The Big Steam Adventure Season 2 Premiere, 3 May 2024, Channel 5

The Big Steam Adventure returns for its second series, heading out on a journey through some of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes. In this first episode, John Sergeant, Peter Davison, and Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton explore the Lake District, one of the UK’s most stunning regions.

Airing on Channel 5 on Friday, 3 May, the episode begins with the trio helping to fire up a narrow-gauge steam train at Ravenglass, hoping to reach the base of England’s tallest mountain, Scarfell Peak. While Piglet stokes the fires, John and Peter relax at the back, taking in the views and enjoying afternoon tea.

The real challenge comes when they switch to a bumpy miniature Foden steam van with no seats. This bone-shattering mode of transport shakes them through miles of rough terrain, testing their endurance. As they reach their destination, the Swinside Stone Circle, the relief of disembarking outweighs the ancient monument’s allure.

The following day, they visit steam engineer Alex Sharphouse, who has built a gigantic traction engine named Talisman. Travelling on this impressive machine through the lakes feels like stepping back in time to the 1920s. To complete their Lake District adventure, they board the Shamrock, a rare 1906 steam launch, for a cup of tea on Lake Windermere.

The Big Steam Adventure airs on Channel 5 at 8:00 PM on Friday, 3 May 2024.