Great British Railway Journeys visits Ullswater and Penrith

The new series of Great British Railway Journeys, has seen presenter Michael Portillo visit Ullswater and Penrith.

Michael Portillo’s railway journey through Cumbria and Dumfriesshire saw him follow in the footsteps of the Lakeland poets.  In Keswick, he retraces the adventurous walks of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, discovering how one of his legendary routes has been used as a form of therapy.

Michael visited the striking ruins of Lowther Castle - once a grand gothic estate, now reborn as an extraordinary garden. With 18 million visitors a year, the Lake District National Park is challenged with balancing tourism and conservation. Michael joined a local litter-picking group who want to educate visitors. At Ullswater, he discovered the native Herdwick and Rough Fell sheep, whose wool is finding eco-friendly uses today, and tries his hand at herding the flock with dependable sheepdog Pick.

If you missed it, you can watch it on BBC iplayer.