Deciding whether to travel around the UK by train, by car, or by using a combination of both is one of the biggest planning decisions you will make. In this episode, we talk through the pros and cons of each option so you can decide what works best for your route, travel style, and priorities.

We explain how UK train travel works in practice and why trains are often the best choice for getting between major cities and towns. We also clear up a common misconception: once you arrive in places like London, York, Edinburgh, or Bath, you generally do not need a car, as these cities are compact, walkable, and well served by local transport.

We then look at when driving makes more sense, particularly for countryside destinations and rural regions, and share common planning mistakes to avoid adding unnecessary stress or cost to your trip.

In this episode, you will learn:

• When trains are the best option for travelling between UK cities and towns
• Why cities like London, York, Edinburgh, and Bath are best explored on foot once you arrive
• How the main UK rail routes fit into itinerary planning
• When hiring a car makes sense for countryside and rural destinations
• Why combining trains for long distances and cars for short rural loops often works best

📝 Show Notes - Episode 184

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #157 - Train Travel Mistakes
• Episode #155 - Road Trip Planning Mistakes 
• Episode #182 - Planning a UK trip

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

London should not feel like a sprint across Zones 1 to 3. In this episode, we share practical, real-world strategies to help you plan London in a way that saves time, protects your energy, and makes the city easier to enjoy.

Rather than rushing between scattered attractions, we explain how to plan by areas, make smarter transport choices, and design days that feel calmer and more enjoyable.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why planning London by neighbourhood works better than chasing a long attraction list
• How to structure days with two nearby highlights and one flexible option
• How contactless payments and Oyster fare caps work
• When to use the Tube, buses, Thames Clippers, or simply walk
• How station walking distances, queues, and crowds affect timing
• Why accommodation location matters more than many visitors expect
• Practical budget tips including free museums, pre-theatre menus, markets, and meal deals
• When experiences like Sky Garden, Buckingham Palace openings and special exhibitions need booking ahead
• How major 2026 events such as the London Marathon, Wimbledon, and Notting Hill Carnival affect crowds and transport

If you want a London trip that trades rushing for rhythm and overwhelm for clarity, this episode will help you plan with confidence.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 183

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #68 – Choosing the Best Place to Stay in London
• Episode #161 – Top 12 Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in London and How to Avoid Them
• Episode #106 – Guide to the London Pass with Daryl Bennett

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

We share a clear, practical plan for designing a realistic UK trip in 2026. From choosing dates and budget to matching transport with routes, this episode focuses on what actually matters so your itinerary feels calm and doable. We also cover key 2026 dates, booking timelines, UK ETA requirements, and the most common planning mistakes to avoid.

In this episode we cover:

• Dates & expectations: picking dates before places to avoid disappointment
• Budgeting: setting a realistic budget that shapes your itinerary
• Route planning: clustering destinations that flow by rail or road
• Transport choices: choosing trains, cars, or a combination based on your itinerary
• Advance bookings: when to book accommodation, tours, and automatic cars
• Entry requirements: understanding UK ETA rules and using the official site
• Common mistakes: avoiding cramming too much in and unrealistic travel times
• Peak periods: planning around school holidays, bank holidays, marathons, and festivals
• Money & packing: paying contactless and packing layers for changeable weather
• Planning tools: using our free challenge, itinerary planners, itinerary planning guides, & maps to help provide clarity.

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

We look back on our biggest year yet, highlight the most-loved London and regional episodes, and share what’s coming next. Expect more rail know-how, trusted partner recommendations, deeper dives into London neighbourhoods, and practical tools to help you plan an unrushed UK trip.

In this episode:

• Download milestones and global audience growth
• Most popular London episodes, including deep dives on the Tower of London
• Trusted partners for airport transfers, black cab tours, and small-group Cotswolds experiences
• Bath highlights and the easiest ways to reach the city by train
• Listener questions on pacing, itineraries, and where to stay
• Clear guidance on UK rail travel, including passes and seat reservations
• eBook and YouTube guides for key train routes and major stations
• Planning support options, including video critiques and one-to-one consultations
• Travel highlights from 2025 across Scotland, London, and Northern Ireland
• What’s coming in 2026, including London neighbourhood deep dives and planning workshops
• How to suggest topics via SpeakPipe, email, and Facebook groups
• Ways to support the podcast through sharing, sponsorship, and five-star reviews

📝 Show Notes - Episode 181

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #132 – London 2025: 12 Essential Tips for Planning Your Perfect Trip
• Episode #133 – Discovering London: 5 Unmissable Experiences for Your 2025 Adventure
• Episode #142 – Exploring the Tower of London: History, Highlights, and Helpful Tips

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

The lights are up, the markets are humming, and we’re taking a quiet moment to say thank you. This festive check-in is our love letter to the UK travel community that carried us through a milestone year—every listen, share, question, and review made the journey brighter and bolder.

We share the simple joys that make a British Christmas feel special: mince pies in a cosy pub, the pop of a cracker and those wobbly paper crowns, twinkling streets in market towns, and the King’s Speech as a gentle pause in the day. Think of it as a pocket guide to seasonal atmosphere—small rituals that turn a winter trip into a memory you’ll reach for again and again.

You’ll also hear from friends who bring the UK to life on the ground. Sally Ann from North Coast Explorer Tours beams in from Scotland’s far north with stories of puffins, dolphins, red deer, rainbows, sunsets, and sometimes the northern lights, plus winter’s quieter pleasures of coastal walks and fireside evenings. Lisa at Go Cotswolds sends warm wishes and an open door for 2026, reminding us why stone villages and rolling paths never lose their magic. And from the capital, Discover Real London shares a cheerful London welcome for the year ahead. XFA Cars rounds things out with practical holiday travel cheer - stay safe, keep plans flexible, and let the festive spirit lead the way.

We’re taking a short break to enjoy the holidays, then we’re back with our final show of 2025: a lively roundup of standout moments, UK travel highlights, and a peek behind the scenes at the numbers you helped us hit. If you’re planning a winter trip, this update is a warm nudge toward the best of the season - lights, markets, and the joy of slowing down in places that reward unhurried wandering.

If this little festive postcard made you smile, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves the UK, and leave a quick review. What’s the one British holiday tradition you can’t wait to try?

📝 Show Notes - Episode 180

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode 170 – Essential Tips for Visiting London at Christmas and New Year
• Episode 154 Winter Travel in London and the UK From Coastal Walks to Christmas Magic
• Episode 169 – Scotland Travel Tips: 15 Commo

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

Listener Laura Norton returns to share how she turned a dream anniversary trip into reality. From Beatles must-dos in Liverpool and a week based at St Katharine Docks in London to a quick hop to Paris, a powerful D-Day tour in Normandy, and a relaxing voyage home on the Queen Mary 2, Laura breaks down what worked, what she’d tweak, and the tips that saved time and stress. If you are planning a similar UK itinerary with a France add-on, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use straight away.

What you’ll learn

• Beatles highlights in Liverpool and how to stay at George Harrison’s childhood home
 • Why reserving seats on busy train days matters and how to use the Tube with contactless
 • London base tips near Tower Bridge plus day trips to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and Thorpe Abbotts
 • How to structure a Paris stopover and reach Normandy for a full-day D-Day tour
 • Caen to Portsmouth by ferry logistics before sailing on the Queen Mary 2
 • Packing lessons for rail and cruise combos and managing without guaranteed air conditioning
 • A real-world medication hiccup solved in the UK and why travel insurance matters
 • The value of an early consult with Tracy and Doug to refine routes and timings

⭐️ Guest - Laura Norton
📝 Show Notes - Episode 179

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #100 – Celebrating 100 Episodes: A Special Edition of UK Travel Planning Podcast
• Episode #29: Chat with Ken Lambert – Beatles fan + owner of George Harrison’s childhood home
• Episode #152 – Trip Report: London and Cotswolds Highlights with Kristen Gonzalez

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

In Episode 178 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy and Doug take you to Liverpool, the vibrant northern city famous for music, football and maritime history. 

Discover must-see Beatles landmarks, the Royal Albert Dock, St George’s Hall and more, with insider tips on where to stay, eat and explore. You will hear practical advice on getting there by train, getting around on foot and Merseyrail, and how to book unmissable Beatles experiences such as the Magical Mystery Tour. Football fans will love Doug’s Anfield stadium insights. Tune in for expert recommendations and inspiration to add Liverpool to your UK itinerary.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 178

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #29: Chat with Ken Lambert – Beatles fan + owner of George Harrison’s childhood home
• Episode #98 From Liverpool to London & Beyond – UK Trip Report with Vernetta and Therron
• Episode #128 – Explore North Wales & Beyond: Customised Cruise Shore Excursions with John Hadwin

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

Following on from last week’s episode, we follow Lauren’s UK sabbatical as it shifts from a teen-led literary road trip to a soulful pilgrimage in  Pembrokeshire and a belated honeymoon through the Brecon Beacons and Cotswolds. From ancient holy wells and monastic islands to bookshop hunts and crowd-beating tips, this episode celebrates slow, meaningful travel across Britain.

• Why a pilgrimage and how to choose a route with the British Pilgrimage Trust
• Highlights of the Way of St David from Fishguard to St Davids
• Staying at St Non’s Retreat Centre as a peaceful home base
• Caldey Island stillness, monastic history, and handmade chocolate
• Brecon Beacons hikes with Tolkien links and sweeping views
• Hay-on-Wye bookshop discoveries and literary nostalgia
• Chipping Campden base and a 12-mile Cotswold Way walk
• Managing August crowds, parking, and small-group Cotswolds tours
• Off-the-beaten-path ideas like the Rollright Stones
• Final advice: pack light, walk slow, stay open

⭐️ Guest - Lauren Eanes
📝 Show Notes - Episode 177

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #176 - A Literary-Themed UK Family Adventure (Part 1) – Planning a Trip with Teens with Lauren Eanes
• Episode #52 – Exploring North Wales: An Introduction with Doug Collins
• Episode #143 – Experience North Wales: Outdoor Adventures, Gastronomy, and Historical Wonders

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

This week  on the podcast Tracy chats with listener Lauren Eanes, who turned her family’s shared love of books into a literary-themed UK adventure. From Dickens’ Broadstairs and Winnie-the-Pooh’s Ashdown Forest to Tolkien and Lewis in Oxford and the landscapes of Watership Down, Lauren shares how stories shaped their itinerary - and how she kept her teens engaged along the way.

You’ll hear practical tips for planning a smooth family trip: combining trains with short car hire, using Airbnbs and meal deals to budget for splurges, and building in rest days for happy travellers. 

Packed with inspiration, logistics, and lessons learned, this episode shows how to bring Britain’s literary world to life for the whole family.

⭐️ Guest - Lauren Eanes
📝 Show Notes - Episode 176

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #46 – Discovering the Magic: A Guide to Visiting Harry Potter Studios in London
• Episode #13 – Trip report: A fun-filled family adventure in London
• Episode #123 – Family Fun in London: Cathy Stephens’ Trip Report

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

In this episode, host Tracy Collins is once again joined by Lisa Benjamin from Go Cotswolds to dive deep into Stratford-upon-Avon - the world-renowned birthplace of William Shakespeare and a destination that deserves more than just a day trip.

Together they share why Stratford is the perfect place to slow down and stay longer, from scenic riverside walks, rowing and cruises to hidden Royal Shakespeare Company gems like the free tower and museum. Discover how to make the most of your visit with insider tips on:

 • Starting with the Stratford Town Walk
 • Best areas to stay – from cosy B&Bs to central hotels
 • Cafes, bakeries, pubs and standout local restaurants
 • Getting around on foot, by bus or hop-on hop-off
 • Avoiding traffic and timing your visit for markets, Mop Fair and festivals
 • Quick wins for smart booking, passes and reservations

Lisa also explains why Stratford makes an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds, with easy access to award-winning Go Cotswolds tours and routes.

🎧 Tune in for practical planning advice, local stories, and tips that help you experience the real Stratford-upon-Avon - plus get 5% off Go Cotswolds tours when you book direct at gocotswolds.co.uk
using the discount code UKTravPlan.

💬 Have a question for Lisa? Leave us a voice message via the Speakpipe link below!

⭐️ Guest - Lisa Benjamin from GoCotswolds
📝 Show Notes - Episode 175

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #136 – Unveiling the Cotswolds: Top Experiences and Insider Tips with Expert Lisa Benjamin
• Episode #115 – Essential Tips for Planning Your Perfect Cotswolds Adventure with Lisa Benjamin of GoCotswolds
• Episode #107

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️