Chelmsford to Tollesbury

Michael Portillo’s exploration of Essex reaches Chelmsford. At a huge construction site on the outskirts of the city he discovers Beaulieu Park, the first railway station to be built on the Great Eastern Main Line for over 100 years. Michael learns how the station is designed to alleviate congestion in Chelmsford city centre.

At Chelmsford Cathedral, the headquarters of the diocese of Chelmsford, Michael meets the bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani. He discovers one of the largest and most diverse dioceses in England and hears Bishop Guli’s extraordinary personal story of escape from Iran after the Islamic revolution of 1979.

Michael continues his rail journey on the Great Eastern Main Line and visits the historic riverside town of Maldon, with its pretty Thames barges. Michael learns about a medieval battle and handles a rare Viking sword.

He finishes this leg of his Essex journey in the coastal village of Tollesbury, with its strong maritime heritage and marshy landscape, a haven for birds and wildlife.