Reading to Taplow
Messing about in boats is the name of the game in Henley-on-Thames, where Michael Portillo slips into a launch to hear about the world-famous regatta.
Armed with his Edwardian Bradshaw鈥檚 Guide, Michael Portillo picks up his rail journey from Warwick to Rye along the River Thames. In Reading, he traces the origins of education for workers. Messing about in boats is the name of the game in Henley-on-Thames, where Michael slips into a launch to hear about the world-famous regatta. Afternoon tea on the bank offers a chance to hear about four heroes of early 20th-century literary classic The Wind in the Willows.
In the pretty village of Cookham, Michael encounters heaven on earth for the artist Stanley Spencer, and across the river at Cliveden he explores the great Italianate mansion, which once belonged to the Astor family. Michael finds out about one of its most famous members, the first woman to take a seat in Parliament, Nancy Astor.
Last on
Clip
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The landscape that inspired The Wind in the Willows
Duration: 03:24
Music Played
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Samuel Barber
Adagio For Strings Op. 11
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Michael Portillo |
Series Editor | Alison Kreps |
Director | Cassie Farrell |
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.