Programme Information

Michael Portillo continues his rail journey through Britain

Michael Portillo embarks on a two-day tour of the Lake District, as the third leg of his journey from Preston to Kirkcaldy continues, in the series that sets out to discover what remains of George Bradshaw's – the man who transformed travel in the UK – Britain.

Following Bradshaw's guide, Michael starts in Windermere, where steamboat enthusiast Roger Mallinson takes him out on his boat to the north end of the lake. There, they take tea and enjoy the views just as the Victorians did.

Michael then stops off at Claife viewing station, a popular lakeside attraction in Bradshaw's day, before heading to the south end of the lake to meet environmentalist John Pinder. John explains how increasing levels of tourism have resulted in high levels of pollution in the water, and he and his colleagues sail out onto the water with Michael to show him how they're monitoring pollution levels in the lake, and how they're reducing them.

Back on dry land, Michael spends the night in Grasmere at the Swan Inn. Recommended by Bradshaw, it was also one of Wordsworth's favourite places for breakfast. The next day he travels on to Kendal where, after a brief stop in the market to buy some Kendal mint cake, he meets local farmer Peter Gott. Peter's family have been in the area for hundreds of years and he talks to Michael about the impact the railways had on farming practices. Peter also takes Michael up onto the fells to see his herd of local Herdwick sheep, and teaches him how to make sausages in his farm shop.

SD2