In episode 35 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we chat with Sally-Ann, founder of private tour company North Coast Explorers, to talk about visiting Far North Scotland. 

This is part one of a two-part podcast – look out for part two (episode 36) next week.

In this episode, you will learn

• How and why Sally-Ann and her husband relocated to Scotland
• What are the highlights of Far North Scotland and why you should add it to your itinerary
• Which parts of Scotland are classed as Far North Scotland?
• What can visitors expect from a trip to Far North Scotland?
• Why peatland landscapes are important ecologically
• What landscape and wildlife you can expect to see in the region and when to see it
• How to get to Far North Scotland
• What the seasons hold in Far North Scotland
• Planning your visit to Far North Scotland
• What to expect from the roads in Far North Scotland
• What is the North Coast 500 (including which direction to travel and how long you need)

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-35

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 34 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast Tracy chats with Doug of Meneage Tours in Cornwall.

If you have listened to episode 32 of the podcast when we chatted to Wendie Hume about her month-long driving holiday around the UK you may remember how much Wendie loved her day tour with Meneage Tours. 

So I had to ask Doug onto the podcast to chat about all things Cornish!

In this episode, you will learn about the various tours Meneage Tours offers around Cornwall including some that fans of Doc Martin and Poldark will find of particular interest.

We also discuss the advantages of taking a private driver-guided tour with Meneage Tours.

Doug also shares tips and insider information and important things to consider if you are planning a trip to Cornwall.

Other tours offered by Meneage Tours include the Lizard Peninsula, a 5 day tour to explore Cornwall in more depth and an ancestry-based tour for those interested in tracing their Cornish roots.

You will also discover Doug’s number one tip for first-time visitors to Cornwall plus information about how to contact Doug to book a tour with Meneage Tours.

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-34

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In this week's episode of the podcast Tracy chats with guest Victoria of Cotswold Teacup Tours about all things British.

The episode was recorded as a live Facebook session to answer questions posed by the UK Travel Planning Facebook group. (Click here and request to join)

In this episode Tracy and Victoria chat about topics such as their love of tea, why they enjoy visiting gardens (and name some of the favourites) plus why they recommend staying in a B&B or heading to a local village pub if you want to meet the locals when travelling the UK,.

They also answer questions such as where to stay in London, their favourite UK foods, recommended castle hotels and more destination specific topics such as the best place to eat in Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds for afternoon tea or a roast dinner, and how long to actually allow for a visit to the Tower of London.

They also chat about the books they're reading at the moment which are set in or about the UK.

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-33

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 32 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast Tracy chats with Australian Wendie Hume who, in October 2022, spent a month exploring England, Scotland and Wales on a road trip with her husband. 

Wendie wanted to see as much of Britain as possible, including where her grandparents originated from in northern England. 

Wendie shares information about how she planned the trip, where they stayed, her highlights, favourite experiences and tours plus tips for anyone planning their own UK road trip.

In this episode, you will discover

• How Wendie planned their 31 day driving trip around Britain
• The various destinations Wendie included in her itinerary including the highlights of each
• The different accommodation options they chose and why Wendie loved staying in B&B's during their trip
• Tips from Wendie for anyone planning their own UK trip
• Wendie's recommended tour options and experiences - Meneage Tours and the Jacobite Steam Train were particular favourites.
• What Wendie packed for her trip (and what she wished she hadn't)
• What surprised Wendie about the UK
• Wendie's number 1 tip for anyone planning to visit the UK

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-32

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 31 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast learn about 9 of London's main train stations including Kings Cross, Euston and Paddington!

If you are planning train travel from London but are not familiar with the city it can be confusing to navigate its major London train stations.

Whether you plan to journey from London for a day trip by train to one of the popular cities or attractions nearby or for a longer rail adventure around the UK these are the train stations you will be using. It is also worth considering when planning your accommodation in London so you are not spending too much time crossing the city to access train services.

In this podcast learn about

• Each of the principal train stations you may use if you are travelling from London to other destinations in the UK including Kings Cross, St Pancras and Liverpool Street Stations
• The locations of each of the train stations
• Which train stations connect to which London airports (for your arrival or departure) 
• Which areas of the country each station serves
• Examples of travel times to popular UK destinations 
• Answers to commonly asked questions about rail travel in the UK

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-31

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 30 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast Doug and I talk through our Scotland road trip itinerary from May 2022. We spent 18 days travelling around Scotland - starting and ending in Edinburgh.

We carefully planned our itinerary to make the most of our time in Scotland and visited many beautiful destinations. We also spent 5 days of the trip driving the famous North Coast 500 route around far north Scotland. 

What you will learn in this episode

• How we planned our Scottish road trip
• Our exact day-to-day itinerary
• Information about each destination
• The highlights along the way (there were many)
• Where we saw Highland cows 
• What it was like driving part of the North Coast 500
• Some of our favourite accommodation choices
• Things we learnt along the way and tips to help make the most of your Scottish road trip.

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit https://uktravelplanning.com/episode-30/

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 29 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we chat with Ken Lambert a lifelong fan of the Beatles and in particular George Harrison.

In 2022 Ken bid on (and subsequently won that bid) to purchase George Harrison's childhood home in Liverpool.

In this podcast, he shares his fascinating story from George Harrison fan to now owner of a property closely associated with the Beatles. Also, learn how you can actually now stay in the former Beatles home - an absolute must for any Beatles fan.

He shares how he redecorated the front room using photographs taken in the late 1950s and early 1960s. And it is in this front room the Quarrymen practised and where George, John and Paul's creative juices flowed.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• How to book a stay at Upton Green >> Email [email protected] and quote "Upton Green/ UK Travel Planning" in the subject line
• Information about Ken's Facebook group >> See more photos and videos of the Beatles and Upton Green here
• The story behind Ken's love of the Beatles and in particular George Harrison and how he ended up placing the winning bid to purchase the Upton Green property
• Information about when George Harrison lived in the house.
• How Ken redecorated the front room home to look as it did in the days when George lived there and Paul and John would practice with him.
• How Ken since he purchased the house has met many people associated with the Beatles including the manager of the Cavern Club in the 1960s and some former members of the Quarrymen.
• Ken's number one tip for any Beatles fan visiting Liverpool

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-29

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 28 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we chat with Rob Bruns about his family's week-long visit to London in the summer of 2022. This visit was at the end of a month-long trip around England and Scotland (you can hear our chat with Rob about the previous 3 weeks of the journey in episode #18)

In this episode, you will learn

• How Rob planned their London itinerary
• A day-by-day account of what they did and where they visited
• How Rob and his family took 2 day trips out of London and how they got there
• Where they stayed in London
• The souvenirs they purchased
• Their favourite experiences in London included taking part in the Big British Bake-off
• Which afternoon tea the Bruns family enjoyed in London
• Their favourite places to eat (including ice cream and for bubble waffles)
• How Rob and Heather prepared their 11-year-old son for the trip

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-28

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 27 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast discover the magical beauty of the Cotswolds with Victoria from Cotswold Teacup Tours.

"The Cotswolds is such a beautiful and quintessential English part of the country. And to live in it and to be able to take tours around there I'm not surprised you absolutely love it." -Tracy

Victoria is the owner of Cotswold Teacup Tours which takes small groups on private tours of the Cotswolds. She loves the area and is passionate about sharing her local knowledge and experience of this beautiful part of England.

In this podcast, Victoria chats with Tracy about the Cotswolds and answers a variety of questions from members of the UK Travel Planning Facebook group. 
She also shares interesting stories and photos of the Cotswolds including photos she took of the snow which fell in the Cotswolds in December 2022.

In this episode, you will learn the following:

• Discover the beauty of the UK in winter by exploring the picturesque snow-covered Cotswolds.
• Learn about some favourite English pubs and tea rooms in the Cotswolds.
• Uncover a little of the history of the Cotswolds. 
• Learn about locally produced foods, goods and souvenirs available to purchase when you visit.
• A few walks that you can take in the Cotswolds.
• Find out how to book a private tour of the Cotswolds with Victoria's Cotswold Teacup Tours

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-27

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

🎟️ Book a Walks or Devour Tour in London
Want to make your London trip unforgettable? From early access to the Tower of London to food tours through Borough Market, Walks and Devour offer small-group, expert-led tours we personally love and recommend.
➡️ Click here to book your tour

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

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

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 26 of the UK Travel Planning podcast, we discuss the various train routes available between London and Edinburgh. 

Learn about the various options you have to travel by train between London and Edinburgh plus suggested places to stop off along the way. 

We share how it is possible to spend a few hours in York (plus what to do with luggage) and what you can do and see in the city. Durham and Newcastle are also discussed as possible places to alight the train for a few hours before continuing to Edinburgh.

We share some tips about what to look out for along the route north of Durham and also where to sit on the train for the best views of the Northumberland Coast.

Various ticket and pass options are discussed including the BritRail pass and Global Eurail Pass.

Train route options back to London are covered too including which major cities through which each route passes. Learn about the various trains that operate on these lines including the Caledonian Sleeper Service and Lumo service.

For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit https://uktravelplanning.com/episode-26/

>> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help plan your trip including our popular UK Train Travel ebook.

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Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
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Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!