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Liverpool to Dolgarrog

Michael Portillo takes a trip down memory lane in Maghull on the outskirts of Liverpool, where he discovers a childhood favourite made by Frank Hornby.

Michael Portillo's Edwardian railway guide takes him to the city of Liverpool, where King Edward VII had recently laid the foundation stone for a grand Anglican cathedral at the top of St James's Mount. The young winner of a competition to design the building was a Roman Catholic from a family of architects. His name was Giles Gilbert Scott. Michael takes a trip down his own memory lane in Maghull on the outskirts of Liverpool, where he discovers a childhood favourite - a miniature tank engine with three carriages in dark red - made by Frank Hornby.

Heading west to Wales, Michael skirts the coast to reach Abergele, where he visits the romantic ruined Gwrych Castle. He learns the story of its fervently Welsh countess, the last of the Lloyds of Gwyrch, and admires the dedication to her legacy of a young man devoted to restoring the estate. In Dolgarrog, in the mountains of Snowdonia, Michael rides the waves with a Welsh national surfing champion in a former aluminium smelting works founded in the early 20th century.

29 minutes

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Series Producer Alison Kreps
Director Joseph Cunningham
Production Company FremantleMedia

Broadcasts

Steam railway programmes on 91热爆 iPlayer

A collection of programmes from the 91热爆 archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.