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Douglas to Port Erin

Episode number: 1

Overview: Michael Portillo begins another railway adventure across and beyond the United Kingdom.

Liverpool to Blackpool

Episode number: 2

Overview: From the Isle of Man, Michael Portillo crosses the Irish Sea, bound for the mighty port of Liverpool and its historic waterfront.

Morecambe to Grange-over-Sands

Episode number: 3

Overview: Michael Portillo continues his rail journey, learning to make potted shrimp at Morecambe Bay, helping clip the topiaries at Levens Hall and visiting Cartmel's 12th-century priory.

Ulverston to Ravenglass

Episode number: 4

Overview: Michael Portillo is in Cumbria, enjoying one of the most spectacular coastal railway journeys in Britain. He takes to the lake in Ulverston and hikes up Black Combe.

St Bees to Maryport

Episode number: 5

Overview: On the last leg of his railway journey around the north west coast of England, Michael meets a lifelong fan of Alfred Wainwright’s famous guidebooks.

Middlesbrough to Boulby

Episode number: 6

Overview: Michael's journey propels him in search of the unknown universe in Boulby, North Yorkshire, as he joins the hunt for dark matter in the deepest mine in Britain.

Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay

Episode number: 7

Overview: Michael Portillo travels from Whitby, where he explores the port’s shipbuilding and seafaring heritage, to Robin Hood's Bay, a former smuggling haven.

Scarborough to Bridlington

Episode number: 8

Overview: Michael Portillo is in the seaside resort of Scarborough to explore one of the greatest royal fortresses in England.

Hornsea to Spurn Point

Episode number: 9

Overview: Michael Portillo travels from the pretty seaside resort of Hornsea, famous for its distinctive pottery, to Spurn Point, where Michael learns about a life-saving 19th-century invention.

Grimsby to Humberston Fitties

Episode number: 10

Overview: Michael Portillo has reached Lincolnshire, where his coastal railway journey from Middlesbrough ends. In Grimsby, he investigates an important new stage in the town’s history.

Ballarena to Giant's Causeway

Episode number: 11

Overview: Michael Portillo is on Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast to begin a railway journey that takes him along the north and east coasts of Ireland through the provinces of Ulster and Leinster.

Ballymena to Carrickfergus

Episode number: 12

Overview: Michael Portillo is in the glens of Antrim, where Ireland’s folklore and magical myths flourish and he is transfixed by tales of fairies and legends of the sea.

Bangor to Belfast

Episode number: 13

Overview: Michael Portillo is in Bangor, County Down, en route to the Northern Irish capital, Belfast.

Carlingford to Dublin

Episode number: 14

Overview: Michael Portillo continues his railway journey along the Atlantic and Irish Sea coasts of Ireland, travelling from Newry into the Republic. He helps shake bags of oysters and visits an ancient cairn.

Dun Laoghaire to Rosslare

Episode number: 15

Overview: Michael Portillo begins the final leg of his railway journey, beginning in the harbour town of Dun Laoghaire

Weymouth to Lulworth

Episode number: 16

Overview: Michael is on a rail journey across the southern coast of England, beginning in Dorset. He takes to the water in Portland Harbour and hears the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.

Kimmeridge to Brownsea Island

Episode number: 17

Overview: Michael alights at Wareham to visit Dorset’s internationally renowned Jurassic Coast. He heads through Swanage, Poole and Sandbanks before ending his journey on Brownsea Island.

Southampton to Isle of Wight

Episode number: 18

Overview: Michael heads from a bustling Southampton to the Isle of Wight, where he rides the island’s railway, made up of recycled London Underground trains.

Lee-on-the-Solent to Bosham

Episode number: 19

Overview: Michael helps out at a coastguard training centre, visits the harbour master at the great maritime city of Portsmouth and learns about conservation projects in Chichester.

Fishbourne to Seaford

Episode number: 20

Overview: The final leg of Michael's journey begins in Fishbourne, the location of one of the most significant Roman sites in Britain.