Enfield to Cambridge

Travels by train with Michael Portillo, who here visits the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield and discovers how the railways transformed Newmarket's races.

• July 23, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 24, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Ely to King's Lynn

Michael Portillo hits the tracks to see how the railways have shaped Britain. Michael meets the last eel trapper on the Fens at Ely and visits the Denver Sluice.

• July 24, 7pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Dereham to Cromer

Informative travels by train. Michael Portillo is in his element as he gets to drive a heritage diesel train. The ex-politician also samples some Cromer crab.

• July 24, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Ledbury to Shrewsbury

Michael Portillo sets out on another trek, following the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury. Michael samples Victorian perry and encounters a Hereford bull.

• July 27, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 28, 12pm
  Remind Me

Telford to Wrexham

Fascinating history travelogue. Michael Portillo sees the world's first iron bridge at Coalbrookdale, explores Chirk Castle and has a go at making Cheshire cheese.

• July 27, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 28, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Chester to Conwy

Train travels with the ex-Tory. Michael Portillo explores Chester's Roman remains and discovers a secret World War II chemical weapons plant at Rhydymwyn in Wales.

• July 28, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 29, 12pm
  Remind Me

Llanwrst to Porthmadog

Nostalgic series in which Michael Portillo retraces George Bradshaw's travels by train. Michael combs the Conwy valley and rides a steam train to Porthmadog.

• July 28, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 29, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Llanberis to Holyhead

Michael Portillo explores Britain by rail. Michael takes the train to the top of Mount Snowdon and discovers how the railways changed the tiny port of Holyhead.

• July 29, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 30, 12pm
  Remind Me

Newcastle to Chester-le-Street

Travels by train with the ex-Tory. Host Michael Portillo visits the world's first locomotive factory and searches for the lost pit village of Marsden.

• July 29, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 30, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Durham to Grosmont

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. A visit to the historic Durham Cathedral and a Dracula tour of Whitby.

• July 30, 7pm
  Remind Me
• July 31, 12pm
  Remind Me

York to Saltaire

How did rail travel shape Britain? Michael Portillo takes a Turkish bath in Harrogate, explores the Victorian model village of Saltaire and encounters some alpacas.

• July 30, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• July 31, 12:30pm
  Remind Me

Batley to Sheffield

More tales from a train. Michael Portillo hears about a Victorian recycling industry in Batley and meets a relative of the inspirational George Bradshaw himself.

• July 31, 7pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Langley Mill to Melton Mowbray

Michael Portillo learns how trains shaped the controversial sport of fox hunting in another journey inspired by Victorian cartographer George Bradshaw.

• July 31, 7:30pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

London Bridge to Chatham

An epic tour of Britain by rail. Michael Portillo visits the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, walks the Thames Tunnel and explores Chatham Historic Dockyard.

• August 3, 12pm
  Remind Me
• August 3, 7pm
  Remind Me

Aylesford to Tunbridge Wells

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks in this first-class travelogue. Learn all about Maidstone's paper industry and how cricket became a national sport.

• August 3, 12:30pm
  Remind Me
• August 3, 7:30pm
  Remind Me

Canterbury to Margate

An epic tour of Great Britain by rail. Michael Portillo finds out how Canterbury Cathedral was saved from ruin during WWII and goes whelk fishing in Whitstable.

• August 5, 11am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Sandwich to Folkestone

Discover Britain by rail with Michael Portillo, who visits Walmer Castle and explores a secret port used to transport supplies to France during World War I.

• August 5, 11:30am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Hythe to Hastings

Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of Britain by train. Hastings and Romney Marsh are on today's itinerary and Michael samples Kent's sparkling wine.

• August 6, 11am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Dumbarton to Tyndrum

Spectacular rail voyages inspired by Victorian pioneer George Bradshaw. Michael Portillo visits Loch Lomond and the Dumbarton shipyard that built the Cutty Sark.

• August 7, 11am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Ayr to Paisley

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with George Bradshaw's seminal Victorian Railway Guidebook. A visit to the hometown of Robbie Burns and a lesson in haggis-making.

• August 6, 11:30am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Oban to Corrour

Rail buff Michael Portillo hears how trains helped spread the word about Oban whisky and visits Corrour, one of the Victorian elite's favourite shooting estates.

• August 7, 11:30am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Roybridge to Glenfinnan

Travels by train. Michael Portillo investigates the mysterious parallel roads of Glenroy and takes a steam train across the spectacular viaduct at Glenfinnan.

Lochailort to Skye

Travelling by train up the breathtaking west coast of Scotland to Skye, Michael Portillo discovers how the railways helped train commandos at Lochailort for WWII.

Windsor to Didcot

Michael Portillo's latest railway excursion is fit for royalty, as he follows Queen Victoria's regular journey south from Windsor - collecting the mail on the way.

• August 13, 11:30am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Reading to Alton

Train travels. Michael Portillo samples a Victorian superfood in Alton, explores the wonderfully preserved Whitchurch Silk Mill and takes control of a steam train.

• August 14, 11am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Winchester to Isle of Wight

Roving by rail. Michael Portillo discovers what did amuse Queen Victoria, as he travels by train to her favourite holiday destination - the Isle of Wight.

• August 14, 11:30am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Great Yarmouth to Beccles

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks yet again. The ex-MP discovers the grave-robbing past of Great Yarmouth and works a Victorian swing bridge in Reedham.

• August 10, 6pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Darsham to Felixstowe

Michael Portillo's train-hopping travels take him to the Port of Felixstowe. The Bradshaw buff traces the lost city of Dunwich - Britain's very own Atlantis.

• August 10, 6:30pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Sudbury to Southend

The 'sad man on a train' - as he is known to Andrew Neil - tours Victorian freak show sites by rail and rides one of the very first electric railways in Southend.

• August 12, 11am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Epping to Hackney

Travelogue meets Victorian history in this fascinating series with Michael Portillo. Here the This Week regular heads to Hackney, hearing about an on-board murder.

• August 12, 11:30am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Fenchurch to Embankment

London's calling for Michael Portillo, as he enjoys a ride on a secret miniature railway beneath the capital's streets and rings the church bells in Bow.

• August 13, 11am
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Brockenhurst to Poole

A Victorian voyage by train. Michael Portillo seeks out venomous adders in the New Forest, uncovers a secret library in Wimborne and visits the Poole potteries.

Wareham to Portland

Chug along with Michael Portillo, who unearths the amazing oil fields beneath England's seaside resorts and discovers the crucial role Weymouth played on D-Day.

Oxford to Pershore

Travels with a 19th-century guidebook. Michael Portillo gets a special view of Oxford, tastes a steam-powered brew and discovers a colourful crop in the Cotswolds.

• August 17, 6pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Hartlebury to Great Malvern

Relive the delights of Victorian Britain by rail. Michael Portillo learns about the secrets of Worcester sauce and the health benefits of Malvern water.

• August 17, 6:30pm
  Remind Me
• Not scheduled

Lydney to Newport

Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of Britain by train, discovering micro-mines, romantic ruins and an iconic bridge as he chugs through south Wales.

Cardiff to Brecon

Discover Cardiff's coal heritage and take a steam ride through the stunning Brecon Beacons. And when is an island not an island? Our roving host finds out in Barry.

Port Talbot to Milford Haven

Armed with George Bradshaw's seminal Victorian Railway Guidebook, Michael Portillo explores the 19th-century railway legacy en route to Pembrokeshire.

Berwick-upon-Tweed to Morpeth

Another day, another destination - Michael Portillo journeys through majestic Northumberland, hearing the amazing story of Ashington's Pitmen Painters.

Bardon Mill to Wigton

This Victorian voyage takes Michael Portillo to Hadrian's Wall, where he mucks in and enjoys some hands-on history. We also hear how ticket machines came to be.

Cockermouth to Eskdale

Michael Portillo glugs a lovely Victorian brew, goes nuclear at Sellafield and visits a Japanese-inspired garden as he winds through charming Cumbria by rail.

Kirkby-in-Furness to Lancaster

Travels by train. Michael Portillo alights to learn about Kirkby's famous blue slate and hear how execution was a spectator sport in Victorian times.

Heysham to Sneafell

Enjoy Britain's delights by rail - and boat, this time. Setting sail for the Isle of Man, Michael Portillo encounters horse trams and a dizzying mountain railway.

Bray to Dublin

Epic rail journeys inspired by George Bradshaw. Michael Portillo crosses the Irish Sea and learns about the railway along Dublin's treacherous east coast.

Enfield to Drogheda

Michael Portillo's Irish odyssey chugs on as he discovers the vast railway network within the Bog of Allen and the secrets of the amazing Boyne Viaduct.

Dundalk to Portadown

Michael Portillo shows no sign of running out of steam as he visits the historic Cromlech stones of Dundalk and the Armagh Observatory - all by rail.

Belfast to Whitehead

The travel series that's just the ticket. Host Michael Portillo probes the riveting history of Belfast's Victorian docks and enjoys a coastal walk in Whitehead.

Ballymoney to Londonderry

Victorian-inspired train rides. Michael Portillo holds on for dear life over the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, before visiting the majestic Giant's Causeway.

High Wycombe to Stratford-upon-Avon

Michael Portillo embarks on journey to learn more about the nation's railways, beginning by travelling from High Wycombe to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Birmingham to Stafford

Michael Portillo learns how Birmingham became the world's pen-making capital and hears the chilling tale of a notorious 19th-century murderer.

Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford

Michael Portillo travels from Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford, Cheshire, finding out about the dark side of the Industrial Revolution along the way.

Dudley to Bridgnorth

Michael Portillo travels from Dudley to Bridgnorth, learning about Victorian blacksmithing and riding on one of Britain's most modern trains.

Welshpool to Aberystwyth

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

Portsmouth to Gomshall

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.

Woking to Clapham Junction

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

London Victoria to Abbey Wood

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

London King's Cross to Peterborough

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

Spalding to Grimsby

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

Stirling to Invergowrie

Michael Portillo embarks on the first leg of a journey from Stirling to John O'Groats, learning about a Scottish hero and visiting a Highland Games.

Dundee to Aberdeen

Michael Portillo travels from Dundee to Aberdeen, learning how Queen Victoria used to hide from her subjects and discovers why some factory workers went deaf.

Dufftown to Aviemore

Michael Portillo journeys from Dufftown to Aviemore, learning how Victorian whisky trains were raided and travelling along one of Scotland's most impressive viaducts.

Inverness to Plockton

Michael Portillo travels from Inverness to Plockton, visiting Scotland's smallest railway station and learns what a spa break in the Victorian era comprised.

Invergordon to John O'Groats

Michael Portillo heads to John O'Groats from Invergordon, learning how one man's vision helped bring train travel to the Highlands.

London Paddington to Warminster

Michael Portillo embarks on a journey from London to Newton Abbot in Devon, learning about a Victorian asylum and making malt the 19th-century way.

Salisbury to Castle Cary

Michael Portillo travels from Salisbury in Wiltshire to Castle Cary, Somerset, visiting a tourist spot that's been captivating visitors since the Victorian era.

Taunton to Minehead

Michael Portillo travels from Taunton to Minehead, operating a 19th-century signal box and summoning all his strength to move a 110-ton steam locomotive.

Lynton & Lynmouth to Exeter

New. Michael Portillo travels from Lynton to Exeter, visiting a garden used as a viewing platform for public hangings and examining a timepiece like no other.

Exmouth to Newton Abbot

New. Michael Portillo starts off in Exmouth on his journey to Newton Abbot, going out to sea with an RNLI lifeboat crew and visiting a stormy coastal railway.

Killarney to Cobh

Michael Portillo embarks on the first leg of a journey through the Republic of Ireland from Co Kerry to the city of Galway, travelling from Killarney to Cobh.

Charleville to Waterford

Michael Portillo travels from Charleville to Waterford, learning about the ancient art of making butter and trying to learn the basics of Ireland's oldest game.

Kilkenny to Athy

Michael Portillo travels from Kilkenny to Athy, uncovering 19th-century Ireland's surprising industrial heritage.

Newbridge to Roscrea

Michael Portillo travels from Newbridge to Roscrea, visiting the Irish National Stud in Tully and investigating an astronomical feat of Victorian engineering.

Athlone to Galway

Michael Portillo travels from Athlone to Galway on the final leg of his journey, and meets up with a traditional Irish singing group along the way.

Leicester to Loughborough

Michael Portillo travels from Leicester to Loughborough, learning about the hunt for Richard III's remains and working his passage on the Great Central Railway.

Nottingham to Leeds

Michael Portillo completes his journey to Leeds, finding out how rail workers shaped British political history and auditioning at Britain's oldest working music hall.

Wokingham to Bradford on Avon

Michael Portillo travels from Wokingham to Bradford on Avon, learning how demand from rail commuters fuelled the development of the modern printing press.

Chippenham to Gloucester

New. Michael Portillo travels from Chippenham to Gloucester, visiting Bristol Zoo and seeing an extraordinary piece of Victorian engineering at Severn Tunnel Junction.

Ipswich to Chelmsford

Michael Portillo travels from Ipswich to Chelmsford, dredging for oysters off Mersea Island and visiting the world's first purpose-built radio equipment factory.

Northampton to Nuneaton

Michael Portillo travels from Northampton to Nuneaton, learning about Victorian methods of shoemaking and the legacy of Dr Thomas Arnold at Rugby School.

Winchfield to Crowthorne

Michael Portillo travels through Hampshire and Berkshire, visiting the stately home bequeathed by the nation to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, in 1817.

Cheltenham to Wolverhampton

New. Michael Portillo ends his journey to Wolverhampton, hearing about a visit by Queen Victoria that ended her exile from public life after Prince Albert's death.

Honley to Chesterfield

New. Michael Portillo crosses into Derbyshire to pay homage to engineer George Stephenson at his resting place in Chesterfield.

London Euston to Cheddington

Michael Portillo embarks on a journey to Leeds, beginning at London's Euston station and ending at the scene of 1963's Great Train Robbery in Buckinghamshire.

Southampton to Basingstoke

Michael Portillo embarks on a journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton, beginning by learning how to set a table aboard the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth.

Norwich to Brandon

Michael embarks on the first leg of a journey from Norwich to Chichester, examining the Victorian public's gory fascination with crime and punishment along the way.

llford to Rochester

Michael Portillo travels through Essex and Kent, loading a container at Tilbury docks and exploring the town that was an inspiration for many of Dickens' works.

Southport to Leyland

Michael Portillo continues his journey around north-west England in the elegant resort town of Southport, and drives a 100-year-old vehicle in Leyland.

Bletchley to Newport Pagnell

Michael Portillo travels through Buckinghamshire, meeting a WWII secret agent at Bletchley and learning about the craft of vellum-making in Newport Pagnell.

Faversham to Dorking

Michael travels from Faversham to Dorking, visiting one of the oldest breweries in Britain and exploring a sunken fortress in Dover known as the Western Heights

Brighton to Chichester

Michael Portillo is in Brighton as he starts the final leg of his journey from Norwich to Chichester, learning about the history of the Royal Pavilion

Haworth to Huddersfield

New. Michael Portillo crosses into West Yorkshire, visiting the Worth Valley and the home of the three Bronte sisters, as well as Oakworth, Bradford and Halifax.

Preston to Rochdale

Michael Portillo journeys around north-west England, celebrating Victorian trade with the Preston Guild and learns about a movement to improve lives in Rochdale.

Manchester to Birkenhead

Michael Portillo travels from Manchester to Birkenhead, learning about the railway workers who founded one of the most successful football clubs of all time.

Great British Railway Journeys (6)

Great British Railway Journeys (6)

Great British Railway Journeys (6)

Great British Railway Journeys (6)

Great British Railway Journeys (6)