Great British Railway Journeys

Great British Railway Journeys is a TV show on BBC4. Documentary series in which Michael Portillo travels the country by train. The program has been available since 2024. A total of 189 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in April 2025.
Last broadcast:02/04/2025 at 12:30
Last episode
30:00


Great British Railway Journeys
An epic tour of Britain by rail. Michael Portillo visits the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, walks the Thames Tunnel and explores Chatham Historic Dockyard.
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Michael Portillo learns how trains shaped the controversial sport of fox hunting in another journey inspired by Victorian cartographer George Bradshaw.


More tales from a train. Michael Portillo hears about a Victorian recycling industry in Batley and meets a relative of the inspirational George Bradshaw himself.


How did rail travel shape Britain? Michael Portillo takes a Turkish bath in Harrogate, explores the Victorian model village of Saltaire and encounters some alpacas.


Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. A visit to the historic Durham Cathedral and a Dracula tour of Whitby.


Travels by train with the ex-Tory. Host Michael Portillo visits the world's first locomotive factory and searches for the lost pit village of Marsden.


Michael Portillo explores Britain by rail. Michael takes the train to the top of Mount Snowdon and discovers how the railways changed the tiny port of Holyhead.


Nostalgic series in which Michael Portillo retraces George Bradshaw's travels by train. Michael combs the Conwy valley and rides a steam train to Porthmadog.


Train travels with the ex-Tory. Michael Portillo explores Chester's Roman remains and discovers a secret World War II chemical weapons plant at Rhydymwyn in Wales.


Fascinating history travelogue. Michael Portillo sees the world's first iron bridge at Coalbrookdale, explores Chirk Castle and has a go at making Cheshire cheese.


Michael Portillo sets out on another trek, following the route of the Irish mail from Ledbury. Michael samples Victorian perry and encounters a Hereford bull.


Informative travels by train. Michael Portillo is in his element as he gets to drive a heritage diesel train. The ex-politician also samples some Cromer crab.


Michael Portillo hits the tracks to see how the railways have shaped Britain. Michael meets the last eel trapper on the Fens at Ely and visits the Denver Sluice.


Travels by train with Michael Portillo, who here visits the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield and discovers how the railways transformed Newmarket's races.


Michael Portillo is a happy man on a train. The ex-Tory MP learns about the changing fortunes of London's docks and a rail service that transported coffins.


Michael Portillo embarks on another epic quest by track, accompanied by George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. Michael visits Brighton's aquarium.
Series 1
30:00


Ex-MP Michael Portillo begins his epic trip from Buxton to London, visiting the Duke of Devonshire's stables and hopping on the historic steam railway to Rowsley.


Travels by train. Michael Portillo searches for the lost church of St Piran, explores a working tin mine in Cornwall and harvests oysters on the Helford River.


Epic rail journeys inspired by cartographer George Bradshaw. Michael Portillo visits the largest clay mine in the world near St Austell and goes pilchard fishing.


Series 2, Episode 20 - Hythe to Hastings
Expected on
Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of Britain by train. Hastings and Romney Marsh are on today's itinerary and Michael samples Kent's sparkling wine.