great british journeys

Great British Railway Journeys season 15: release date, destinations, exclusive interview and everything we know

Great British Railway Journeys season 15 on BBC2 sees politician-turned-presenter Michael Portillo explore Britain’s post-war history by train.

Great British Railway Journeys season 15 on BBC2 sees dapper dresser Michael Portillo taking a train ride through Britain’s fascinating post-war history. That means exploring the Britain of his youth, criss-crossing the country by rail and taking a nostalgic look back at everything from the birth of space exploration, to the invention of the lava lamp, and all the highs and lows of British Rail through the post-war decades!

"I’m afraid train travel has got so much worse recently, and I’m astonished by the reduction in the number of services and the increase in journey times," says former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo. 

"Having said that, when I was a child railway carriages used to be pretty grubby, and the British Rail sandwich was famously grim – always stale and curly at the edges!"

So here’s everything you need to know about the 15th outing of Great British Railway Journeys on BBC2…

Great British Railway Journeys season 15 release date

Great British Railway Journeys is a 15-part historical travelogue that will start on BBC2 from Monday March 18 2024 at 6.30pm, running daily from Monday to Friday across the week for three weeks. 

Episodes will also become available on BBCiPlayer . 

Is there a trailer for Great British Railway Journeys?

Not yet, but we’ll update here as soon as one lands, so watch this space – and look out for Michael wearing some particularly colourful jackets and trousers!

What happens and destinations in series 15 of Great British Railway Journeys?

The first five episodes take in the Southern Counties, from London Marylebone to Heathrow, via Swindon, Chippenham, Yeovil, Swanage, Portchester, Havant and Guilford. Along the way, Michael discovers the birthplace of the plastic recorder, learns about the origins of Oxfam and discovers the secrets of the hovercraft.

His second five-episode journey takes place in Scotland, from Loch Lomond to Dundee, taking in the West Highland Line, Glasgow’s Hampden Park and the Forth Road Bridge, which was constructed during the 50s and 60s. Meanwhile, Michael also rocks out with the Bay City Rollers and learns how chicken tikka masala was created for the Glaswegian palate by a chef from Lahore.

Finally, Michael travels from Merseyside to Teesside, with a five-episode leg that sees him discover the excitement of post-war space exploration at Jodrell Bank, ride a vintage Raleigh Chopper and check out the headquarters of Yorkshire Tea, before finishing his journey in a recreated 1950s street at the Beamish open air museum.

Exclusive interview: Michael Portillo talks us through Great British Railway Journeys

What can you tell us about Great British Railway Journeys season 15? Michael Portillo told us: "Well, it’s about exploring post-war Britain and the Britain of my youth, and it involves some fascinating adventures, including possibly the most dramatic and ambitious scene we’ve ever shot! In episode two I go up in a 1954 Harvard aircraft at Yeovilton air base with two other vintage planes flying either side – and I swear the wings were virtually touching. It was extraordinarily skillful flying but pretty alarming, too!"

Was there anything you particularly enjoyed reminiscing about? Michael says: "We went to Haslemere, Surrey, the birthplace of the plastic recorder. I had a wooden one, but it brought back memories of making dreadful noises on a recorder as a child! We also went to Beamish, the open air museum, and I’m a sucker for old buses and cars. But one has to be wary of nostalgia because the immediate post-war period was actually characterised by a lot of poverty and inequality. Even I remember what it was like to live in a house that didn't have central heating – it was freezing! 

What was it like rocking out with Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood from the Bay City Rollers? Michael says: "I think there will be danger of heart attacks across Britain when that episode goes out. You may remember their emblem was a tartan yellow scarf, well I did a lot of scarf waving because I got so carried away by the music! I was rather a stuck up kid in many of ways and I didn’t get into much of the youth rebellion stuff. I used to wear my shirts buttoned up to the top button, so I was literally ‘buttoned up.’ You have to understand that I was quite repressed. So I’m just delighted that these experiences somehow come around!"

Do you have a personal highlight from the series? Michael says: "It was very fascinating for me to speak to Mick McGahey Jr, whose father was the leader of the Scottish miners’ union at the time of the miners’ strike 40 years ago. Of course, I was a Conservative politician in those days, so I think each of us was so completely astonished to be in each other's company. I hope that makes good television."

Were there any filming challenges? Michael says: "I'd love to answer your question in the spirit that it’s made, but we always have extraordinary luck. We call it Portillo’s luck. For some reason when we're filming it always rains at night, but not during the day. And our trains are never canceled, which they are when I’m not filming!"

Do you have fond memories of train travel growing up? Michael says: "Yes, because I’m so old my earliest train travel was by steam train. We used to take our holidays on the Isle of Wight and there was a steam train that ran from Ryde down to Ventnor and it made the most extraordinary panting sound, and if I ever heard it again I’d be taken straight back to my childhood. But although people get very nostalgic about steam trains, they were very dirty and you’d always arrive at your destination covered in smuts!"

As a politician, you dressed quite somberly. So what changed? Michael says: "There's been this marvelous psychological flowering, which has occurred since I left my political career. The colorful inner man has burst forth spectacularly! Now my criteria for my outfits is simply to see whether there are any more colours on the spectrum I can get hold of. One of the things I enjoy while filming is watching the crew’s looks of horror at the combinations I put together. We’ve even got to the stage where some of our directors will actually request certain jackets and trousers. They’ll say things like, we’re filming in a brownish landscape, so your green and red outfit would be fantastic!"

Apart from your colorful clothes, do you have any packing must-haves? Michael says: "Yes, a very new and very eccentric packing must-have is that I now take an apron with me. The reason is I found myself taking a break from filming for lunch and then all afternoon I’d have spaghetti over my shirt. I thought, this won’t do. So I now sit down to lunch with an apron on in order to have a pristine shirt for the afternoon!"

Finally, what do fans like to talk to you about when they recognize you? Michael reveals: "Well, in the modern world nothing happens unless it’s recorded on a smartphone, so most people just want a selfie! The other day I was on a train and one of the train crew produced an autograph book, and I was astonished. I hadn't seen one of those for a while! Other than that, some people get very confused and think that I’m a railway expert when, in fact, the train is literally a vehicle to get me from one lovely history story to another!"

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National Rail premieres its new ‘Great British Journeys’ YouTube series

The new series uses high definition footage to create a unique driver's eye view of the nation's most picturesque railway routes. The making of the series has seen the most comprehensive and high-quality shoot carried out on Britain's railways to create a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing experience for viewers.

‘Great British Journeys' is free for anyone to access and aims to offer a similar approach to relaxing with videos such as Netflix's ‘Fireplace' videos. The series also hopes to encourage people to get back on the tracks and explore the country by train.

The series captures the best of British countryside from magnificent mountain ranges of the Highlands to the rolling fields of Norfolk .

National Rail has carried out research which revealed that train travel can be a great way to relax. The survey showed that approximately 55% of people enjoy the scenery through a train window and 24% said that the motion of travelling by train brought about a sense of calm. The new series also includes relaxing music to support the scenery and also to aid viewers in relaxing.

National Rail will be releasing new videos each week over the next 6 weeks and also will be streaming nine hours of looped footage to allow viewers to join the ‘live' channel any time of day and enjoy the stunning views that Scotland , Wales , Devon and East Anglia have to offer.

The series also hopes to inspire people to choose a staycation rather than travelling abroad for their holidays by showcasing the remarkable locations featured as leisure travel by train has now returned to 95% of pre-pandemic levels and is a key part in supporting the country's recovery following the pandemic.

You can find out more over on the Youtube channel here:- National Rail – YouTube

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

“We want these rarely seen views of stunning Great British journeys, shot direct from the driver's cab, to inspire people to get back on track and enjoy the best of Britain. Rail delivers more than a journey – as well as helping you relax and unwind, it connects you to the people and places you love, and is one of the greenest ways to explore the most beautiful sights that Britain has to offer.”

The rail industry is undertaking its largest marketing campaign in a generation, ‘Let's Get Back on Track', in a bid to encourage more people to book a train journey, getting people back on track and connecting with the people and places they love. Getting people travelling by train is also great for the economy with leisure passengers travelling by rail spending an average of £107 per trip which in turn supports local jobs and businesses.

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Been watching it for several days. Very interesting.

Sound like a great idea looking forward to traveling nationwide very soon. Martin in Norfolk.

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Great British Journeys

Great british journeys by adeo travel.

Explore all corners of England, Scotland and Wales on a selection of boutique small groups tours, carefully curated by adeo Travel.

Enjoy an escorted tour with a personal touch, as you travel Britain in the comfort of a luxury mini-coach and in the company of a maximum group-size of just 14 travellers.

Our tours provide the opportunity to discover England , Scotland and Wales without the hassle of mastering our roads or public transport systems, travelling instead in the comfort of a luxury mini-coach with an experienced driver who knows the best routes to guide you. But, unlike on a traditional coach tour, you’ll journey in the company of a maximum of just 14 other travel companions so that you can still enjoy an intimate and authentic travel experience.

On an adeo Travel small group tour, you’re assured a well-balanced and insightful itinerary; not only will we invite you to see our iconic sites but also to gain an authentic experience of our culture. Our lovingly put-together itineraries will take you to many cultural highlights but will also go beyond the traditional tourist honey-traps to the heart of the history, heritage and landscapes of Britain. Along the way you’ll enjoy unique travel experiences, sample traditional cuisines and meet the local people. Not to mention enjoy plenty of free-time to explore at your leisure!

The beauty of the adeo Travel touring concept is that we’ll ensure you enjoy the many benefits of travelling in a mall-group whilst not losing the satisfaction of independent travel; you’ll tour by luxury mini-coach which can easily traverse our country roads to visit lesser-known destinations away from the beaten tourist track. You’ll have the opportunity to get to know both your driver and your fellow travel companions during your travel and over inclusive dinners. And you’ll stay in smaller, traditional and more characterful accommodations.

Please browse our online mini-brochure or our dedicated web-pages below to discover more about our concept and see our range of itineraries – you’ll notice our shorter regional tours combine perfectly to offer longer travel experiences across our nations. And when you know the tour for you, you can contact one of our friendly, British travel consultants by phone or email to learn more, receive a quote or book your trip.

Key Features

• Maximum group size of 16
• Travel by luxury mini coach
• Characterful overnight lodging
• Go beyond the tourist trail
• Authentic sightseeing experiences
• Combine multiple tours to discover more

Treasures of Wales and Scotland 2024

Small group tour, 17 days / 16 nights, £ 5300.

A small group tour of Scotland and Wales – explore the outer reaches of Britain from the glorious landscapes of the Pembrokeshire coast to the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. Two of Britain’s lesser explored regions, Wales and Scotland offer a perfect marriage boasting strikingly unique cultures but sharing a common appeal in their undiscovered natural beauty. Your journey will take you from the nations’ capital cities in Cardiff and Edinburgh to the mountains of Snowdonia and the remote seascapes of the Isle of Skye. Along the way you’ll ride steam trains, wander the flagstones of ancient castles and sample local fare.

A Celtic Journey – Wales and Cornwall 2024

14 days / 13 nights, £ 4730.

A small group tour of Wales and England’s West Country – A perfect combination of Celtic cultures discover the beauty of England’s West Country and the beguiling landscapes of Wales. Your journey will take you over the barren moors and along the rugged coastlines of Devon and Cornwall before passing in to the undiscovered nation of Wales, home to towering mountains and ancient castles. This journey is a combination of our Treasures of Cornwall and Enchanting Wales tours.

England Coast and Country 2024

15 days / 14 nights, £ 4990.

A Small Group Tour of England – Discover the rich history and rustic landscapes of England on this diverse journey from the far South West to England’s Northern territories. England’s Coastline and Countryside takes you from the golden bays and craggy cliffs of Cornwall through the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds to the rugged landscapes of Yorkshire and the Lake District. Along the way we’ll visit the elegant cities of Bath, Oxford and York and enjoy a host of local visits and experiences to truly immerse ourselves in England’s unique charm and heritage.

The Great British Journey 2024

24 days / 23 nights, £ 8450.

A small group tour of Britain – discover what makes Britain Great on this small group journey through the diverse cultures and landscapes of England, Scotland and Wales. This comprehensive itinerary takes you from the peaceful coasts and mountains of Wales, through rustic landscapes of rural England and north in to remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. We’ll see iconic landmarks and hidden gems, visit Britain’s quaint villages and heritage cities and enjoy a host of local experiences from steam train rides through the English countryside to whisky tasting in the Highlands.  In the company of your local guides, the Great British Journey is the ultimate way to explore Britain.

Essence of England and Wales 2024

16 days / 15 nights, £ 4950.

A small group tour of England and Wales – Enjoy an epic journey of discovery through the varied histories and landscapes of England and Wales. We’ll see many of Britain’s most beautiful natural landscapes from the golden coasts of Pembrokeshire and the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales to the rustic hills and vales of Yorkshire and the Lake District in England. Along the way we’ll sample traditional fare and enjoy a host of local visits including archetypal medieval fortresses, stately English manors, ancient cathedrals and historic steam train journeys; the ideal tour to discover the very essence of Britain.

Beauty of Britain 2024

£ 5950.

A small group tour of England and Scotland – Beauty of Britain is an epic journey exploring the history, heritage and natural landscapes of England and Scotland. We’ll pass from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, through the rustic landscapes of Yorkshire and the Lake District to the barren wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. Our journey is punctuated with visits to Britain’s heritage cities, including Oxford, York and Edinburgh, and we’ll enjoy a host of local experiences including a countryside steam train ride, ancient castle visits, traditional afternoon tea and a whisky distillery tour. The true beauty of Britain is waiting to be discovered.

South Coast to Skye – England and Scotland 2024

23 days / 22 nights, £ 8380.

A Small Group Tour of England and Scotland – From the southernmost tip of the Cornish Peninsular to the remote wilderness of the Isle of Skye, enjoy an epic small-group journey through the diverse cultures and landscapes of England and Scotland. Discover the quaint fishing towns of Cornwall, the rolling hills and honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, the ruggedly beautiful landscapes of the English Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, and finally the barren moorlands of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way we’ll visit the heritage cities of Bath, Oxford, York, Chester, Inverness and Edinburgh, and experience regional food, drink and hospitality. South Coast to Skye is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture and panoramas of England and Scotland.

England’s Rustic Charm 2024

9 days / 8 nights, £ 2650.

A small group tour of England – England’s Rustic Charm is a leisurely tour exploring the highlights of central and Northern England. Departing the medieval university city of Oxford, you’ll enjoy a journey through the rolling hills and honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds to the ruggedly beautiful landscapes of the English Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Along the way we’ll experience the dreaming spires of Oxford, the Tudor streets of Chester and spend two nights in the charming city of York. A leisurely journey that will leave you charmed by England’s unique heritage and rustic landscapes.

Enchanting Wales 2024

8 days / 7 nights, £ 2150.

A small group tour of Wales – Discover beguiling natural landscapes and an utterly unique heritage on this journey through the enchanting nation of Wales. Following a stay in the cosmopolitan capital of Cardiff, we’ll explore the dramatic coastlines of Pembrokeshire, the towering mountains of the Snowdonia National Park and the rugged uplands of the Brecon Beacons. Along the way we’ll encounter medieval market towns, secluded villages and colossal castles. Wales is an undiscovered gem that will leave you enchanted by its natural beauty and ancient Celtic heritage.

Secrets of Scotland 2024

£ 2850.

A small group tour of Scotland – Secrets of Scotland takes you on an epic journey through Scotland’s dramatic landscapes. We’ll discover the history, heritage and natural beauty of this enchanting nation as we pass from historic Edinburgh in to the remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands; along the way we’ll spot unique wildlife, ancient castle ruins, shimmering lochs and deep glens. With highlights including Royal Deeside, Inverness, Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye and Glencoe you’ll come away having uncovered the many secrets of Scotland.

Treasures of the West Country 2024

7 days / 6 nights, £ 2250.

A small group tour of England’s West Country – Treasures of The West Country takes you on a leisurely journey through the charming counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, a region of unique Celtic heritage and beguiling natural landscapes. Arriving in Devon by rail, we’ll explore the barren uplands of Dartmoor and the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall before returning to the elegant Georgian city of Bath. Along the way we’ll sample local specialities, unearth Arthurian Legends, discover cliff-top castles, hear smugglers tales and explore rambling fishing villages! The South West of England’s many treasures are just waiting to be discovered.

Aspects of Britain 2024

A small group tour of Britain – Aspects of Britain offers a leisurely tour through England, Scotland and Wales for an engaging insight in to British culture and countryside. Your journey will take you through the rural regions of the South Wales valleys, the Cotswolds, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Scottish Lowlands to the heritage cities of Cardiff, York and Glasgow. Along the way we’ll visit medieval castles, roam Shakespeare country, wonder at stately homes, discover ancient abbey ruins and see shimmering Scottish lochs. The highlights of Britain are waiting to be explored.

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Season 1 – Great British Railway Journeys

Cast & crew.

Michael Portillo

Tim Brocklehurst

Elliott Gerner

Tom Richardson

Charles L. Bunce

Executive Producer

Great British Railway Journeys — Season 1

Season info.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Episode list

Great british railway journeys.

S5.E1 ∙ Manchester to Birkenhead

S5.e2 ∙ southport to leyland, s5.e3 ∙ preston to rochdale, s5.e4 ∙ haworth to huddersfield, s5.e5 ∙ honley to chesterfield, s5.e6 ∙ london euston to cheddington, s5.e7 ∙ bletchley to newport pagnell, s5.e8 ∙ northampton to nuneaton, s5.e9 ∙ leicester to loughborough, s5.e10 ∙ nottingham to leeds, s5.e11 ∙ southampton to basingstoke, s5.e12 ∙ winchfield to crowthorne, s5.e13 ∙ wokingham to bradford-on-avon, s5.e14 ∙ chippenham to gloucester, s5.e15 ∙ cheltenham to wolverhampton, s5.e16 ∙ norwich to brandon, s5.e17 ∙ ipswich to chelmsford, s5.e18 ∙ llford to rochester, s5.e19 ∙ faversham to dorking, s5.e20 ∙ brighton to chichester, contribute to this page.

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Great Britain

Destination guide: great britain a world class destination comprising the three distinct nations of england, scotland and wales.

Great Britain is formed of three magnificent countries – England, Scotland and Wales. Each of these nations retain distinct and unique histories, cultures and natural landscapes. But they nestle together on a single island and in combination they form one of the most recognisable and most visited destinations on the planet. Britain’s appeal as a destination is as varied as the nations of which it is comprised but is largely owing to its rich history, its unique people and its beautiful natural landscapes.

Whilst our British weather is renowned as wet and mild, it provides our island nation with much of our understated but highly-treasured natural landscapes. As expected of an island nation, Britain is home to hundreds of miles of stunning coastal seascapes from the cliffs of the Cornish Peninsula to the remote and untouched bays of the Scottish Islands. Inland however we have everything from the natural woodlands and mellow rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the dramatic mountains of North Wales and the glorious lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands. Not to mention the wild moorlands and dales of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales regions. With no fewer than fifteen National Parks of protected natural beauty there is a new spectacular panorama over every horizon.

These natural landscapes are punctuated however by hallmarks from the long and tumultuous history of the British isles. England, Scotland and Wales have borne witness to ancient peoples, savage invasions, bloody battles, barbarous monarchies, tranquil peace-times and revolutionary change. Together these events have shaped our rich cultural heritage, a heritage which manifests itself in our striking architecture which can be found to this day in every corner of Britain from charming villages of thatch cottages and timberwork inns to towering cathedral spires, magnificent medieval fortresses, opulent stately homes and the Royal Palaces of the British Monarchy. Not to mention the odd ancient stone-circle.

Having such a long and varied history, the British people have contributed disproportionately to the world stage. After all, it was Britain and our people, who have given the world its most commonly used language, the law of gravity, warm ales, "Romeo and Juliet", the Beatles, the World Wide Web and of course... cricket. For centuries Britain has played a leading role in world politics, technology, science, popular culture, sport and many other domains. The hallmarks of these great cultural contributions can still be discovered and enjoyed throughout Britain whether it be viewing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, watching a live music performance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool which launched the careers of the Beatles or in touring a whisky distillery in the Scottish Highlands.

One of the greatest attractions for visitors to Britain however is that you actually get three destinations for the price of one! Formed of the distinct nations of England, Scotland and Wales, each proudly boasts their own individual character, culture and traditions. Whether it be the Celtic heritage and lush green mountains of Wales, the eccentric people and rustic landscapes of England or the fiercely proud Scots and their untamed Highlands you can explore these diverse nations on one simple journey. Whilst they share a common language, currency and governance, together they create an unforgettably varied visitor destination which should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

So whether it’s to visit one particular country or region, or whether you want to combine tours to see multiple aspects of Great Britain, let Great British Journeys be your local hosts.

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Windrush Tales: How one of Britain's worst scandals changed the course of landmark game

Windrush Tales, from a small team of mostly black British Caribbean creatives, is the world's first video game based on the lives and experiences of those who came to Britain to help rebuild after the Second World War.

Technology reporter @tomiyacres

Sunday 18 June 2023 17:42, UK

Imagine packing for a journey into the unknown, unsure of how long you'll be gone, or if you'll ever return home.

Do you fill your case with shorts and sandals or a warm jacket? How much room do you leave for family photos or an old favourite soft toy? How about snacks that remind you of home, or your beaten-up journal to document your new life?

These were the small but significant choices faced by hundreds of Caribbean migrants who boarded HMT Empire Windrush . Lured by the promise of a life of prosperity in Britain, they left their homes to help "the motherland" rebuild after the devastation of the Second World War.

Seventy-five years after the ship docked in Tilbury, Essex, the challenges they faced are being recreated in Windrush Tales, the world's first video game based on their experiences. It tells the story of a generation who came here full of hope, only to end up feeling deeply disillusioned and betrayed.

Great intentions

Chella Ramanan is the creative director on Windrush Tales. Her work's encompassed a wide range of gaming titles from the BAFTA-nominated, Before I Forget, a moving tale of a woman living with early onset dementia, to an upcoming action blockbuster based on James Cameron's Avatar franchise.

But Windrush Tales is undoubtedly her most personal project.

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The daughter of a Caribbean father, who arrived in the UK from Grenada in the 1950s, and a white Scottish mother, Ramanan's team initially conceived Windrush Tales as a celebration of multiculturalism, looking at the positive impact of Caribbean culture on 21st century Britain.

"We thought, 'let's make this game about our heritage and our families who came here'," says Ramanan. "We knew it wasn't perfect, but we thought the multicultural aspect of Britain was largely supported."

Created by 3-Fold Games, a small studio co-founded by Ramanan, the game's beautifully illustrated diary-like presentation uses text to help players inhabit the lives of the Windrush generation.

Its two characters are both black and from the Caribbean. One an aspiring nurse, Rose, the other her older brother, Vernon. Apprehensive but tenacious, Rose follows her sibling to England and plans to start work as a nurse in the newly formed NHS.

Vernon has been in Britain for several years but, unknown to his sister, has struggled to find and stay in work. Through his photography, he documents their attempts to adapt to life in Britain, from grassroots arts and activism, to church and social clubs.

For the 3-Fold team, predominantly made up of black British Caribbean employees, Windrush Tales was seen as an opportunity to tell the types of stories rarely seen in games, which are typically dominated by big budget shooters, sports titles, and huge TV and film franchises.

Just 5% of people working in games in the UK are black, according to the 2022 census by industry trade body Ukie, compared to 66% being white British. And the figures are reflected on screen - a 2021 diversity study by gaming website Diamond Lobby, of more than 100 of the best-selling titles from the previous five years, found 54% of main characters are white, while just 8% are non-white women.

But the celebratory focus of Windrush Tales shifted when, with pre-production barely under way, news broke of a scandal that shook the team's faith to its core.

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The Windrush scandal

Back in 2018, with the 70th anniversary of the Windrush's arrival on the horizon, it emerged that many of those who made the same journey over subsequent decades had been wrongly detained, deported, and denied legal rights by a "hostile environment policy" that cracked down on those deemed to have arrived in the UK illegally.

Some of those deported later died .

Among those worst affected by the government's policy, introduced by the then home secretary Theresa May in 2012, were members of the Windrush generation - who arrived in the UK legally, and with the government's encouragement, between 1948 and 1973. Many, like Rose, took jobs in the NHS - and other sectors impacted by Britain's post-war labour shortage.

While indefinite leave to remain was automatically granted upon their arrival in the UK, many weren't issued with any documents confirming their status and were later unable to prove their right to stay when immigration officers came knocking. Jobs and properties were lost, health care and benefits were denied, and in the worst cases, people were deported to countries they barely knew.

Read more: Home Office knew policy would hit Windrush generation

'A generation were pushed aside'

The game's writer Corey Brotherson - who is also a descendant of the Windrush generation - says the scandal shifted the "entire tone" of the game, and gave the team extra purpose in their work.

"For a lot of people, Windrush was something that was either not known about much or forgotten," he says. "The contributions of the Windrush generation were pushed aside. The scandal helped people realise just how significant they were to the foundation of the modern day Britain."

The world's first Windrush game

To inspire the game's story lines, the studio drew on their families' experiences, news coverage, books, and art exhibitions.

For Brotherson, his grandad was an obvious source of inspiration.

"My grandad wrote about his experiences when he first came over, what he was feeling and the issues he faced," he says. One of his grandfather's first experiences was being ripped off by a taxi driver, and he also struggled for acceptance in the workplace.

"My grandad was a hard worker, but sometimes it was difficult to find work," Brotherson says. "Sometimes if he got a promotion, his white co-workers would be antagonistic towards him.

"It was typical of the racism, bigotry and pushback his generation experienced when they were trying to establish themselves."

The team also put a call-out to the British Caribbean community who were part of that period of migration.

"We sat down for several hours with them and talked about their memories," says Brotherson. "It was absolutely mind-blowing to hear what they went through."

The landmark nature of Windrush Tales secured it a spot at an exhibition on digital storytelling at the British Library, allowing the public to go hands-on with a demo version for the first time when it opened earlier this month.

Read more: UK 'must do more to combat racism' Home Office 'risks another Windrush scandal' Suella Braverman rows back on Windrush reforms

'You can put yourself in their shoes'

Co-curator Ian Cooke says the exhibition showcases "opportunities for writers to write in new ways", specifically those which recognise the audience and respond to their presence.

Also on display are a first-person account of someone bereaved by the Manchester Arena bombing, an experimental game by artist Dan Hett, and the Dictionary Of The Revolution, which charts the evolution of language used in the 2011 Egyptian uprising.

"Storytelling and writing is getting more complex, it's using technology in all sorts of ways," says Cooke.

"There's a spread of diversity in terms of who's writing, who's reading, what kinds of stories are being told. With Windrush Tales, it's the first time someone's written a game about the experience of migration to the UK in the 20th century."

While the game was being planned by the time of Windrush's 70th anniversary, its showcase at the British Library comes during its 75th. As anyone in the industry will testify, game development takes a long time.

3-Fold Games remains unwilling to put a firm date on the final release, but the library exhibition, Digital Storytelling, remains open until 15 October. When it does arrive, Ramanan and Brotherson hope their game will do justice to the struggles of a generation.

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WINDRUSH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

Events are taking place across the UK this year to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the Windrush arriving at Tilbury.

Here are a list of some events - for a full selection, visit windrush75.org/events .

• Windrush: It Runs Through Us at Mansfield Museum until 30 November

• Windrush 75 season at the V&A in South Kensington, London, until 31 August

• Windrush 75 Festival at Vernun Sports Club, Preston on 18 June

• Windrush Women's Space at Audit Room, King's College, Cambridge on 19 June

• A Man From The Sun at Westlands Entertainment Centre in Yeovil on 20 June

• Commemoration of Windrush at Tilbury Dock on 22 June

• Windrush Day 75 at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Bristol on 22 June

• Friends of the Caribbean at Rose Pillar, Campbell Park, Milton Keynes on 22 June

• Celebrating Windrush 75 at RAMM Museum, Queen's Street, Exeter on 22 June

• Windrush 75 Anniversary Concert at Broadway Theatre, Catford on 16 September

"Hopefully people will get enough of a window to peek inside the experience of what lives may have been like during that time," says Brotherson. "If they get that taste of it, whether that's through education, or feel a sense of resemblance to their current day lives, hopefully a good job has been done."

Ramanan hopes that for players who don't know anything about the Windrush generation or subsequent scandal, the game "gives an insight into why Britain is the way it is".

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And for those from the black community, or other minority groups, she hopes it resonates with them.

"Last year we went to a British Caribbean art exhibition, which was amazing - the gallery was full of black Caribbean people," recalls Ramanan. "It just showed that when you display art that represents people who are underrepresented… it's not that they're not interested in art, it is just the art never represents them."

In the case of Windrush Tales, there's no doubt that it will.

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