Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 22nd May 2023) ** NEW SERIES **

Douglas to Port Erin. Series 2, episode 1. Michael Portillo returns to travel by train to more places around the British Isles, beginning by heading to the self-governing Isle of Man – a paradise for rail lovers. His first stop on the Manx Electric Railway is the capital of Douglas, where he reveals the island’s parliament the Tynwald is older than Westminster, before the Isle of Man Steam Railway takes him down the east coast to Castletown, from where he heads to the Norse Castle Rusheword.

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers (BBC 2/HD | 7:00pm to 7:30pm | Monday 22nd May 2023)

A River of Invention. Series 1, episode 4. Paul Murton explores the history of the River Nith in the south-west, from its source in a remote forest to the shining sands of the Solway Firth. Heading downstream, he hears the story of the Knockshinnoch mining disaster – how 116 men were saved from entombment after a massive earth collapse. He also learns about the first man to make a bicycle with pedals, heads to the riverside home of Robbie Burns and finds out how a Dumfries man helped Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 22rd May 2023)

Liverpool to Blackpool. Series 2, episode 2. Michael Portillo begins this leg of his journey at Liverpool’s historic waterfront, where he visits the International Slavery Museum at Royal Albert Dock, before heading underground to discover one of the most important and secret rooms of the Second World War, the Royal Navy’s Western Approaches Headquarters. His next stop is Crosby on the Merseyside coastline in Sefton, before making his way north to Blackpool, the last stop on this leg of his journey.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 23rd May 2023) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Kelly Jo’s makes a shocking revelation, causing problems for Nicky and her family and Amy finds herself infatuated with a colleague. Kim’s day goes from bad to worse after a conversation between her and Lindon is overheard before a meeting with the governors.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 24th May 2023)

Morecambe to Grange-Over-Sands. Series 2, episode 3. Michael Portillo continues his journey across the vast and beautiful Morecambe Bay, where he joins one of the town’s last shrimpers to find out how potter shrimp is made, From there, Michael makes his way to Arnside on the Furness Line, where he discovers a magnificently quirky 17th century garden, and across the Arnside viaduct, he reaches Cartmel and its 12th century priory and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 25th May 2023)

Ulverston to Ravenglass. Series 2, episode 4. Michael Portillo travels though Cumbria, setting sail in a small craft on Lake Windermer with a lifelong devotee of Arthur Ransome’s children’s books Swallows and Amazons. At Barrow-in-Furness, Michael investigates the mountains of scrap left behind as iron ore was turned into ships, trains and railway tracks, and discovers researchers are exploring how slagbanks could contribute to reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 26th May 2023)

St Bees to Maryport. Series 2, episode 5. Michael Portillo embarks on the last leg of his railway journey around the north-west coast of England, visiting the childhood home of William Wordsworth in Cockermouth, Cumbria, and ending in Maryport, where the Solway Firth marks the border between England and Scotland.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.