A glorious insight into the history, landscape and people of Britain, from The Sunday Times bestseller.

The line between Great Yarmouth to London brought holidaymakers flocking to the coast and transported herrings, fresh vegetables and milk into London. Starting in Great Yarmouth, Michael Portillo’s journey takes him through the coastal resorts of Southwold and Southend via innovative swing bridges at Reedham and Yare, and towards the capital itself, the scene of frenzied construction of railway terminals and underground lines during the Victorian era. He also learns about the first ever railway murder, and discovers the history of Cleopatra’s Needle.

Places visited: Great Yarmouth, Reedham, Lowestoft, Southwold, Westerfield, Felixstowe, Essex, Colchester, Chelmsford, Clifftown, Southend, Stratford, London.

This individual journey is one of a series taken from the bestselling books Great British Railway Journeys and Great Victorian Railway Journeys that accompany the highly successful BBC Two series. 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.