Great Coastal Railway Journeys 

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Michael Portillo embarks on railway adventures around the coasts of the British Isles.

All aboard! Weaving through charming seaside towns, historic landmarks and natural wonders, Michael Portillo explores the coastal communities the railways made.

Series 1

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

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BBC Two England

England

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 Two Northern Ireland

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

BBC Four HD

Michael Portillo

Dave Minchin

Alison Kreps

John Comerford

Fremantle

Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Series 1: Milford Haven to Fishguard

Milford Haven to Fishguard

BBC Two - Great Coastal Railway Journeys, Series 1, Milford Haven to Fishguard

Michael Portillo reaches the most westerly station in Wales, Milford Haven.

Michael Portillo reaches the most westerly station in Wales, Milford Haven, the biggest energy port in the United Kingdom. He then heads north, visiting Britain's smallest city and its cathedral.

On the final leg of his rail journey along Wales's southern coastline, Michael Portillo reaches the country's most westerly station. At Milford Haven, Michael learns from the harbour master about the biggest energy port in the United Kingdom, which has an oil refinery and storage terminals as well as natural gas terminals. Further along the estuary at Pembroke Dock, Michael visits a pioneering project to harness the power of the sea. Michael gets a sneak preview of the vast yellow dishes, which will act like a bellows to capture the energy of waves.

Travelling north towards Haverfordwest, Michael heads for St David’s Peninsula, where an ecological co-operative is turning to the sea for a new way of farming. In a treacherous stretch of water known as the Ramsey Sound, Michael joins two young farmers who are growing seaweed, mussels, scallops and oysters sustainably without freshwater, land, fertilisers or pesticides – truly zero input farming.

Michael’s next stop is Britain’s smallest city, St David’s. Michael joins the dean to tour its 12th-century cathedral and to hear about Wales’s patron saint.

The pastel-coloured houses and circular harbour of Fishguard is Michael’s last destination on his adventure. Although it's a quiet town today, Michael discovers that, during the 18th century, the town came under attack by French forces in the last recorded invasion on British soil. Michael experiences for himself how the French were sent packing by the ladies of the town in their national red coats and black hats, and admires a Bayeux-style tapestry which commemorates the event.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Series 1

BBC Two

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Great Coastal Railway Journeys

Series 1

Milford Haven to Fishguard

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