Hackney Wick to Oxford Circus
Michael continues his travels through the capital in the heart of London’s East End. He begings in Hackney Wick, which today is transformed from the time of his 1930s Bradshaw’s guide.
Michael continues his travels through the capital in the heart of London’s East End. Michael explores Hackney Wick, today transformed from the time of his 1930s Bradshaw’s guide, when factories belched smoke and the Communist Party of Great Britain launched The Daily Worker. Michael hears about the newspaper’s origins and aims from the editor of its modern incarnation, The Morning Star.
A bout in the ring at Repton Boxing Club has Michael floating like a butterfly - if not stinging like a bee - as he discovers one of Britain’s greatest fighters, Ted 'Kid' Lewis. Michael is captivated by the story of the Jewish refugee from the Russian pogroms, who twice became welterweight champion of the world.
A night at one of the earliest railway hotels, the Great Northern, sets the scene for Michael to explore the railway revolution of the interwar years, when around 150 companies were rationalised into the 'big four', heralding a golden age of glamour, speed and style.
In the West End, Michael hunts down London’s oldest surviving Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy, to hear how it was established after its owner found success at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. Under the watchful eye of the restaurant’s master chef, Michael learns how to make chapatis.
Last on
More episodes
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Michael Portillo |
Director | Tom Richardson |
Series Editor | Alison Kreps |
Executive Producer | John Comerford |
Production Company | Fremantle |
Broadcasts
- Tue 25 May 2021 18:30
- Tue 3 Aug 2021 02:00
- Thu 26 May 2022 19:00
- Fri 27 May 2022 01:05
- Thu 23 May 2024 19:00
- Fri 24 May 2024 00:35
Steam railway programmes on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer
A collection of programmes from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.