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Brandon to Cambridge

Michael Portillo completes his railway journey through the east of England during the post-war period, heading from RAF Lakenheath to the city of Cambridge.

Michael Portillo completes his railway journey through the east of England during the post-war period. At RAF Lakenheath, he discovers a slice of America dropped into the British countryside, watching the US Air Force's Strike Eagles as they climb 10,000 feet per minute in an almost vertical trajectory.

In the market town of Brandon, Michael visits Quorn Foods to find how a seemingly modern meat substitute emerged out of a post-war food crisis. Meanwhile, at Wild Ken Hill, Michael meets a visionary farmer committed to regenerating his land.

Michael ends his journey in Cambridge to learn about how, just after World War II, James Watson and Francis Crick made the most important discovery in biology since Darwin.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Director Cassie Farrell
Series Editor Alison Kreps
Executive Producer John Comerford
Production Company Fremantle

Broadcasts

Steam railway programmes on ±«Óãtv iPlayer

A collection of programmes from the ±«Óãtv archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.