Portillo's Hidden History of Britain

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.

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.

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 was evacuated in 1943 to be used as a WWII training ground. Despite promises that the residents could return after the war, the village remains in the hands of the military today, and has been used for training against the IRA and the Taliban.

Michael Portillo unlocks the doors to more extraordinary abandoned locations. A medical revolution was born at Cambridge that changed the face of Britain - literally.

Michael Portillo explores abandoned locations. The officers of the London Road Fire Station stood guard over the people of Manchester for 80 years through war, civil unrest and serial killers.

A top secret Cold War stronghold and a decommissioned Soviet nuclear submarine reveal just how close we came to nuclear armageddon, and the British military's plans if it should come.

The New Victoria in Bradford was Britain's first cinema, with a 3,000-seat theatre, a decadent ballroom and state-of-the-art technology. It closed in 2000, but a new generation has reinvented the building.

Michael Portillo explores the popular destination of Brighton, where he goes in search of the hidden history of the British seaside resort. The ghostly skeleton of Brighton's West pier has become one of the UK's most well-known ruins, and is all that remains of one of the most iconic seaside attractions in British history.