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Great British Railway Journeys

Documentaries

Factual: History

Factual: Travel

Documentary series in which Michael Portillo travels the country by train.

All aboard! Armed with his trusty Bradshaw's guide, Michael Portillo explores the UK the railways made. Uncover hidden gems and fascinating communities from across the nation.

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Michael Portillo

Alison Kreps

John Comerford

Boundless Productions

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 6: Episode 14: Middlesbrough to Hexham

Episode 14

Episode 14: Middlesbrough to Hexham

Series 6

Middlesbrough to Hexham

BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys, Series 6, Middlesbrough to Hexham

At Jarrow, Michael visits the monastery to learn about its famous monk, Bede.

Michael Portillo continues his journey from Derby to Lindisfarne. In Middlesbrough, he visits one of the last cast-iron foundries in the city.

Following his Bradshaw's Handbook, Michael Portillo begins this leg of his journey from Derby to Lindisfarne in the Victorian ironopolis of Middlesbrough. He visits one of the last cast-iron foundries in the city and helps cast a carrot valve for a steam engine.  

His next stop is Darlington, spiritual home of the railways, where he learns how the city profited from its fast connections to the capitals of England and Scotland by developing a newspaper industry. Michael meets the editor of the Northern Echo and finds out about the colourful history of one of his predecessors, WT Stead. 

At Jarrow, Michael visits the monastery to learn about its famous monk, the father of English history, Bede. His last stop on this leg of his journey is Hexham, where he visits a historic ginger-beer emporium.

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 6

BBC Two

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Michael Portillo finds out how railways have impacted on the places they link.

Michael Portillo takes train journeys across Britiain, finding out how railways were used and the impact they have had on the places they link.

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Great British Railway Journeys

Series 6

Episode 14: Middlesbrough to Hexham

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