Journey 5: Ledbury to Holyhead (Great British Railway Journeys, Book 5)

From Oxford to Pershore takes just under an hour with a change required at Droitwich Spa. Michael discovers Britain's hidden micro-mines within the Forest of Dean, sees why the Victorians fell for the romantic ruins of Tintern Abbey and uncovers the railway engineering behind the industrial icon that is Newport Transporter Bridge. From Lydney to Newport takes about 30 minutes. Michael discovers the Victorian coal heritage that turned Cardiff into the city it is today, explores the 19th-century reason why Barry Island isn't an island, and takes a steam ride through the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park From Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

From there it is possible to reach the Brecon Mountain Railway by taking a bus. Michael explores the Victorian railway legacy behind the steel works of Port Talbot, follows the trail of 19th-century waterfall hunters in Neath, and uncovers the fascinating whaling past of Milford Haven. From Port Talbot to Milford Haven takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Michael discovers the unique cross-border history of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, hears the unique story of the Pitman Painters of Ashington and sees first-hand the perils of working on the rails in Victorian times. From Berwick-upon-Tweed to Morpeth takes about 30 minutes. Michael gets his hands dirty following the example of Victorian archaeologists at Hadrian's Wall, discovers how the invention of the ticket machine made a big difference to 19th century rail users, and sees how the Victorian railways first fuelled invention in Wigton.

From Bardon Mill to Wigton takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes with a change required in Carlisle. Michael drinks a Victorian brew drawn from the pure waters of Cockermouth, steps inside the hidden world of nuclear reprocessing at Sellafield, and travels into the wonders of a Japanese inspired, 19th century garden. The railway from Cockermouth closed in , the nearest station is now Mary Port.

Michael also rides on the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway. Michael finds out the secrets behind Kirkby's famous blue slate, submerges himself into a secret world of nuclear submarines in Barrow, and sees why the executions at Lancaster Castle drew the Victorians in their droves.

From Kirkby-in-Furness to Lancaster takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes on a direct train. Michael sets sail from Heysham to the Isle of Man, where he discovers the horse trams of Douglas, the 19th-century secrets of the giant Laxey Wheel, and the Victorian history of the delightful Snaefell mountain railway. We can issue through rail tickets from UK stations to Douglas including the ferry from Heysham, please ask for prices.

We can also issue passes valid on most of the Island's railways.

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For customers wishing to recreate these journeys a one country InterRail pass would be valid for the three journeys in the Republic of Ireland, or all five journeys if you are resident outside of the UK. Michael observes the amazing engineering feat involved in building the railway along Dublin's treacherous East coast, explores 19th century crime and punishment in a Victorian jail, and finds out how the lions of Dublin Zoo changed the fortunes of the railways.

Michael travelled south from Bray to Greystones taking about 10 minutes, and then back north for about 55 minutes to Dublin through the spectacular tunnels. We are not able to supply tickets for this journey. Michael explores the extensive railway network within the Bog of Allen, discovers the Victorian secrets behind the amazing Boyne Viaduct, and travels underground, into the vast Irish Zinc mines.

From Enfield to Drogheda takes about 2 hours and requires a change of trains in Dublin. Michael explores the Victorians' fascination with antiquity, by visiting the amazing Cromlech stones of Dundalk. He reaches for the stars at the Armagh Observatory and travels in style along the steam railway of Downpatrick. From Dundalk to Portadown takes about 40 minutes on a direct train. Michael explores the fascinating history of Belfast's Victorian docks, discovers the Irish spade making traditions untouched for over years and takes a walk on the wild side with Whitehead's Victorian coastal paths.

From Belfast to Whitehead takes about 30 minutes on a direct train. Michael takes a white knuckle walk over the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, follows in the footsteps of the Victorians to experience the delights of the Giant's Causeway and explores the rich history of Londonderry.

From Ballymoney to Londonderry takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, at present a bus replacement service is running between Coleraine and Londonderry. The first of a series of journeys along the tracks that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution begins in the rolling Chiltern Hills. Michael meets the remarkable craftsmen behind the Victorian furniture trade, discovers how George Bradshaw helped save Britain's canal heritage and sees Shakespeare through the eyes of a 19th century railway tourist.

Michael learns how the railways helped to make Birmingham the pen-making capital of the world, hears the chilling tale of one of 19th century Britain's most notorious murderers and samples the delicacies concocted in a Victorian kitchen at Shugborough Hall. From Birmingham to Stafford via Tamworth takes about 1 hour. Michael explores one of the greatest locomotive factories in railway history, discovers the dark side of the industrial revolution and learns how, in Victorian times, the potteries brought their products to the masses.

From Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford requires a change of trains in Crewe, and takes about 1 hour. Michael elearns how Victorian blacksmithing was not for the faint-hearted, rides one of Britain's most modern trains and traverses the remarkable Victoria Bridge. From Dudley to Kidderminster trains run half-hourly, and take approximately 45 minutes. The heritage line can be picked up in Kidderminster to travel to Bridgnorth. The timetable for this service varies seasonally, and can be found here.

Michael experiences Victorian entertainment, hears how the railways took Welsh textiles into even the most exclusive households and unleashes the power of a 19th century engineering triumph Services depart twice daily in each direction, with journeys taking approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. He feeds the crew of Britain's newest warship, discovers how the Victorians planned to repel a possible French invasion and learns that there's well established industry where one might least expect to find it A change of trains in Guildford is required on this route, with connections available every half hour during the day.

He gets close to some precious Victorian botany at Kew Gardens, tries his hand at croquet and discovers a very surprising 19th century place of worship. Portillo first travels from Woking to Kew Gardens via Clapham Junction, a journey that also requires a change of trains in Richmond. It takes about one hour. He then travels back to Richmond taking around 5 minutes. After a stop he travelled onward to Wimbledon, about 30 minutes and finally another 7 minutes on to Clapham Junction. He learns how volunteer Victorian fire fighters liked a tipple, discovers how even 19th century sewage pumps were a celebration of design and puts in a shift at the oldest fish market in Britain.

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This is not part of the Transport for London network and tickets will need to be purchased online, by phone or on the boat. Oyster card holders receive a discount on the boat. He then takes a Thames Clipper from Canary Wharf to Woolwich Arsenal, again discounts are available for Oyster Card and Travelcard holders but separate tickets are required. A four minute ride on a Southeastern train completes the journey to Abbey Wood. He discovers how derelict Victorian London is being rejuvenated, puts in a shift at a Cambridgeshire brick factory and meets the immigrant community built from it.

Half-hourly direct services taking 45 minutes run between Kings Cross and Peterborough. He sees how Lincolnshire farmers utilised rails to improve their harvests, visits Lincoln's most impressive cathedral and looks to the future of rail freight This journey requires a change of trains in Lincoln, with total journey time of approximately 2. Michael learns about a Scottish hero, visits a Highland Games and discovers how an impressive piece of Victorian engineering ended in tragedy. Six direct services run from Sterling to Invergowie on weekdays, and there are five direct returns.

Michael learns how Queen Victoria used to hide from her subjects, discovers how factory workers went deaf and goes out with a bang in Aberdeenshire. Direct services run half-hourly between these locations, with the journey duration ranging from 1 hour 10 minutes to an hour and a half. In this programme, Michael explores the scenery of rural and coastal Scotland, travelling from Stirling to the beauty of the western lochs, ending his journey in John O'Groats.

Michael learns how one man's vision helped bring train travel to the Highlands, discovers how farming has changed since Bradshaw's day and hears the remarkable tale of Scotland's Victorian gold rush. Journeys to Wick take 3. MToday, Michael gets to grips with the old grey matter at a Victorian asylum, gives an historic horse a facelift and makes malt the 19th century way. Travel from Paddington to Bath Spa, then from there to Warminster. Michael visits a world famous tourist hotspot that's been captivating visitors since the Victorian era, takes to the air in Yeovil and tries his hand at cloth making, the 19th century way.

Journeys take approximately 1. Michael explores a church that moves in mysterious ways, finds out just what it takes to run a 19th century signal box and summons all his strength, to move a one hundred and ten tonne steam locomotive. Regular local bus services are available from Taunton to Bishop's Lydeard where the heritage line can be picked up for onward travel to Minehead.

Michael gets up close to a piece of natural history, visits a garden used as a viewing platform for public hangings and experiences a timepiece like no other. Unfortunately this line is currently closed while works are carried out to the track. Michael takes to sea with the heroes of the RNLI, visits a stormy coastal railway and has a close personal encounter with his boyhood her Direct services run from Exmouth to Newton Abbot at 23 minutes passed each hour and the journey takes approximately one hour and five minutes. For customers wishing to recreate these journeys a one country InterRail pass would be valid.

In this episode Michael samples nineteenth century foodie delicacies, explores a stunning landscape shot to fame by rails and royals and risks life and limb for the gift of the gab. Direct services run from Killarney to Cork at 23 minutes every couple of hours and the journey takes approximately one hour and twenty five minutes. From there a train leaves on the hour taking 24 minutes to reach Cobh.

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In this episode, Michael learns the ancient art of butter making, attempts to learn the basics of Ireland's oldest game, and rides the Duke of Devonshire's Victorian Irish railway. A change of trains is required at Limerick Junction, the total journey takes about two hours. In this episode, Michael tries his hand at cutting marble Victorian style, uncovers 19th century Ireland's surprising industrial heritage and learns how the railways helped bring motorsport to the masses.

Direct trains take about 40 minutes to travel from Kilkenny to Athy. In this episode, Michael visits the Irish National Stud, discovers how harsh life was for the Irish poor and uncovers an astronomical feat of Victorian engineering. This journey requires two changes of trains, at Portlaoise and Ballybrophy, taking about one hour twenty minutes in total. In this episode, Michael is on the final leg of his Irish journey and discovers historic jewellery with royal connections in Galway, meets a people's king and finds his voice with a traditional Irish singing group.

Direct trains take just under an hour. In the first leg of the journey, Michael finds out how the world's first industrialised city also gave birth to a revolutionary political movement and hears how railway workers founded one of the most successful football clubs in the world. Michael Portillo continues his journey through the North West of England. He begins in the elegant Lancashire resort of Southport, where the railways brought thousands of visitors to enjoy the pier and all the fun of the fair. Michael discovers Victorian entrepreneurship in Wigan, traces the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in Bolton and drives a hundred-year-old commercial vehicle in Leyland.

From Southport to Leyland, with a change of trains in Bolton takes just over 1 hour. He celebrates Victorian trade with the Preston Guild then heads to Rochdale where he discovers a pioneering movement that helped improve the lot of working families. Michael follows in the tracks of swathes of nineteenth-century working people who made day trips from the industrial towns to Hebden Bridge to walk in the beautiful Calder Valley. From Preston to Rochdale takes around 2 hour 30 minutes with a change of trains in Burnley. Michael Portillo begins this leg of his journey from Manchester to Chesterfield at the home of the three Bronte sisters in Worth Valley, Yorkshire.

He then moves on to Oakworth where he learns how the station and its heritage railway line secured a starring role in one of the most popular films ever made. In Bradford, Michael finds out how nineteenth-century workers could save to buy a home of their own, and in Halifax discovers how the railway contributed to the town's sweet success. From there to Huddersfield takes around 1 hour with a change of trains in Leeds. If you would like an escorted tour of this area then our Railways of the North tour maybe just right. On the last leg of his journey from a notorious slum in Manchester to the grandeur of a ducal seat in Derbyshire, Michael Portillo tunes in to the music of the mills and collieries of Victorian England, testing his puff with the brass band at Honley.

In Holmfirth, Michael finds out about a nineteenth-century tragedy that struck the town and led to a tourist boom on the railways. At Chesterfield, Michael pays homage to the father of the railway, George Stephenson, before finishing his journey in style at one of the first stately homes to welcome visitors by rail - Chatsworth. From Honley to Chesterfield takes around 1 hour 30 minutes with a change of trains in Sheffield.

Peak Rail now run to Rowsley South, a new station close to the old "Rowsley for Chatsworth" station which closed in In this first leg, he finds out what happened to the once proud Euston Arch then braves the watery depths under Camden Town to see how goods were transported by rail, road and canal. Clad in his old school blazer, Michael heads north to explore the Harrow of his childhood and remembers the tragic rail disaster of At the country estate of one of the world's wealthiest banking families in Tring, he discovers an exotic collection in need of special attention before alighting at Cheddington, scene of the Great Train Robbery.

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From Euston to Cheddington takes around 40 minutes on a direct London Midland train. Michael Portillo continues his journey north on Robert Stephenson's first inter-city railway line from the capital. Along the line at Bletchley he meets one of the Second World War's most secret agents, discovers a poet in Olney whose words are still sung today and explores the first purpose-built railway town at Wolverton. Michael's last stop on this leg is Newport Pagnell, where he learns the ancient craft of vellum making. The Wolverton to Newport Pagnell railway line closed in , but the route is now used as a cycle path.

Steered by his Bradshaw's Michael Portillo heads north on his journey from London to Leeds, stopping in Northampton, the land of shoemakers, where Victorian 'clickers' have been making shoes for more than years. In Rugby, Michael discovers the legacy of Dr Thomas Arnold and trains with the school's 1st XV before heading to Coventry, where he finds out how the city's craftsmen learned to adapt to survive.

Michael ends this leg of his journey in Nuneaton, birthplace of an author whose identity was once a closely guarded secret. From Northampton to Coventry takes around 45 minutes on London Midland trains with a change of train at Rugby. Admission to Coventry transport muesum is free and it is about a 15 minute walk from the station. Michael finds out about the hunt for the king's remains and how scientists managed to prove that the skeleton found under a car park was him.

From Rothley, Michael works his passage on the Great Central Railway to Loughborough, where the bells have been tolling since On the final leg of his journey along the first inter-city line to be built from the capital, Michael Portillo rediscovers a once-famous poet in Nottingham. In Mansfield he travels on a railway line resurrected by popular demand after falling victim to Beeching's cuts, then heads to Worksop, where he learns about the burrowing activities of an eccentric Duke.

Michael's next stop is 'railway city' Doncaster, where in the nineteenth century thousands laboured to build trains and where in the twentieth century, rail workers shaped British political history. His last stop on this journey is Leeds, where he auditions at the Venus and Venice of Variety on the stage at Britain's oldest continuously working music hall. Next travel on a Northern Rail train to Doncaster, taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes it is quicker, but more expensive to change trains on route in Retford.

Finally board an East Coast train for the final 35 minute journey to Leeds, don't make the same mistake Michael Portillo made - he accidently went to York! On this first leg he learns to set table aboard the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth before she sets sail and discovers how Cunard steamers began by transporting post across the Atlantic. He then heads to Netley, where he discovers the remains of an extensive military hospital built by order of Queen Victoria and from there to Basingstoke, where he finds out about a pitched battle between townspeople and the Salvation Army.

After inspecting the old Southampton Terminus station, and the pier railway Michael makes the 5 minute side trip from Southampton Central to Totton and back. He makes another short side trip to Netley, and finally travels from Southampton to Basingstoke. Michael Portillo continues his journey from the Hampshire coast to the West Midlands in a distinctly military vein. At Winchfield, he discovers the vast carriage which carried the Duke of Wellington's coffin to his state funeral at St Paul's Cathedral in and hears how the Duke's chestnut stallion also received full military honours when he was buried at the Duke's seat, Stratfield Saye.

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Michael then heads for Farnborough and the army camp at Aldershot, where, after the Crimean War, greater physical fitness among rank and file Victorian soldiers became a priority. Private Portillo joins the regulars to be put through his paces under military instruction. He ends this second leg of his journey in Crowthorne, where in the year his Bradshaw's was published, there opened a notorious new institution: England's first Asylum for the Criminally Insane, Broadmoor. Travelling from Winchfield to Crowthorne takes just over an hour, including walking from Farnborough to Farnbourgh North station.

The third leg begins in Wokingham, where Bradshaw's reports the proprietor of The Times newspaper resided and where he was a great benefactor. Michael finds out how demand from a growing number of rail commuters fuelled the development of the modern printing press and learns how to print on an iron press. He then heads to Newbury, where he encounters a Tudor captain of industry, who manufactured cloth in enormous volumes. Michael's next destination is Trowbridge, where Sir Isaac Pitman invented his famous shorthand. He ends this leg of the journey in Bradford on Avon, where he hears from a local manufacturer how his Victorian forebears were the first in Britain to be licensed to vulcanise rubber.

They supplied springs, buffers and hoses for the locomotive industry and now make rubber suspensions systems for bicycles. Michael travelled from Wokingham to Reading, on to Newbury and then to Trowbridge with a change of trains in Westbury, the final leg of the journey took him to Bradford-on-Avon. Michael Portillo continues his journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton beginning today in Chippenham, where at Lacock Abbey he discovers how the world's first photographic negative was made and learns how to make a print. He travels on to Bristol to visit the Victorian Clifton Zoo, where he finds tigers and polar bears before him also arrived by train.

Next stop is Severn Tunnel Junction in Wales, where he explores an extraordinary piece of Victorian engineering with its own pump house pumping out millions of gallons a day to keep it dry. Michael then heads for Gloucester to find out why the station became infamous for lost luggage. At the city's cathedral, Michael meets a stonemason who bravely invites him to chip away.

On the final leg of his journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton, Michael Portillo's first destination is the elegant spa town of Cheltenham, where he discovers a very early locomotive carriage which ran not on rails but on the road and is lucky enough to get behind the wheel. His next stop is the medieval town of Tewkesbury, scene of a grisly battle during the Wars of the Roses.

Armour-plated and sword at the ready, Michael joins a group of re-enactors for a taste of the action. Mercifully unscathed, he makes tracks for Droitwich to find out about how a lowly boatman became the King of Salt and lived in a beautiful chateau, an unexpected sight in the Midlands countryside. Michael's journey ends in Wolverhampton, where he hears Queen Victoria made an emotional visit which signalled the end of her exile from public life after mourning her husband, Prince Albert.

He learns how the townspeople showed off their talents to the Queen, among them the lost art of Japanning, a speciality of Wolverhampton. Cheltenham to Ashchurch for Tewkesbury takes about 8 minutes, Ashchurch to Droitwich Spa, with a change of trains at Worcester Shrub Hill takes just over one hour and the final leg from Droitwich Spa to Wolverhampton, changing trains at Smethwick Galton Bridge takes another hour. On this first leg he explores Norwich's medieval heart. In the city's Norman castle he uncovers the Victorian public's gory fascination with crime and punishment and finds out how campaigners such as Elizabeth Fry, who was born in Norwich, worked to improve conditions for prisoners.

At the city's livestock market, Michael learns how to buy a calf at auction with a subtle twitch of his guidebook. He then heads west to Thetford to explore the rabbit warrens of the Brecks. He discovers how the Victorian appetite for rabbits and their fur led to special train services to London, known as Bunny Trains.

After a painful encounter with a polecat, Michael heads northwest to Brandon, home of some of the best quality flint in Britain and tries his hand at flint-knapping.

My Rail Trip - Follow Michael Portillo's Great British Rail Journeys

Norwich to Brandon takes about 1 hour 25 minutes, with a change of trains in Thetford. Michael Portillo continues his journey from the east coast to the south coast beginning in the port of Ipswich, capital of the farming county of Suffolk. His first port of call is an agricultural implement works with its own railway sidings. Michael investigates what could have earned the Victorian manufacturer a special mention in his Bradshaw's. Ebooks kunnen worden gelezen op uw computer en op daarvoor geschikte e-readers.

Ebooks lezen is heel makkelijk: Samenvatting A glorious insight into the history, landscape and people of Britain, from The Sunday Times bestseller. Beginning with the grandeur of Oxford, Michael Portillo travels through the country of Shakespeare and Elgar and discovers the delights of Oxford sausages and Worcester sauce, the beauties of Malvern and its spa and the craft of glove-making. The journey continues into Wales, where the landscape is soon dominated by the development of the mining, steel and shipping industries, which in turn gave rise to the trade union movement and the birth of the Labour Party.

Michael Portillo follows the famous George Bradshaw railway guides in railway journeys across the length and breadth of the country, discovering spectacular scenery and stunning architecture and exploring local history and industry. Toon meer Toon minder. Charlie Bunce's words are the perfect compliment to Portillo's commentaries, and the entire book is a delight to read.

The original photography is stunning, while the historical photographs are simply fascinating. All in all, this is a book no serious history student of this period can afford to be without. It's for armchair travellers, yes indeed, but it's much more valuable than that. Lees de eerste pagina's. Reviews Schrijf een review. Janianne Leeuwarden 29 juli Overzichtelijk Compleet Rijk geillustreerd.