Using a nineteenth century Bradshaws Handbook for travelling through Victorian Britain, Michael Portillo sets off on four new railway journeys which will take him across Britain. Each journey is played over five episodes: Carlisle to Alton, Staffs; Dover to Lands End; Birmingham to Dartmoor and Ashford, Kent to Henley-on-Thames. Michael traverses Britains railway network using Bradshaws Descriptive Railway Guide following its recommendations for places to visit and things to do while investigating the characters, Industries, locations and hotels suggested in his handbook that take his interest. Along the way he will meet an interesting selection of the British public and gain a fascinating insight into the history of Victorian Britain. The series is also snapshot of the country today its people, stories, scenery, architecture, customs, history and how life and landscape have changed over the last 150 years, since Bradshaw became a household name.