Portillo's Hidden History of Britain sees former UK politician Michael Portillo investigating abandoned buildings around Britain.
Royal London Hospital
Built in the East End of London 250 years ago and closed in 2013, the Royal London Hospital pioneered medical breakthroughs and healthcare for generations of people.
Orford Ness: Defence of the Realm
Michael Portillo unlocks the doors to four extraordinary abandoned locations. For almost a century, Orford Ness was owned by the MOD, a lens into a bygone era of secrets, spies and superpowers. When it closed in 1993, its buildings were still shrouded in secrecy.
Shepton Mallet
Michael Portillo unlocks the doors to four extraordinary abandoned locations. Since it opened 400 years ago, Shepton Mallet prison has seen thousands of prisoners, numerous executions and countless escape attempts. It has been home to gangsters, and during the Second World War a safe house for Britain's most precious historic documents such as the Magna Carta.
Imber Village - The Wages of War
In 1943, the village of Imber in Wiltshire's Salisbury Plain began to be used as a Second World War training ground. At risk from friendly fire, each household was ordered by the War Office to abandon its home for the duration of the conflict. Despite promises that the residents could return after the war, the village remains in the hands of the military, and has been since used for training against the IRA and the Taliban. Michael meets former residents and relatives to hear this story of upheaval, and talks to historians to reveal the history behind the desolation of this ancient village.
Michael Portillo
Self - Host
The Real Dad's Army
2006
Brits Who Made The Modern World
2008
Abroad Again in Britain
2005
Robbie Coltrane: B-Road Britain
2007
The Railway: Keeping Britain On Track
2013
Secret Britain
2010
Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty
2014
TOWN with Nicholas Crane
2011
Timeshift
2002
Canal Walks with Julia Bradbury
La Grande-Bretagne Sauvage
Empire with David Olusoga
2025
The 80s with Dominic Sandbrook
2016
Secrets of Great British Castles
2015
Trawlermen: Hunting the Catch
2022
Notorious London: A City Tour
2021
De Wit en de Brit
Oz & James Drink to Britain
2009
Jet! When Britain Ruled the Skies
2012
Harold Shipman