Using a nineteenth century Bradshaw's 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: Ayr to Edinburgh, Amersham to London Bridge, Derby to Lindisfarne, Pembroke Dock to Cambridge . Michael traverses Britain's railway network using Bradshaw's 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.