Michael Portillo continues his scenic and historical rail journey through the Weald of southeast England, one of Britain’s oldest surviving landscapes, situated between the chalk hills of the North and South Downs. In this Monday’s episode of “Great British Railway Journeys,” Portillo explores the area’s rich past, from its iron-producing heritage to its unique botanical treasures, and its musical connections.
His journey begins in Paddock Wood and takes him to the 12th-century church of St Peter and St Paul in Wadhurst, where iron memorial slabs offer a glimpse into the Weald’s once-thriving iron industry. Portillo then visits Bedgebury Pinetum, home to the world’s largest collection of conifers – over 12,000 trees – including a species thought to have been extinct since the time of the dinosaurs.
Finally, near Frant, Portillo explores Finchcocks, a stunning example of Georgian architecture. Here, he enjoys a private concert performed on some of the house’s collection of exquisite pianos. “Great British Railway Journeys” airs Monday, April 7 at 6:30 PM on BBC Two.
