Great British Railway Journeys

Original version

BBC Four

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

BBC Four HD

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.

BBC Scotland

BBC Two England

England

BBC Two Scotland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

BBC Two Northern Ireland

A BBC TV channel for Scotland which will broadcast every evening and will show drama, factual, comedy and news programmes made in Scotland

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

BBC Scotland HD

Michael Portillo

Alison Kreps

Joseph Cunningham

FremantleMedia

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 9: Episode 1: Cromer to Cambridge

Series 9

Episode 1

Episode 1: Cromer to Cambridge

Cromer to Cambridge

BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys, Series 9, Cromer to Cambridge

Michael Portillo takes a pot shot at the sport of kings at a country estate.

Michael Portillo embarks on a series of railway journeys through Edwardian Britain. His first journey follows in the footsteps of King Edward VII.

Michael Portillo fast tracks to the early 20th century to embark on a new series of railway journeys through Edwardian Britain. His 'new' guide book, published over a hundred years ago, unlocks Britain's railways at their zenith, when some 20,000 miles of track reached into every corner of the country. Michael navigates a vibrant and optimistic Britain, at the height of its power and influence in the world, but a nation wrestling with political, social and industrial unrest at home.

His first journey follows in the footsteps of the new monarch for the new century, King Edward VII, from the grand estates of Norfolk to a bivouac on Brownsea Island. In this first episode, Michael takes a pot shot at the sport of kings at a country estate, where the king dallied with his mistress. He learns the ropes aboard an Edwardian wherry on the Norfolk Broads and joins variety performers to tap dance on Cromer Pier. In Cambridge, he investigates the student days of the young Prince of Wales and the novelist EM Forster, author of Howard's End.

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 9

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Michael Portillo embarks on a series of railway journeys through Edwardian Britain.

Michael Portillo fast tracks to the early 20th century to embark on a series of railway journeys through Edwardian Britain.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Great British Railway Journeys

Series 9

Episode 1: Cromer to Cambridge

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four