Great British Railway Journeys

- Season 9

(2018)

Michael follows in the footsteps of King Edward VII, from a grand estate in Norfolk to a bivouac on Brownsea Island. He learns the ropes aboard a wherry, tap dances on Cromer Pier and investigates the student days of E.M. Forster.

Michael visits an Edwardian utopia with a radical plan at its heart. Heading into London he visits The Ritz hotel, samples King Edward VII's favourite tipple and discovers how the London Underground continues to shape the capital.

Michael rediscovers a once-famous, now-forgotten, mixed-race composer. At Three Bridges he inspects a new fleet of trains. He learns about a literary connection to Lewes and visits Britain's oldest licensed airport.

In Chicester, Michael learns about an Edwardian motoring duo. He visits the majestic King's Theatre at Southsea. Crossing the Solent he explores the Isle of Wight.

Michael visits the island where the Scout movement began and learns how to make a bivouac. He searches out some unsung heroes of WWI in the New Forest. He examines beach huts in Bournemouth.

Michael travels through South Wales and South-West England to the tip of Cornwall. He starts his journey with some petrol-heads on Pendine Sands, learns about the 1911 national rail strike and visits Dylan Thomas' house in Swansea.

Michael Portillo strikes gold at the Royal Mint in Llantisant.

Michael prepares the Airbus 380 for a smooth landing at Fliton.

Michael Portillo is led a merry dance at Stogumber - all in the name of fertility.

Michael boldly goes to the moon by the way of the Cornish Rivera Express.

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In picturesque Snowdonia, Michael braves the fastest zip line in the world - stretching 1,500 feet across a vast slate quarry.