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Series 2 - Batley to Sheffield
Michael Portillo finds out about shoddy, a successful 19th-century recycling industry in the textile town of Batley, and meets a descendant of George Bradshaw.
Source: BBC 2
Most recent episodes of Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 15. Tewkesbury To Filton
Michael Portillo is on the last leg of his railway journey from the train-building city of Derby to the aircraft manufacturing base of Filton. From Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, ...
19-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 14. Wolverhampton To Cheltenham
At the African and Caribbean Heritage Centre in Wolverhampton, Michael finds out about the impact of Enoch Powell's 1968 speech on immigration in Wolverhampton and across the na ...
18-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 13. Long Itchington To Moseley
Michael Portillo’s railway journey reaches the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, where work is underway on a section of the biggest project of new railway infrastruct ...
14-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 12. Coventry To Leamington Spa
In Coventry, Michael recalls the destruction by the German Luftwaffe of the city’s gothic cathedral in November 1940. He hears how architect Basil Spence won a competition ...
12-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 11. Derby To Hinckley
Michael Portillo explores the postwar Britain of his youth on a railway journey from the Midlands to the West Country.\n\nBeginning in Derby's famous 19th-century railway works, ...
11-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 10. Brandon To Cambridge
Michael Portillo completes his railway journey through the east of England during the post-war period. At RAF Lakenheath, he discovers a slice of America dropped into the Britis ...
10-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 9. Felixstowe To Norwich
Michael Portillo continues his rail exploration of the east of England, beginning with the seafront at Felixstowe, where in January 1953, the town was engulfed in the worst floo ...
05-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 8. Paddington To Ongar
Michael Portillo ventures deep underground onto London’s newest railway: the Elizabeth Line. Emerging into the sunshine in Bedford Square, he recalls the choking smogs whi ...
04-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 7. Waterloo To Regent's Park
Michael Portillo continues his railway exploration of the post-war Britain of his youth on a journey from London to Cambridge. \n\nHe begins on the capital’s South Bank, ...
03-02-2026
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 14: 6. Tilbury To Barbican
Michael Portillo travels through the Britain of his youth from London’s Docklands and East End to the ‘city within a city’, the Barbican. \n\nAt Tilbury, he t ...
29-01-2026
BBC 2
Most popular episodes of Great British Railway Journeys
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 2 - Lochailort To Skye
Michael discovers how the railways helped train commandos at Lochailort in World War II, and explores the history of the highland crofters in Skye.
02-07-2014
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 11: 14. Saxmundham To Norwich
Michael Portillo continues his railway journey through eastern England from Canterbury to Skegness steered by his 1930s Bradshaw’s guidebook. \n\nStopping at Saxmundham ...
26-09-2024
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 2 - Durham To Grosmont
Michael Portillo visits Durham Cathedral and takes a Dracula tour in Whitby, before ending his journey on a steam train across the North Yorkshire Moors.
04-06-2014
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 9: 5. Swanwick To Brownsea Island
Steered by his Edwardian Bradshaw's guide, Michael Portillo promises to do his best on the island where Robert Baden Powell began the Scout movement in the early 20th century. J ...
14-02-2023
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 2 - Aylesford To Tunbridge Wells
Michael explores the life of Victorian hop pickers and finds out about Maidstone's revolutionary paper industry.
17-06-2014
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 11: 7. Truro To St Mawgan
Michael Portillo is in Cornwall’s county town, Truro, with his 1930s Bradshaw’s Guide. In the surrounding countryside, he finds the historic estate of Trewithen, who ...
13-08-2024
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 1 - Preston To Morecambe
Travel documentary. Michael Portillo explores the temperance movement's origins in Preston, visits Blackpool and meets Morecambe Bay's keeper of the sands.
07-10-2014
BBC 2
Great British Railway Journeys
Series 9: 13. Sheffield To Nantwich
With his Edwardian railway guidebook tucked under his arm, Michael Portillo is in the steel city of Sheffield, where he discovers an enormous and beautifully preserved early 20t ...
28-02-2023
BBC 2