Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #1 - High Wycombe to Stratford-upon-Avon

   S4:E11/7/2013

   Michael Portillo embarks on another journey around the nation with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook to discover how the railways have affected people and what remains of Bradshaw's Britain. He begins by travelling from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, to Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, finding out about the remarkable craftsmen behind the Victorian furniture trade, discovering how George Bradshaw helped save Britain's canal heritage and seeing Shakespeare through the eyes of a 19th-century rail tourist.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #2 - Birmingham to Stafford

   S4:E21/8/2013

   Michael Portillo learns how the railways helped to make Birmingham the pen-making capital of the world, hears the chilling tale of one of 19th-century Britain's most notorious murderers and samples delicacies concocted in a Victorian kitchen at Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #3 - Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford

   S4:E31/9/2013

   Michael Portillo travels from Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford, Cheshire, finding out about one of the greatest locomotive factories in railway history along the way. He also discovers the dark side of the Industrial Revolution and learns how Victorian potteries brought their products to the masses.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #4 - Dudley to Bridgnorth

   S4:E41/10/2013

   Michael Portillo travels from Dudley in the West Midlands to Bridgnorth, Shropshire. He learns how Victorian blacksmithing was not for the faint-hearted, rides on one of Britain's most modern trains and traverses the Victoria Bridge at Bewdley in Worcestershire.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
5. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #5 - Welshpool to Aberystwyth

   S4:E51/11/2013

   Michael Portillo travels from Welshpool, Powys, to Aberystwyth in Ceredigion. He experiences Victorian entertainment in one of Wales's best-loved resorts, hears how the railways took the country's textiles into the most exclusive households and unleashes the power of a 19th-century engineering triumph.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
6. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #6 - Portsmouth to Gomshall

   S4:E61/14/2013

   Michael Portillo embarks on the next stage of his journey in which he travels from the naval hub of Portsmouth to Grimsby docks. On the first leg, he helps feed the crew of Britain's newest battleship, discovers how the Victorians planned to repel a possible French invasion and learns there is a well-established industry in an unlikely location.

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown
TRENDING NOW
The 20 BEST Episodes of Great British Railway Journeys
READ
7. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #7 - Woking to Clapham Junction

   S4:E71/15/2013

   Michael Portillo travels from Woking in Surrey to Clapham Junction in south London. Along the way he gets close to some precious Victorian botany at Kew Gardens, tries his hand at croquet and discovers a very surprising 19th-century place of worship.

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown
8. 

   7.4/10(6 votes)

   #8 - London Victoria to Abbey Wood

   S4:E81/16/2013

   Michael learns how volunteer Victorian firefighters liked a tipple, discovers that 19th-century sewage pumps were a marvel of design and puts in a shift at the oldest fish market in Britain.

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown
9. 

   NaN/10(0 votes)

   #9 - London King's Cross to Peterborough

   S4:E91/17/2013

   Michael Portillo discovers how derelict Victorian London is being rejuvenated. Furthermore he works in a shift at a Cambridgeshire brick factory and meets members of an immigrant community linked to it.

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Cassie Farrell

   Writer:Unknown
10. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Spalding to Grimsby

    S4:E101/18/2013

    Michael learns about how Lincolnshire farmers utilised rails to improve their harvests, visiting the impressive cathedral in Lincoln and looking to the future of rail freight.

    Director:Cassie Farrell

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Cassie Farrell

    Writer:Unknown
11. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Stirling to Invergowrie

    S4:E111/21/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw's Victorian railway guidebook, he travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw's World remains. Michael is exploring the stunning scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling, through the industrial east coast and dramatic Highland landscapes, to the beauty of the western lochs, finally ending his journey in John O'Groats. Michael learns about a Scottish hero, visits a Highland Games and discovers how an impressive piece of Victorian engineering ended in tragedy.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Dundee to Aberdeen

    S4:E121/22/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw's Victorian railway guidebook, he travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw's World remains. Michael is exploring the stunning scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling, through the industrial east coast and dramatic Highland landscapes, to the beauty of the western lochs, finally ending his journey in John O'Groats. Michael learns how Queen Victoria used to hide from her subjects, discovers how factory workers went deaf and goes out with a bang in Aberdeenshire.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
13. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Dufftown to Aviemore

    S4:E131/23/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw's Victorian railway guidebook, he travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw's World remains. Michael is exploring the stunning scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling, through the industrial east coast and dramatic Highland landscapes, to the beauty of the western lochs, finally ending his journey in John O'Groats. Michael learns how Victorian whisky trains were raided by robbers, travels along one of Scotland's most impressive viaducts and discovers that life is not always sweet on a shortbread production line.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
14. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Inverness to Plockton

    S4:E141/24/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw's Victorian railway guidebook. He travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw's world remains. In this programme, Michael explores the scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling to the beauty of the western lochs, ending his journey in John O'Groats. Michael rides one of Scotland's most picturesque railways, visits Scotland's smallest station and learns what went into a Victorian-style spa break.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
15. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Invergordon to John O'Groats

    S4:E151/25/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw's Victorian railway guidebook, he travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw's World remains. Michael is exploring the stunning scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling, through the industrial east coast and dramatic Highland landscapes, to the beauty of the western lochs, finally ending his journey in John O'Groats. Michael learns how one man's vision helped bring train travel to the Highlands, discovers how farming has changed since Bradshaw's day and hears the remarkable tale of Scotland's Victorian gold rush.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
16. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #16 - London Paddington to Warminster

    S4:E161/28/2013

    Michael gets to grips with the old grey matter at a Victorian asylum, gives an historic horse a facelift and makes malt the 19th century way.

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown
17. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Salisbury to Castle Cary

    S4:E171/29/2013

    Michael visits a world famous tourist hotspot that's been captivating visitors since the Victorian era, takes to the air in Yeovil and tries his hand at cloth making, the 19th century way.

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown
18. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Taunton to Minehead

    S4:E181/30/2013

    Michael explores a church that moves in mysterious ways, finds out just what it takes to run a 19th century signal box and summons all his strength, to move a one hundred and ten tonne steam locomotive.

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown
19. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Lynton and Lynmouth to Exeter

    S4:E191/31/2013

    Michael gets up close to a piece of natural history, visits a garden used as a viewing platform for public hangings and experiences a timepiece like no other.

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown
20. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Exmouth to Newton Abbot

    S4:E202/1/2013

    Michael takes to sea with the heroes of the RNLI, visits a stormy coastal railway and has a close personal encounter with his boyhood hero.

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Dave Minchin

    Writer:Unknown
21. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Killarney to Cobh

    S4:E212/4/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks once again using his Bradshaw's 'Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland' from the Victorian era. Portillo is on a railway journey through the Republic of Ireland travelling from the rugged beauty of County Kerry, across the rural Irish Midlands to end in the city of Galway on the Atlantic coast. In this episode Michael samples nineteenth century foodie delicacies, explores a stunning landscape shot to fame by rails and royals and risks life and limb for the gift of the gab.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
22. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Charleville to Waterford

    S4:E222/5/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks once again using his Bradshaw's 'Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland' from the Victorian era. Portillo is on a railway journey through the Republic of Ireland travelling from the rugged beauty of County Kerry, across the rural Irish Midlands to end in the city of Galway on the Atlantic coast. In this episode, Michael learns the ancient art of butter making, attempts to learn the basics of Ireland's oldest game, and rides the Duke of Devonshire's Victorian Irish railway.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
23. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Kilkenny to Athy

    S4:E232/6/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks once again using his Bradshaw's 'Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland' from the Victorian era. Portillo is on a railway journey through the Republic of Ireland travelling from the rugged beauty of County Kerry, across the rural Irish Midlands to end in the city of Galway on the Atlantic coast. In this episode, Michael tries his hand at cutting marble Victorian style, uncovers 19th century Ireland's surprising industrial heritage and learns how the railways helped bring motorsport to the masses.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
24. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Newbridge to Roscrea

    S4:E242/7/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks once again using his Bradshaw's 'Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland' from the Victorian era. Portillo is on a railway journey through the Republic of Ireland travelling from the rugged beauty of County Kerry, across the rural Irish Midlands to end in the city of Galway on the Atlantic coast. In this episode, Michael visits the Irish National Stud, discovers how harsh life was for the Irish poor and uncovers an astronomical feat of Victorian engineering.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown
25. 

    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Athlone to Galway

    S4:E252/8/2013

    Michael Portillo takes to the tracks once again using his Bradshaw's 'Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland' from the Victorian era. Portillo is on a railway journey through the Republic of Ireland travelling from the rugged beauty of County Kerry, across the rural Irish Midlands to end in the city of Galway on the Atlantic coast. In this episode, Michael is on the final leg of his Irish journey and discovers historic jewellery with royal connections in Galway, meets a people's king and finds his voice with a traditional Irish singing group.

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:Tom Richardson

    Writer:Unknown