Great British Railway Journeys

Armed with his early 20th century Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey through Britain's industrial heartland in the footsteps of King George V. Starting at what was then the gateway to Lancashire - Warrington - Michael discovers this was no ordinary royal tour. He learns how it began with huge excitement among townsfolk, whose mayor, Dr George Joseph, received the royal party in the parlour of Warrington's magnificent town hall.

Michael Portillo continues his rail tour of Britain's industrial northwest, steered by his early nineteenth century Bradshaw's guide. In Blackburn, he catches a rare glimpse of Edwardian life on celluloid and marvels at how factory workers and schoolchildren alike were drawn to seek fame on film. Continuing east to Nelson, Michael braves the enemy camp to have a pint of tea with the socialist working classes in Britain's last Clarion House. Way out of his comfort zone, he is heartened by their warm welcome. Taking his rail campaign south, Michael reaches a magnificently renovated mid-19th century Manchester Victoria station, from where he heads to the Manchester Art Gallery to investigate reports of an outrage in 1913. Michael discovers the former home, now a museum and women's centre, of the radical family that advocated such outrages, the Pankhursts. He hears from the curator what motivated Emmeline and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia and learns how they made themselves heard.

Armed with his early 20th century Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo continues his journey from Warrington to the Potteries in Stoke on Trent. In Manchester at the magnificent Heaton Park, Michael discovers one of the first open-air concerts was held here in 1909 by an opera fan, William Grimshaw, who entertained 40,000 people to the music of opera superstar Enrico Caruso on a gramophone.

Michael Portillo continues his tour of Britain's industrial heartlands guided by his early 20th-century Bradshaw's. Michael heads for Maltby, where he is caught up with the thrill of the chase as he investigates the high-octane sport of whippet racing. He learns how this 'poor man's sport' grew during the 19th century in the mining towns of the north and retains its appeal today.

Michael Portillo reaches Birmingham and discovers how a radical reformer would make his mark on the city of a thousand trades. At Highbury Hall, he finds Joseph Chamberlain's splendid mansion home and hears how he established a political dynasty including a prime minister and a foreign secretary. Next stop is Cradley Heath, at the time of his Bradshaw's one of five chain-making towns in the West Midlands. Michael learns how 90 percent of the chain workshops in England and Wales were located here and that female workers earned a pittance to produce goods in their homes.

Beginning in Newry, Michael Portillo finds a specially chartered train that would deliver demonstrators campaigning for Irish Home Rule to a rally in the town.

Michael Portillo continues his rail journey through Northern Ireland. In Belfast's grand Edwardian City Hall, Michael investigates the scene of a watershed moment in Irish history.

Leaving from the seaport of Larne, Michael Portillo reaches Stranraer and the Mull of Galloway, where in a lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson, he discovers a magnificent machine.

Michael Portillo explores the industrial heartland of Glasgow and its mighty River Clyde before taking the ferry to the island of Cumbrae.

Michael Portillo falls into line with the University of Glasgow's Officer Training Corps.

In Warwick's medieval castle, Michael Portillo uncovers the scene of an extravagant and scandalous ball, which changed the life of its hostess, Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick.

Messing about in boats is the name of the game in Henley on Thames, where Michael Portillo slips into a launch to hear about the world-famous regatta.

In the Queen of the Suburbs, Ealing, Michael Portillo finds comedy at the home of British cinema and is transformed for the silver screen by expert hair and make-up.

At Covent Garden's Royal Ballet School, Michael Portillo hears how in 1909 a Russian ballet company took London by storm.

In Folkestone, Michael Portillo hears how the town coped with an influx of more than 100,000 refugees from Belgium fleeing the German invasion in 1914.