Great Coastal Railway Journeys Season 2, Episode 12: Ballymena to Carrickfergus

1

Douglas to Port Erin

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

29 min

2

Liverpool to Blackpool

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

29 min

3

Morecambe to Grange-over-Sands

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.

29 min

4

Ulverston to Ravenglass

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.

29 min

5

St Bees to Maryport

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.

29 min

6

Middlesbrough to Boulby

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.

29 min

7

Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay

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

29 min

8

Scarborough to Bridlington

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

29 min

9

Hornsea to Spurn Point

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.

29 min

10

Grimsby to Humberston Fitties

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.

29 min

11

Ballarena to Giant's Causeway

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.

28 min

12

Ballymena to Carrickfergus

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.

28 min

13

Bangor to Belfast

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

28 min

14

Carlingford to Dublin

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.

28 min

15

Dun Laoghaire to Rosslare

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

28 min

16

Weymouth to Lulworth

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.

28 min

17

Kimmeridge to Brownsea Island

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.

28 min

18

Southampton to Isle of Wight

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.

28 min

19

Lee-on-the-Solent to Bosham

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.

28 min

20

Fishbourne to Seaford

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

28 min