The Swindon and Cricklade Railway is set to receive national exposure after appearing in an upcoming episode of a popular Channel 4 television series.
The heritage railway will feature in the latest series of Narrow Escapes, which follows the lives of people living, working and travelling on Britain’s waterways.
The programme returned for a third series this month and airs on weekdays at 4pm on Channel 4. The 20-part series explores life afloat across the UK, combining personal stories with journeys through some of the country’s most scenic waterways and historic locations.
The appearance offers a valuable opportunity to showcase one of Swindon’s best-known visitor attractions to a national audience.
Based between Blunsdon and Cricklade, the Swindon and Cricklade Railway is run largely by volunteers and preserves part of the area’s rich railway heritage, which played a key role in the town’s development during the age of the Great Western Railway.
The latest series of Narrow Escapes features a diverse cast of boaters, entrepreneurs and adventurers. Storylines include a floating ice cream parlour on the Thames, a first-time narrowboat owner embracing a new way of life, and a performance artist creating a travelling cabaret show on the waterways.
Returning contributors include military veteran Jay, whose canal lifestyle has helped support his recovery from complex PTSD, as well as boating couple Debs and Mick as they race to reach their wedding on time.
This year’s series also expands beyond England and Wales for the first time, with filming taking viewers to Scotland, including the famous Falkirk Wheel and journeys through the Highlands and along Loch Ness.
Alongside the human stories, the programme highlights engineering achievements and waterways heritage, making the inclusion of the Swindon and Cricklade Railway a fitting addition for viewers interested in Britain’s transport history.
The series is produced by Bowled Over Media in partnership with Motion Content Group.
Railway supporters will be hoping the appearance encourages more visitors to discover the attraction and learn about the volunteers who continue to preserve an important part of Wiltshire’s railway heritage.
