Great British Railway JourneysSeries 5Episodes Episode guide

Back up to: Great British Railway Journeys

1. Brighton to Chichester

   20/20Michael Portillo discovers the history behind the extraordinary Pavilion at Brighton.
2. Faversham to Dorking

   19/20Michael Portillo heads into Surrey where he blow-dries a hen in Dorking.
3. Ilford to Rochester

   18/20Michael heads along the Essex bank of the Thames before crossing the river into Kent.
4. Ipswich to Chelmsford

   17/20Michael Portillo visits an agricultural implement works with its own railway sidings.
5. Norwich to Brandon

   16/20In Norwich Castle, Michael uncovers the Victorian public's gory fascination with crime.
6. Cheltenham to Wolverhampton

   15/20Michael Portillo joins battle re-enactors in Tewkesbury before heading to Wolverhampton.
7. Chippenham to Gloucester

   14/20Michael Portillo finds out why Gloucester station became known for lost luggage.
8. Wokingham to Bradford-on-Avon

   13/20Michael learns how the railways fuelled the development of the modern printing press.
9. Winchfield to Crowthorne

   12/20Michael Portillo is put through his paces when he visits the army camp at Aldershot.
10. Southampton to Basingstoke

    11/20Michael Portillo learns to set the table aboard a luxury liner and visits Basingstoke.
11. Nottingham to Leeds

    10/20Michael visits Mansfield, Worksop and Doncaster before auditioning at a Leeds music hall.
12. Leicester to Loughborough

    9/20Michael learns about the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester.
13. Northampton to Nuneaton

    8/20From Northampton, town of shoemakers, Michael goes on to Rugby, Coventry and Nuneaton.
14. Bletchley to Newport Pagnell

    7/20Michael visits Wolverton, the first purpose-built railway town, and learns to make vellum.
15. London Euston to Cheddington

    6/20Michael Portillo travels from Euston to Cheddington, scene of the Great Train Robbery.
16. Honley to Chesterfield

    5/20Michael visits one of the first stately homes to welcome visitors by rail - Chatsworth.
17. Haworth to Huddersfield

    4/20Michael visits the home of the three Bronte sisters in Worth Valley, Yorkshire.
18. Preston to Rochdale

    3/20Michael celebrates Victorian trade with the Preston Guild.
19. Southport to Leyland

    2/20Continuing through the north west, Michael visits Southport, Wigan, Bolton and Leyland.
20. Manchester to Birkenhead

    1/20Michael finds out how Manchester gave birth to a revolutionary political movement.