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Milford Haven to Fishguard

Michael Portillo reaches the most westerly station in Wales, Milford Haven, the biggest energy port in the United Kingdom. He then heads north, visiting Britain's smallest city and its cathedral.

On the final leg of his rail journey along Wales's southern coastline, Michael Portillo reaches the country's most westerly station. At Milford Haven, Michael learns from the harbour master about the biggest energy port in the United Kingdom, which has an oil refinery and storage terminals as well as natural gas terminals. Further along the estuary at Pembroke Dock, Michael visits a pioneering project to harness the power of the sea. Michael gets a sneak preview of the vast yellow dishes, which will act like a bellows to capture the energy of waves.

Travelling north towards Haverfordwest, Michael heads for St David’s Peninsula, where an ecological co-operative is turning to the sea for a new way of farming. In a treacherous stretch of water known as the Ramsey Sound, Michael joins two young farmers who are growing seaweed, mussels, scallops and oysters sustainably without freshwater, land, fertilisers or pesticides – truly zero input farming.

Michael’s next stop is Britain’s smallest city, St David’s. Michael joins the dean to tour its 12th-century cathedral and to hear about Wales’s patron saint.

The pastel-coloured houses and circular harbour of Fishguard is Michael’s last destination on his adventure. Although it's a quiet town today, Michael discovers that, during the 18th century, the town came under attack by French forces in the last recorded invasion on British soil. Michael experiences for himself how the French were sent packing by the ladies of the town in their national red coats and black hats, and admires a Bayeux-style tapestry which commemorates the event.

28 minutes

Last on

Fri 7 Jun 2024 14:15

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Director Dave Minchin
Series Editor Alison Kreps
Executive Producer John Comerford
Production Company Fremantle

Broadcasts

Steam railway programmes on ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer

A collection of programmes from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.