Great British Railway Journeys

Michael's exploration of Essex is drawing to a close. He visits Colchester, which was first mentioned in AD 77 and proudly claims to be Britain’s oldest recorded town. He learns about the rebellion in AD 60 by the warrior queen Boudica against the Romans and visits the Norman castle that was built on top of the foundations of the Temple of Claudius. At the University of Essex’s plant innovation centre, Michael meets scientists growing climate-resistant plants in a state-of-the-art laboratory, where the weather can be changed at will. Across the Chappel viaduct, one the largest in the country, Michael reaches north Essex. He is bound for the Colne Valley heritage railway and learns the history of the line which ran from Chappel and Wakes Colne to Haverhill in Suffolk. He finishes his tour of Essex by driving an old Intercity 125 high-speed train through the picturesque countryside.