Crossing the River Tamar via Isambard Kingdom Brunel's magnificent Royal Albert Bridge, Michael leaves Devon for Cornwall and the rugged Atlantic coast of its northern shore. The ruins of Tintagel Castle emerge from the mist and spray of the sea, and the legend of King Arthur is all about.

At the 18th-century landscaped park of Boconnoc, Michael meets an artist who captures Cornwall's natural wonders in paint and strives to protect them from environmental damage. Fortified by a crab sandwich in Newquay, Michael heads to St Agnes, where, on a headland above the village, he joins the Aggie Boys Choir to hear rousing sea shanties.

Michael's next destination, St Austell, leads him to the sandy coves and bays of the southern coast of the county and the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Michael Portillo nears the end of his railway adventure tracking the rugged coast of south west England. He finishes in the westernmost reaches of England, in the Scillonian archipelago. From Penzance railway station, he makes his way to the town's heliport to board a helicopter to the island of Tresco, two-and-a-half miles long and with a population of 150.

Crossing the channel to Hugh Town on St Mary's, the largest and most populated of the Isles of Scilly, Michael meets a former councillor to learn what makes life on the islands unique. Venturing to the north of the island with an archaeologist to guide him, he discovers the rich prehistory of the islands.

Back on Tresco, Michael finds preparations underway for an important weekly event of the summer months: gig racing.