Great British Railway Journeys

  
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Great British Railway JourneysSaxmundham to Dedham: Michael Portillo explores East Anglia between the wars, beginning at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, where archaeologists discovered a 27-metre-long Anglo-Saxon ship in 1939. [S]Mon, Apr 29, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysColchester to Chadwell Heath: Michael Portillo continues through East Anglia, where he discovers the Essex origins of the BBC and joins the Women's Land Army to pick damsons at Tiptree. [S]Mon, Apr 29, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSaxmundham to Dedham: Michael Portillo explores East Anglia between the wars, beginning at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, where archaeologists discovered a 27-metre-long Anglo-Saxon ship in 1939. [S]Tue, Apr 30, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysColchester to Chadwell Heath: Michael Portillo continues through East Anglia, where he discovers the Essex origins of the BBC and joins the Women's Land Army to pick damsons at Tiptree. [S]Tue, Apr 30, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysPotters Bar to Cardington: Michael Portillo's travels resume in leafy Hertfordshire, where he attempts a canoe slalom course, and visits the estate of author Barbara Cartland. [S]Tue, Apr 30, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSawbridgeworth to Cambridge: Michael Portillo heads for the Hertfordshire village of Perry Green to learn about Henry Moore became one of the defining artists of British modernism. [S]Tue, Apr 30, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysPotters Bar to Cardington: Michael Portillo's travels resume in leafy Hertfordshire, where he attempts a canoe slalom course, and visits the estate of author Barbara Cartland. [S]Wed, May 1, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSawbridgeworth to Cambridge: Michael Portillo heads for the Hertfordshire village of Perry Green to learn about Henry Moore became one of the defining artists of British modernism. [S]Wed, May 1, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysNewmarket to Walsingham: Michael Portillo is in Suffolk on the last leg of his tour of East Anglia, visiting the racecourse at Newmarket and the Roman Catholic shrine at Walsingham. [S]Wed, May 1, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysCrewe to Shotton: Michael Portillo visits Crewe, a town steeped in railway history, to investigate the making of cinema classic The Night Mail during the 1930s. [S]Wed, May 1, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysNewmarket to Walsingham: Michael Portillo is in Suffolk on the last leg of his tour of East Anglia, visiting the racecourse at Newmarket and the Roman Catholic shrine at Walsingham. [S]Thu, May 2, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysCrewe to Shotton: Michael Portillo visits Crewe, a town steeped in railway history, to investigate the making of cinema classic The Night Mail during the 1930s. [S]Thu, May 2, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysRhyl to Anglesey: Michael Portillo's 1930s Bradshaw's-inspired railway tour of north Wales takes him to Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Anglesey. [S]Thu, May 2, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBangor to Betws-y-Coed: Michael Portillo continues his railway tour of north Wales in the coastal city of Bangor, before turning south to Betws y Coed, the gateway to Snowdonia. [S]Thu, May 2, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysRhyl to Anglesey: Michael Portillo's 1930s Bradshaw's-inspired railway tour of north Wales takes him to Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Anglesey. [S]Fri, May 3, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBangor to Betws-y-Coed: Michael Portillo continues his railway tour of north Wales in the coastal city of Bangor, before turning south to Betws y Coed, the gateway to Snowdonia. [S]Fri, May 3, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBlaenau Ffestiniog: Michael Portillo explores Snowdonia, the town of Porthmadog, and the village Portmeirion, crafted by Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis. [S]Fri, May 3, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysAberystwyth to Newtown: Michael Portillo travels from Aberystwyth into the Cambrian Mountains at Devil's Bridge, and finishes in Newtown, Powys. [S]Fri, May 3, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBlaenau Ffestiniog: Michael Portillo explores Snowdonia, the town of Porthmadog, and the village Portmeirion, crafted by Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis. [S]Sat, May 4, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysAberystwyth to Newtown: Michael Portillo travels from Aberystwyth into the Cambrian Mountains at Devil's Bridge, and finishes in Newtown, Powys. [S]Sat, May 4, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins

Snapshots

Great British Railway JourneysOxford to Abingdon: Michael Portillo sets out on another railway adventure as he explores Britain between the world wars, beginning a tour of the Home Counties and beyond in Oxford. [S]Thu, Apr 25, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysAttleborough to Skegness: Michael Portillo begins the last leg of his rail journey through 1930s Britain in Norfolk at the headquarters of an international horse welfare organisation. [S]Thu, Apr 25, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysCarlisle to Penrith: Michael Portillo learns more about the country's railways, setting off from Carlisle on the first leg of a journey through north-west England. [S]Wed, Apr 24, 7:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysOakham to Cambridge: Michael Portillo travels from Oakham to Cambridge, finding out why Stamford is a popular location for period dramas and examining Charles Darwin's student days. [S]Wed, Apr 24, 7:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysOxford to Abingdon: Michael Portillo sets out on another railway adventure as he explores Britain between the world wars, beginning a tour of the Home Counties and beyond in Oxford. [S]Wed, Apr 24, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysAttleborough to Skegness: Michael Portillo begins the last leg of his rail journey through 1930s Britain in Norfolk at the headquarters of an international horse welfare organisation. [S]Wed, Apr 24, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSaxmundham to Norwich: Michael Portillo's journey takes him to the Snape Maltings music and arts venue, the Norfolk seaside resort of Great Yarmouth and the city of Norwich. [S]Wed, Apr 24, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysWitham to Felixstowe: Michael Portillo's railway journey from Canterbury to Skegness reaches Witham in Essex. He visits the factory of the world's oldest supplier of metal-framed windows. [S]Wed, Apr 24, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysOxford to Luton: Michael Portillo visits Oxford University's Bodleian library to see Victorian treasures including Mary Shelley's Frankenstein manuscript. [S]Tue, Apr 23, 7:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysAbergavenny to Hanborough: Michael Portillo visits Big Pit coal mine in Blaenavon and learns about 19th-century developments in angling. [S]Tue, Apr 23, 7:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSaxmundham to Norwich: Michael Portillo's journey takes him to the Snape Maltings music and arts venue, the Norfolk seaside resort of Great Yarmouth and the city of Norwich. [S]Tue, Apr 23, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysWitham to Felixstowe: Michael Portillo's railway journey from Canterbury to Skegness reaches Witham in Essex. He visits the factory of the world's oldest supplier of metal-framed windows. [S]Tue, Apr 23, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysLimehouse to Rochford: Michael Portillo explores the east of England en route to Lincolnshire. He learns how the Crossrail project is helping to conserve birds. [S]Tue, Apr 23, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysCanterbury to Alexandra Palace: Michael Portillo explores the east of England in the inter-war period, his journey beginning in Canterbury and ending at Alexandra Palace in London. [S]Tue, Apr 23, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysTaunton to Salisbury Plain: In Bath, Michael visits the ex-home of a refugee emperor, whose country was invaded by the Italian dictator Mussolini. [S]Fri, Apr 19, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysPaignton to Tiverton: Michael Portillo arrives in Paignton, where the Dartmouth Steam Railway takes him to the home of Agatha Christie, in the company of her great-grandson. [S]Fri, Apr 19, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBodmin to Totnes: Michael Portillo reaches Bodmin en route to Totnes, as he explores the West Country from St Ives to Salisbury Plain, learning more about Daphne du Maurier on the way. [S]Fri, Apr 19, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysTruro to St Mawgan: Michael Portillo visits Cornwall's county town, Truro, heading to the historic estate of Trewithen, whose gardens were stocked from China by plant hunters. [S]Fri, Apr 19, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBodmin to Totnes: Michael Portillo reaches Bodmin en route to Totnes, as he explores the West Country from St Ives to Salisbury Plain, learning more about Daphne du Maurier on the way. [S]Thu, Apr 18, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysTruro to St Mawgan: Michael Portillo visits Cornwall's county town, Truro, heading to the historic estate of Trewithen, whose gardens were stocked from China by plant hunters. [S]Thu, Apr 18, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSt Ives to St Day: Michael Portillo explores the West Country between the wars, setting off from the Cornish seaside resort of St Ives and ending in the former mining village of St Day. [S]Thu, Apr 18, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysElgin to Loch Ness: Michael Portillo visits Lossiemouth and Inverness. His journey ends at Loch Ness, where he joins a Deep Scan research team searching for the elusive monster. [S]Thu, Apr 18, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSt Ives to St Day: Michael Portillo explores the West Country between the wars, setting off from the Cornish seaside resort of St Ives and ending in the former mining village of St Day. [S]Wed, Apr 17, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysElgin to Loch Ness: Michael Portillo visits Lossiemouth and Inverness. His journey ends at Loch Ness, where he joins a Deep Scan research team searching for the elusive monster. [S]Wed, Apr 17, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysDundee to Aberdeen: Michael Portillo travels from Dundee to Aberdeen, stopping off at Glamis Castle, where the Queen Mother grew up, and making an excursion into the Eastern Highlands. [S]Wed, Apr 17, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysFalkirk to Dundee: Michael Portillo reaches the Westerglen Transmitting Station in Falkirk, before visiting Gleneagles and Berry Town on route to the city of Dundee. [S]Wed, Apr 17, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysEast Malling to Rye: Michael Portillo travels from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex. En route he discovers how the Edwardians' attitude towards cultivation bears fruit even now. [S]Sat, Apr 13, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysSt Andrews to Edinburgh: Michael Portillo travels from St Andrews to Edinburgh on the final leg of his journey across southern Scotland, paying homage to the birthplace of golf. [S]Fri, Apr 12, 7:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysEast Malling to Rye: Michael Portillo travels from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex. En route he discovers how the Edwardians' attitude towards cultivation bears fruit even now. [S]Fri, Apr 12, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysPiccadilly Circus to Gravesend: Michael Portillo journeys from Piccadilly Circus to Gravesend, visiting an exotic West End store that was popular among Victorian women. [S]Fri, Apr 12, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysEaling Broadway to South Kensington: Michael Portillo reaches the capital on his rail journey. In Ealing, he is transformed for the silver screen by expert hair and make-up. [S]Fri, Apr 12, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysReading to Taplow: Michael Portillo picks up his journey from Warwick to Rye. In Reading, he traces the origins of education for workers. In Cliveden he explores an Italianate mansion. [S]Fri, Apr 12, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysMotherwell to Linlithgow: Michael Portillo travels from Motherwell to Linlithgow, visiting the Forth Rail Bridge and learning the origins of one of Scotland's best-selling soft drinks. [S]Thu, Apr 11, 7:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysGreenock to Larkhall: Michael Portillo travels from Greenock to Larkhall, visiting the Glasgow School of Art and learning how to make sourdough in a bakery in Strathaven. [S]Thu, Apr 11, 7:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysEaling Broadway to South Kensington: Michael Portillo reaches the capital on his rail journey. In Ealing, he is transformed for the silver screen by expert hair and make-up. [S]Thu, Apr 11, 12:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysReading to Taplow: Michael Portillo picks up his journey from Warwick to Rye. In Reading, he traces the origins of education for workers. In Cliveden he explores an Italianate mansion. [S]Thu, Apr 11, 12:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysWarwick to Radley: Michael Portillo sets off on the first leg of a journey from the Midlands to Rye in East Sussex, beginning by travelling from Warwick to Radley in Oxfordshire. [S]Thu, Apr 11, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysHillhead to Connel Ferry: Michael Portillo visits the University of Glasgow's Officer Training Corps, then heads to Helensburgh, finding a group of artists known as the Glasgow Boys. [S]Thu, Apr 11, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysGlasgow to Cumbrae: Michael Portillo journeys from Glasgow to Cumbrae, learning about a forgotten Scottish expedition to the Antarctic. [S]Wed, Apr 10, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysLarne to Dumfries: Michael Portillo journeys from Northern Ireland across the water to Scotland. Leaving from the seaport of Larne, he reaches Stranraer and the Mull of Galloway. [S]Wed, Apr 10, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysFaversham 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. [S]Tue, Apr 9, 7:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway Journeysllford 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. [S]Tue, Apr 9, 7:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBelfast to Portrush: On a journey from Belfast to Portrush, Michael Portillo investigates the work of author and Narnia creator CS Lewis, and visits the Royal Portrush Golf Club. [S]Tue, Apr 9, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysNewry to Portadown: Michael Portillo sets off on the first leg of a journey across Northern Ireland to Argyll and Bute, beginning by travelling from Newry to Portadown. [S]Tue, Apr 9, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysIpswich 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. [S]Mon, Apr 8, 7:30 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysNorwich 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. [S]Mon, Apr 8, 7:00 pmYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBirmingham to the Potteries: Armed with his Bradshaw's guide, Michael Portillo reaches Birmingham and learns how a radical reformer would make his mark on the 'city of a thousand trades'. [S]Sat, Apr 6, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysMaltby to Hinckley: Michael Portillo travels from Maltby to Hinckley, trying to understand the appeal of Marmite, before a look around the Triumph motorcycle factory. [S]Sat, Apr 6, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysManchester to Elsecar: Michael Portillo visits Heaton Park in Manchester, where one of the first open air concerts was held in 1909, before travelling on to the town of Oldham. [S]Fri, Apr 5, 12:30 amYesterday30 mins
Great British Railway JourneysBlackburn to Manchester: Michael Portillo catches a glimpse of Edwardian life on celluloid and marvels at how factory workers and schoolchildren alike were drawn to seek fame on film. [S]Fri, Apr 5, 12:00 amYesterday30 mins