Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo

Michael explores the South West Coast Path, following the western shore of Cornwall's biggest natural harbour, Mount's Bay - a sweeping, horseshoe-shaped shoreline that includes some of Cornwall's most historic fishing ports. His trek begins at Cribba Head, just outside the tiny fishing community of Penberth Cove, before visiting the historic fishing harbour of Mousehole.

Michael heads for his final stretch in Cornwall, and takes in a coastline of hidden coves, a stunning sub-tropical garden and smugglers' creeks, immortalised by Daphne du Maurier in her novel Frenchman's Creek. Beginning at the working fishing village of Coverack, he detours inland to visit a family-run dairy farm that produces clotted cream and more than 40 flavours of ice cream from milk produced by their Jersey cows.

Michael begins this leg of his journey at South Devon's most southerly point, Start Point, and embarks on a walk which takes in a broad sweep of eroding shingle coastline and some of the most picturesque beaches he has encountered. Along the way, he discovers historic fishing villages, and the largest freshwater lake in South West England. His South Devon trek ends near the mouth of the River Dart, but not before he leaves his own mark on this beautiful stretch of coast, a new wooden signpost for walks inscribed with his initials.

This final part of Michael's adventure begins on Hope's Nose, a unique headland outside Torquay on the English Rivera, where Michael embraces as many experiences as he can along a coastline formed 280 million years ago, where limestone cliffs give way to eroding sandstone slopes. From exploring prehistoric caves by paddle board to digging for red clay on the Teign estuary, and racing a historic Cornish rowing boat, Michael is determined to capture as many coastal memories as he can, before returning to his urban life in London.