Great British Railway Journeys

S05E08 Northampton to Nuneaton

Guided by his Bradshaw's, Michael Portillo embarks on a northern adventure from London to Leeds, making a stop in Northampton, renowned for its shoemaking tradition, where skilled Victorian 'clickers' have been crafting footwear for over 130 years. In Rugby, he learns about the influence of Dr. Thomas Arnold and even trains with the school's 1st XV rugby team. Continuing to Coventry, Michael explores how the city's artisans adapted to changing times. He concludes this segment of his journey in Nuneaton, the hometown of a once-mysterious author whose identity was closely safeguarded.