Great British Railway Journeys: West Ruislip to Windsor (BBC Four Thursday 26 October 2023)

Great British Railway Journeys: West Ruislip to Windsor airs Thursday 26 October 2023 on BBC Four.

What is this episode about

Michael Portillo travels to leafy Hatch End in search of an illustrator whose work was so well-known in the Roaring Twenties and Depression-era 1930s that his name was included in the dictionary. Michael is guided through some of William Heath Robinson’s wacky inventions, explained by the artist’s great-nephew.

Michael is on his way to Slough, where three entrepreneurs created a groundbreaking trading estate outside of a major city, complete with railway access, electricity, water and space to do business. There are now 350 companies headquartered there, and its model has been copied all over the world with great success. Michael visits with one steadfast client, Mars, whose chocolate bar production has been based in Slough since 1932.

Michael also travels to nearby Stoke Poges to see another landmark from the 1930s, this time a memorial garden with beautiful woodlands, rockeries, and fountains. Michael is enlisted for assistance in planting a yew tree by the Head Gardener.

Michael travels from Slough to Windsor and Eton Central along a short branch line. Michael stands atop Windsor’s massive walls and looks out over the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle, home to the British monarch. In 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry an American divorcee, and he reflects on the tumultuous events that took place there.

Series 12 Episode 3 of 15

When can we see the episode

Great British Railway Journeys: West Ruislip to Windsor airs Thursday 26 October 2023 at 7:00pm on BBC Four

Featured Image Credit: BBC Four