Michael Portillo resumes his explorations of the country, armed with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook, to uncover the railways’ lasting impact on communities and what echoes remain of Bradshaw's Britain. His journey b…

Michael Portillo explores how the railway network propelled Birmingham to prominence as the global center for pen manufacture, recounts the disturbing story of one of Victorian Britain’s most infamous killers, and savors traditional dishes …

Michael Portillo’s journey continues from Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford, Cheshire, where he explores the legacy of one of Britain's most significant locomotive works. Along his route, he uncovers a less celebrated aspect of the Industrial Revo…

Michael Portillo’s journey begins in Dudley, West Midlands, and continues onward to Bridgnorth, nestled within Shropshire. Along the way, he discovers the demanding nature of Victorian blacksmithing, experiences a ride upon one of Britain's…

Michael Portillo’s journey continues from Welshpool, Powys, to Aberystwyth in Ceredigion. He immerses himself in Victorian leisure at one of Wales’s most cherished seaside destinations, discovers how the railways delivered the nation's text…

Michael Portillo’s journey continues as he travels from Portsmouth, a vital naval centre, to the docks of Grimsby. Along the way, he assists in feeding the crew of Britain's newest battleship, explores Victorian strategies for defending aga…

Michael Portillo’s journey begins in Woking, Surrey, and winds its way towards the bustling Clapham Junction in south London. The route offers glimpses of treasured Victorian botany within the grounds of Kew Gardens, an opportunity to exper…

Michael explored the habits of volunteer Victorian firefighters, finding they appreciated a good drink; he marveled at the ingenious engineering of 19th-century sewage pumps; and he spent a day working alongside those at Britain’s most esta…

Michael Portillo explores how areas of neglected Victorian London are experiencing renewal. He also spends a day working alongside employees at a brickworks in Cambridgeshire, and encounters the diverse community whose lives are interwoven …

Michael explores a fascinating chapter of Lincolnshire’s agricultural history, discovering how its farmers ingeniously employed lengths of rail to enhance their yields. His journey includes a visit to the imposing cathedral in Lincoln, befo…

With a well-worn copy of Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guide as his companion, Michael Portillo journeys across the British Isles to discover what echoes remain of Bradshaw's world. He explores the breathtaking scenery of rural and coastal S…

With a well-worn copy of Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guide as his companion, Michael Portillo journeys across the British Isles, seeking traces of Bradshaw's world. He explores the breathtaking scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travel…

With a well-worn copy of Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guide in hand, Michael Portillo embarks on a journey across the British Isles to discover what echoes remain of Bradshaw’s world. He explores the breathtaking scenery of rural and coasta…

Michael Portillo joins the rails with his well-worn copy of Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guide, embarking on a journey across the British Isles to discover echoes of that bygone era. In this episode, he explores the landscapes of rural and …

With a well-worn copy of Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a journey across the British Isles, seeking out vestiges of Bradshaw's world. He explores the breathtaking scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, trave…

Michael delves into the workings of a Victorian-era mental institution, restores a venerable horse to its former glory, and crafts malt using methods from the nineteenth century.

Michael journeyed to a celebrated landmark, a place of enduring fascination for travelers since the days of Victoria, before venturing into the skies above Yeovil. There, he experienced the thrill of flight and then attempted the craft of w…

Michael ventured into a church steeped in enigmatic traditions, discovered the demands of operating a nineteenth-century railway signal box, and then summoned every ounce of his strength to shift a steam locomotive weighing over a hundred t…

Michael approached a display of natural history with quiet intimacy, then wandered through a garden once employed as a place from which executions could be observed. Finally, he encountered a clock unlike any he had seen before.

Michael joins forces with the courageous crews of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, journeys along a dramatic, storm-lashed coastal railway line, and experiences a deeply moving, intimate meeting with the man who inspired him as a bo…

Michael Portillo returns to the railway tracks, guided as always by his Victorian Bradshaw’s ‘Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland’. This time, he embarks on a journey through the Republic of Ireland, beginning amidst the wild…

Michael Portillo returns to the rails, guided by his well-worn copy of Bradshaw’s ‘Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland’ from the Victorian age. His journey this time takes him through the Republic of Ireland, beginning amidst…

Michael Portillo returns to the rails, guided by a Bradshaw’s ‘Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland’ from the Victorian age. His railway journey this time traverses the Republic of Ireland, beginning amidst the dramatic landsc…

Michael Portillo returns to the rails, guided by his faithful Bradshaw’s ‘Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland’ from the Victorian age. His railway journey this time traverses the Republic of Ireland, beginning amidst the dram…

Michael Portillo returns to the rails, guided by his Victorian-era Bradshaw’s 'Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland'. His railway journey through the Republic of Ireland now takes him from the wild landscapes of County Kerry, …