Great British Railway Journeys – Llanberis to Holyhead
Fri 14 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains, as his journey follows the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury to Holyhead.
Michael takes the train to the top of Wales’s highest peak, Mount Snowdon; witnesses the revival of Anglesey’s sea salt industry; and discovers how the railways transformed the tiny port of Holyhead.
Great British Railway Journeys – Llanwrst to Porthmadog
Thu 13 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains, as his journey follows the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury to Holyhead.
Michael explores the Conwy valley, stopping at Britain’s first artists’ colony at Betwys-y-Coed, visiting the Victorian slate capital of Blaenau Ffestiniog and taking a steam train down to the harbour at Porthmadog.
Great British Railway Journeys – Chester to Conwy
Wed 12 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains, as his journey follows the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury to Holyhead.
Michael takes a tour of Chester’s Roman remains and discovers a secret World War II chemical weapons plant at Rhydmwyn. After spending the night in Llandudno, he goes mussel fishing on the beautiful Conwy estuary.
Great British Railway Journeys – Great British Railway Journeys
Tue 11 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains, as his journey follows the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury to Holyhead.
Michael visits the world’s first Iron bridge at Coalbrookdale, explores the historic Chirk castle and has a go at making traditional Cheshire cheese.
Great British Railway Journeys – Brighton to Crystal Palace
Mon 3 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of five epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains.
His journey takes him coast to coast from Brighton to Cromer. Michael finds out about Brighton’s Victorian aquarium, the largest in the world at the time; explores the underground quarries of Godstone, and discovers the wonders of the Crystal Palace in suburban south London.
Great British Railway Journeys – Waterloo to Canary Wharf
Tue 4 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of five epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains.
Michael finds out about the Stiff’s express, a funeral service running coffins from Waterloo to Brookwood cemetery. He discovers how London’s west end became a great 19th century shopping destination and explores the changing fortunes of London’s docks.
Great British Railway Journeys – Enfield to Cambridge
Wed 5 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of five epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains.
Michael visits the Government Arms Factory at Enfield, the largest machine shop in Europe in Bradshaw’s day; discovers how the trains transformed Newmarket’s races and finds out why Cambridge could be considered the birthplace of modern football.
Great British Railway Journeys – Ely to King’s Lynn
Thu 6 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of five epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains.
Michael goes fishing with the last eel trapper on the Fens at Ely and visits one of the great triumphs of 19th century engineering, the Denver Sluice. He ends his journey in King’s Lynn, where he uncovers an ambitious plan to reclaim the Wash in Bradshaw’s day.
Great British Railway Journeys – Dereham to Cromer
Fri 7 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of five epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains.
Michael gets the rare chance to drive a heritage diesel train, finds out why Norfolk black turkeys appeared on the Christmas menu in Bradshaw’s day, and samples some classic Cromer crab.
Great British Railway Journeys – Ledbury to Shrewsbury
Mon 10 Jan 2011 – 18:30 – BBC Two
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw’s Britain remains, as he follows the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury to Holyhead.
Michael tastes the Victorian drink perry, a kind of pear cider, gets up close and personal with a pedigree Hereford bull and visits the grandfather of all skyscrapers, the world’s first iron-framed building in Shrewsbury.