Michael Portillo’s railway tour continues as he travels along the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. He visits an iron ore mine turned into an arts centre and discovers the cradle of Quakerism.
Michael Portillo’s railway tour of Cumbria and Dumfriesshire continues as he travels along the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. Just outside Egremont, he visits Florence Mine, an old iron ore mine now transformed into an arts centre that produces vibrant pigments from its haematite.
In Ulverston, he discovers the cradle of Quakerism at Swarthmoor Hall, where secret meetings were once held by Quaker founder George Fox. Michael is invited to a Quaker meeting. The journey wraps up in the Lyth Valley, where damsons are the local delicacy. Michael whips up a damson clafoutis.