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Documentary

Great Coastal Railway Journeys

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

Series 3: 1. Axminster to Budleigh Salterton (29 mins)

1. Axminster to Budleigh Salterton

Michael Portillo embarks on another journey exploring the shores of Britain.

29 mins

2. Exeter to Plymouth

Michael Portillo reaches Devon’s county town, Exeter, dominated by its gothic cathedral.

3. Tintagel to St Austell

Michael leaves Devon for Cornwall and the rugged Atlantic coast of its northern shore.

4. St Mawes to Porthcurno

Michael reaches the pretty Cornish fishing village of St Mawes.

5. Isles of Scilly

Michael Portillo finishes his journey in the Scillonian archipelago.

6. Cardigan Bay to Abergynolwyn

Michael Portillo embarks on a railway journey around the western coast of Wales.

7. Harlech to Abedaron

Michael tracks the coastline north from Harlech to skirt the Llyn Peninsula.

8. Porthmadog to Anglesey

Michael steams through the glorious scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.

9. The Isle of Anglesey

Michael is on the Isle of Anglesey, encountering a Welsh gastronomic delight.

10. Conwy to Colwyn Bay

Michael Portillo takes the train to the medieval walled town of Conwy.

11. Eastbourne to Rye

Michael sets off to explore the English Channel and the Thames and Medway estuaries.

12. Folkestone to Le Touquet

Michael Portillo travels through the longest undersea tunnel in the world.

13. Dover to Margate

Michael is in Dover, where he recalls the biggest evacuation in military history.

14. Birchington-on-Sea to Whitstable

Michael ’s railway exploration of the Channel coastline has reached the Isle of Thanet.

15. Faversham to Chatham

Michael gets out onto the water in the last sailing barge to work on the Thames.

16. Canvey Island to Wrabness

Michael Portillo embarks on a new railway journey around the coast of the east of England.

17. Woodbridge to Southwold

Michael is plunged in at the deep end on a rafting challenge with the sea scouts.

18. Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth

Michael’s journey takes him to the treacherous waters off the Norfolk coast.

19. West Runton to Burnham Market

Michael examines a replica of the smallest bone in Britain's largest mammoth.

20. Wells-next-the-Sea to the Wash

Michael Portillo’s rail exploration of the eastern reaches of England draws to a close.