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Daniel Hall

Northumberland to star in new series of Great Coastal Railways Journeys with Michael Portillo

The North East is set to return to the small screen again, with a new series centred on the region's trains.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys sees presenter Michael Portillo make railway trips in the North East, mostly focused on Northumberland, using the Tyne and Wear Metro, the East Coast Mainline, and the Tyne Valley Line - among others.

Across the week, starting Monday, February 7, Michael's route allows him to discover the River Tyne, Hadrian's Wall and villages all along the Northumberland coast.

Go here for more Northumberland news and updates from Northumberland Live

Episode One - Tynemouth to Bardon Mill

Michael Portillo at the seal hospital in Tynemouth (BBC/Naked/Fremantle)

Michael kicks off the week travelling from Tynemouth to Bardon Mill. In Tynemouth, he discovers one of Britain's most treacherous coastlines and hears of a 19th century tragedy that inspired the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade to set up. He also helps volunteers to care for sick and injured seals at the Tynemouth Aquarium Seal Hospital.

Returning to Newcastle Central Station, Michael then boards the Passage to India train service, a curry express which takes him along the Tyne Valley line to the station house at Corbridge - where there's now an Indian restaurant.

He ends his trip by heading out to Bardon Mill and exploring Hadrian's Wall, which is celebrating its 1900th anniversary this year.

Episode Two - Newcastle to Lynemouth

Michael Portillo with a signal box (BBC/Naked/Fremantle)

Michael starts off in Newcastle, discovering one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, Ouseburn, to learn about the city's early industrial developments before heading north.

His first stop is in Cramlington where he discovers the Lady of the North, Northumberlandia. Then, Michael visits the Port of Blyth, where he learns about a captain who discovered the Antarctic and meets a group of young people who are restoring a Scottish Herring drifter with the Blyth Tall Ships Charity.

A lost railway which was closed in 1964 is explored at Bedlington, before Michael ends his journey at Lynemouth Power Station which has switched its fuel from coal to biomass to produce electricity.

Episode Three - Morpeth to Amble

Michael Portillo with a fish dish in Amble (BBC/Naked/Fremantle)

Michael's third journey starts in Morpeth, where he finds a historic collection of bagpipes at the Chantry Bagpipe Museum and discovers how difficult they are to play. He leaves Morpeth on the East Coast mainline to get to Widdrington, where he goes beachcombing with a blacksmith who makes artworks out of steel.

The former politician also visits Cragside in Rothbury before returning to the coast and the port of Amble.

Episode Four - Alnmouth to Bamburgh

Michael Portillo at the Aln Valley Heritage Railway (BBC/Naked/Fremantle)

Episode four focuses on the magnificent stretch of Northumberland peppered with beaches and castles. Starting off in Alnmouth, Michael takes to the waves in a traditional skiff built by members of the Alnmouth Coastal Rowing Club who are training for the World Championships.

Back on land, he takes the Aln Valley heritage railway towards Alnwick, crossing a 170-year-old viaduct built by Robert Stephenson. Then, it's onto the port of Seahouses and the Ship Inn, before ending the fourth episode at the seat of the Northumbrian Kings, Bamburgh Castle.

Episode Five - Farne Islands to Berwick-upon-Tweed

Michael Portillo at Berwick Bridge (BBC/Naked/Fremantle)

The final Northumberland episode of Great Coastal Railway Journeys sees Michael travel to England's northernmost town, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

But first, there's a visit to the Farne Islands where Michael helps rangers to clear a toxic invasive plant. Returning to the mainland, he then takes the causeway out to Holy Island where he discovers a full-sized reproduction of the Lindisfarne Gospels with the island's vicar.

The final stretch sees Michael cross the Royal Border Bridge over the River Tweed and end his journey in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys starts on at 6:30pm on BBC Two, with episodes in the North East airing from Monday February 7 until Friday February 11.

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