Michael Portillo meets the craftsmen behind Victorian furniture and sees Shakespeare through the eyes of a 19th-century railway tourist. Show more

Michael Portillo travels to the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth and unleashes the power of a 19th-century engineering triumph. Show more

Michael Portillo feeds the crew of Britain's newest warship and discovers how the Victorians planned to repel a possible French invasion. Show more

Michael Portillo learns about a Scottish hero, visits a Highland Games and discovers how an impressive piece of Victorian engineering ended in tragedy. Show more

Michael Portillo learns how Victorian whisky trains were raided by robbers and travels along one of Scotland's most impressive viaducts. Show more

Michael Portillo explores one of the greatest locomotive factories in railway history and discovers the dark side of the Industrial Revolution. Show more

Michael Portillo rides the stunning Severn Valley Railway across Victoria Bridge and learns how Victorian blacksmithing was not for the faint-hearted. Show more

Michael Portillo learns how Victorian fire fighters liked a tipple and discovers how even 19th-century sewage pumps were a celebration of design. Show more

Michael Portillo continues his journey through the north west. He learns about the Preston Guild, and in Rochdale, discovers a pioneering movement for workers. Show more

Michael Portillo's journey from London to Leeds continues. He explores the first purpose-built railway town at Wolverton and learns to make vellum. Show more

On the third leg of his journey, Michael Portillo learns how demand from rail commuters fuelled the development of the modern printing press. Show more

Michael Portillo's journey to Wolverhampton continues. He visits Clifton Zoo in Bristol and finds out why Gloucester station became known for lost luggage. Show more

Michael Portillo continues his journey through southern Scotland. He celebrates Victorian iron and steel in Motherwell, admiring the Forth Rail Bridge. Show more

On the last leg of his journey across Scotland from west to east, Michael Portillo pays homage to the birthplace of golf at St Andrews. Show more

Michael Portillo embarks on a series of journeys through London. He is invited aboard the construction locomotive for Crossrail. Show more

On the last of his journeys in the capital, Michael Portillo explores Albertopolis and reaches dizzying heights inside a Victorian landmark. Show more

Michael Portillo continues his journey from Derby to Lindisfarne. In Boston, Lincolnshire, he explores the connection between the town and its American namesake. Show more

Michael Portillo embarks on a journey from the East Midlands to the island of Lindisfarne. On this leg, he gives an old engine a fresh start in Derby. Show more

Michael Portillo continues his journey from the heart of the East Midlands to Northumberland's Holy Island. In Hessle, he learns about the Humber Bridge. Show more

Michael Portillo journeys from Newcastle up the north east coast to Lindisfarne. He finds out about the world's earliest swing bridge and its inventor. Show more