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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Langley Mill to Melton Mowbray

Rail journeys inspired by Victorian cartographer George Bradshaw. Michael Portillo finds out how trains shaped the controversial sport of fox hunting.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.