Great British Railway Journeys (2010)

S13E5 Herne Bay to Leeds Castle, Kent

Armed with his vintage Bradshaw’s Guide to the Railways from the interwar period, Michael arrives at the charming coastal town of Herne Bay. Here, he discovers the story of a trailblazing aviatrix who began her career as a typist in Hull, ultimately becoming a world-renowned figure through her remarkable accomplishments. Michael boards a train heading five miles west along the coast, then ventures offshore into the Thames Estuary. He is captivated by the sight of seven striking steel sea forts, towering 90 feet above the seabed—testaments to the engineering genius that safeguarded the nation during WWII. In Whitstable, Michael indulges in the local delicacy of oysters before traversing the North Downs to Lenham. His journey culminates at Leeds Castle, renowned as the 'loveliest castle in the world' and historically linked to the visionary Lady Olive Bailey during the interwar years.