Great British Railway Journeys

- Season 3

(2012)

Michael learns about the grave robbing history of Great Yarmouth, tries to work a Victorian Bridge Swing in Reedham and takes to the air to discover how a rail guidebook helped WWII aviators.

Michael follows the Victorians fascination with Britain's own Atlantis to the lost city of Dunwich, meets some gentle giants who helped the railways run smooth and visits the Port of Felixstowe.

Michael comes face to face with a medieval politician, takes a rail tour of Victorian freak show hot spots, and visits Southend to ride one of the world's first electric railways.

Michael visits Essex to discover why dairy herds travelled the length and breadth of Britain by rail, visits Waltham to see how the gunpowder made there fuelled the building of an empire.

Michael takes a ride on a secret miniature railway hidden beneath London's streets, rings the bells of the famous church of Bow, and tries his hand at station announcing at Fenchurch Street station.

Michael visits a station fit for royalty in Windsor, views an engineering triumph built by Brunel to span the Thames at Maidenhead, and tries his hand at collecting the mail 'Victorian style'.

Michael tastes a Victorian super food in Alton, explores the fascinating Whitchurch Silk Mill, untouched for over 150 years, and tries his hand at driving a steam train on the Watercress Line.

Michael experiences the magnificent Victorian organ at Winchester Cathedral, and goes behind the scenes at a 19th century rail works still running in Eastleigh today.

Michael's hunting down poisonous adders on the trail of a Victorian snake catcher, uncovering a secret library in Wimborne, and seeing the Poole potteries founded in the 19th century.

Michael uncovers the amazing oil fields hidden underneath England's quiet sea side resorts, and discovers the crucial role Weymouth played in the D-day landings.

Michael is lead to a special view of the city of Oxford by his 19th century guidebook, samples a Victorian Navvies brew made by steam power, and discovers a unique and colourful crop in the Cotswolds.

Michael visits the home of Queen Victoria's favourite bishop in Hartlebury, and sniffs out the secrets of a famous 19th century sauce in Worcester.

Michael discovers Britain's hidden micro-mines within the Forest of Dean, and sees why the Victorians fell for the romantic ruins of the Tintern Abbey.

Michael discovers the Victorian coal heritage that turned Cardiff into the city it is today, and explores the 19th century reason why Barry Island isn't an island.

Michael explores the Victorian railway legacy of Port Talbot, follows the trail of 19th century waterfall hunters in Neath, and uncovers the fascinating whaling past of Milford Haven.

Michael discovers the unique cross-border history of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, hears the unique story of the Pitman Painters of Ashington and sees first-hand the perils of working on the Victorian rails.

Michael gets his hands dirty following Victorian archaeologists at Hadrian's Wall, and discovers how the invention of the ticket machine made a big difference to 19th century rail users.

Michael drinks a Victorian brew drawn from the pure waters of Cockermouth, steps inside the hidden world of nuclear reprocessing at Sellafield, and travels into the wonders of a Japanese inspired, 19th century garden.

Michael finds out the secrets behind Kirkby's famous blue slate, and submerges himself into a secret world of nuclear submarines in Barrow.

Michael sets sail from Heysham to the Isle of Man, where he discovers the horse trams of Douglas, and the 19th century secrets of the giant Laxy Waterwheel.

Today Michael observes the amazing engineering feat involved in building the railway along Dublin's treacherous East coast, and explores 19th century crime and punishment in a Victorian jail.

Michael explores the extensive railway network within the Bog of Allen, discovers the Victorian secrets behind the amazing Boyne Viaduct, and travels underground, into the vast Irish Zinc mines.

Michael explores the extensive railway network within the Bog of Allen, discovers the Victorian secrets behind the amazing Boyne Viaduct, and travels underground, into the vast Irish Zinc mines.

Michael explores the fascinating history of Belfast's Victorian docks, discovers the Irish spade making traditions untouched for over 150 years and takes a walk on the wild side with Whitehead's Victorian coastal paths.

Michael takes a white knuckle walk over the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, follows in the footsteps of the Victorians to experience the delights of the Giant's Causeway and explores the rich history of Londonderry.