Shows / UK Travel Planning
UK Travel Planning
The UK Travel Planning Podcast is full of practical tips and advice to help you plan your dream trip to the UK whether you are visiting England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Travel expert Tracy Collins shares years of knowledge and experience of travelling to, and around, the UK to help you plan your UK itinerary.
Listen to special guest interviews full of travel inspiration and practical tips for popular and off the beaten path destinations. Learn more about the best ways to travel…
Episodes
- UK Travel Planning
London in November 2026: What’s On + Travel Tips
November in London means dark afternoons by half past four, fireworks, the first Christmas lights, and a city gearing up for the festive season. This is the…
- UK Travel Planning
Chester Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Visit
A city where you can walk a Roman wall, shop in a medieval gallery and be in Wales twenty minutes later. Briony Wilson from Mountain Goat spent ten years…
- UK Travel Planning
12 Things to Do in London When It Rains (+ a Rainy Day Itinerary)
It’s raining in London and your plans for the day were a walking tour and a wander through the parks. We share how much it really rains, what to pack, 12…
- UK Travel Planning
Beamish Museum: North East England’s Living Museum
A 1900s sweet shop, a tram ride through a pit village and a 1950s hair salon, all in one day. I’m joined by Samantha Shotton, Chief Operating Officer and…
- UK Travel Planning
Visiting the Lake District? What to Know Before You Go
The Lake District looks compact on a map, but valleys, passes and narrow lanes turn "nearby" into a proper journey. Briony Wilson from Mountain Goat Tours in…
- UK Travel Planning
Where to Stay in London: 12 Best Areas Compared
We break London down into 12 areas so you can choose a neighbourhood that matches your plans, your budget and the kind of trip you want. Doug and I share which…
- UK Travel Planning
London in October 2026: What's On + Travel Tips
October in London feels cosy, colourful and much easier to enjoy when you plan around the rain, the shorter days and the half-term rush. This is the second…
- UK Travel Planning
York Travel Guide - What to know before you visit
Many people give York a day and leave wishing they had stayed longer. York local Sinead from York Travel Expert joins Tracy in the next episode of our Before…
- UK Travel Planning
UK Train Travel: West Highland Line Scotland Full Guide
The West Highland Line is the kind of train journey you plan a whole trip around. Tracy and Doug take you from Glasgow Queen Street into the Scottish Highlands…
- UK Travel Planning
London and Far North Scotland: Autumn Travel Tips
Want a UK autumn trip that feels more atmospheric and less frantic? In part two of our autumn special we travel from the far north of Scotland to London to…
- UK Travel Planning
Visiting England in Autumn: Lake District, Cotswolds and Devon
Golden woodlands, quiet villages and cosy pubs. Autumn in the UK has a magic you do not get in high summer. In part one of our two part autumn special, three…
- UK Travel Planning
London in September 2026: What's On + Travel Tips
September in London feels calmer, brighter and more walkable once the school holiday rush fades. This is the first episode of our monthly London bonus series…
- UK Travel Planning
Walking Land's End to Bath: A UK Trip Report
Catherine joins us to share what it is really like to walk 420 kilometres (260 miles) from Land's End to Bath over three weeks, and why the UK makes…
- UK Travel Planning
London Travel Planning - 10 Questions Visitors Always Ask
How many days do you actually need? What should you budget? And what is the fastest way in from Heathrow? Tracy and Doug answer the 10 questions listeners ask…
- UK Travel Planning
Small Group Tours of Scotland: What It Is Really Like on a Rabbie's Tour
We chat with Graham, a Rabbie's driver-guide in Edinburgh, about what turns a simple day trip into a friendly, personal experience. We break down how small…
- UK Travel Planning
Guide to London's Main Train Stations
The departure boards are flashing, the station is heaving, and there is still no platform number. If that scene makes your heart race, you are exactly who we…
- UK Travel Planning
6 Week UK Road Trip: England and Scotland
Rochelle talks us through a 41-day UK road trip from Bath to the Scottish Highlands and back to London, sharing what worked, what surprised her, and how…
- UK Travel Planning
Top 10 Things to Do in London in 2026
Planning a London trip? In this episode we share the experiences that earned a place on our 2026 favourites list, and how to make each one work for your own…
- UK Travel Planning
10 Ways We Help You Plan Your UK Trip
Tracy and Doug step back from the destinations to share who they are and ten ways they help you plan a smarter UK trip, from the podcast and websites to…
- UK Travel Planning
Northern England Road Trip: Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and County Durham
Tracy and Doug take you through the Northern England leg of their recent trip: a route across County Durham, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District that…
- UK Travel Planning
Isle of Mull Scotland: What to See, Do and How to Get There
Puffins that waddle right up to you, dolphins pacing the bow, sea eagles overhead and a sea cave so famous it sparked a Mendelssohn symphony. It all sounds…
- UK Travel Planning
UK Top 10: Best Cities, Castles, Museums and Day Trips
We put ourselves on the spot with ten UK travel categories and share the places, journeys and moments we genuinely love after decades of travelling around the…
- UK Travel Planning
12 Things to See, Do and Experience in Edinburgh
Edinburgh looks compact until you start climbing its hills, chasing viewpoints and discovering how much the Old Town packs into its closes and lanes. Fresh…
- UK Travel Planning
12 Things That Will Confuse You About London (Until You Know the Rules)
London has its own unwritten rules and once you know them, the city makes so much more sense. In this episode Tracy and Doug share 12 things that confuse…
- UK Travel Planning
Visiting London and the UK in Summer: Weather, Events + Best Places to Visit
In this episode we bring together five local experts to share what UK summer travel really looks like from June through August, with practical advice on…
- UK Travel Planning
Scottish Islands Road Trip Part 1: Lewis and Harris Travel Guide
White sand beaches, ancient stone circles, single-track roads, and ferries that sell out months ahead. Scotland's islands are pure magic when you plan them…
- UK Travel Planning
Before You Visit Edinburgh: 12 Things to Know Before Your First Trip
We share 12 essential Edinburgh travel tips that help you avoid the common first-timer mistakes and plan a visit that actually feels relaxed. From…
- UK Travel Planning
UK Travel Planning: Best Tips, Train Myths, and Must-See Destinations [200 Episodes Special]
We celebrate 200 episodes by sharing the practical UK travel planning tips that save you time, money, and stress, plus the misconceptions that trip up…
- UK Travel Planning
Day Tours from London: What to Expect on an tour with The English Bus
Some of the best day tours from London don't start with a train timetable - they start with stepping onto a small group minibus and letting someone else handle…
- UK Travel Planning
12 Things That Will Confuse You in the UK (Until You Know the Rules)
If you have ever been asked “You alright?” in Britain and wondered whether you look unwell, you are not alone. We’re decoding the everyday UK habits that catch…
- UK Travel Planning
Mystery Guides: Outdoor Escape Room Adventures in UK Cities
We chat with Jack Wells, founder of Mystery Guides, about turning UK city exploring into a story-led treasure hunt using a physical book, real history and real…
- UK Travel Planning
UK in December and January: What to Do, Where to Go + Two-Month Trip Report
What happens when the person who has edited nearly 100 episodes of this podcast finally puts all those travel tips to the test on his own UK trip? In this…
- UK Travel Planning
Planning Accessible UK Travel: Essential Tips for Exploring London and Beyond
Planning a UK trip when standing still hurts, stairs are a gamble, and transport feels unpredictable can be genuinely daunting. In this episode, Laura Dilts…
- UK Travel Planning
London & Edinburgh Trip Report: A Mother–Daughter UK Adventure
We map a mother–daughter journey through London and Edinburgh, showing how a smart South Kensington base, well-timed museum visits, and scenic rail travel…
- UK Travel Planning
London Walking Tours with Fantastic Walks: Robin Launder's Expert Guide to the City
Many visitors see a lot in London but still leave feeling like they do not quite understand it. In this episode, Tracy Collins is joined by Robin Launder…
- UK Travel Planning
Visiting London’s Top Museums: How to Choose And Plan Your Visit
London has some of the best museums in the world — but with so many options, how do you decide which ones are right for you? In this episode of the UK Travel…
- UK Travel Planning
London Black Cab Tours: Why Discover Real London Is a Unique Way to See the City
If you’re wondering whether a London black cab tour is worth adding to your itinerary, this episode will help you decide. Tracy is joined by Ollie from…
- UK Travel Planning
Planning a UK Trip in Spring: Weather, Events & Best Places to Visit
Spring flips a switch across the UK, and we’re here for the first warm light, the wisteria‑framed streets, and the rush of longer evenings. We pull together…
- UK Travel Planning
How to Plan a London Itinerary: Expert Tips, Must-See Landmarks & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Planning a London itinerary sounds simple… until you actually try to do it. With so many iconic landmarks, historic sites, museums, neighbourhoods and…
- UK Travel Planning
Navigating UK Train Travel with Rail Expert Doug Collins
UK Rail Planning Tips for Confident Travel Planning train travel in the UK can feel confusing, even overwhelming. Conflicting advice online, outdated blog…
- UK Travel Planning
How to visit Highclere Castle [Downton Abbey] from London
In this week's episode we walk through exactly what you need to know before visiting Highclere Castle, the iconic filming location for Downton Abbey. We share…
- UK Travel Planning
Visiting London - What to eat, where to find it and recommended food tours
This week Tracy Collins sits down with Becki from Devour Tours to explore the vibrant food scene of London. The episode tackles the myth of "beige and boring"…
- UK Travel Planning
Movie and TV-Inspired Destinations to Visit in the UK
This week we explore the growing trend of set-jetting – travelling to destinations inspired by TV series, films, and books. With major new releases, returning…
- UK Travel Planning
Exploring the UK by Train or Car: Pros, Cons, and Planning Essentials
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…
- UK Travel Planning
Planning a Trip to London in 2026: What You Really Need to Know
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…
- UK Travel Planning
Planning a Trip to the UK in 2026: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors
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…
- UK Travel Planning
UK Travel Planning Podcast Year in Review
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…
- UK Travel Planning
A Festive Thank You and Holiday Wishes from UK Travel Planning
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…
- UK Travel Planning
Trip Report with Laura Norton: From Liverpool Legends To London Landmarks & Beyond
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…
- UK Travel Planning
Liverpool Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Beatles, Football and Top Things To Do
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…
- UK Travel Planning
A Literary-Themed UK Adventure (Part 2) Pilgrimage, Reflection + A Romantic Cotswolds Escape
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…
- UK Travel Planning
A Literary-Themed UK Family Adventure (Part 1) – Planning a Trip with Teens with Lauren Eanes
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…
- UK Travel Planning
Stratford-upon-Avon Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay & Eat + Easy Cotswolds Day Trips
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…
- UK Travel Planning
Exploring the UK by Train: Doug’s Six-Week Rail Adventure [Expert Tips]
In episode 174 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins is joined by resident train travel expert Doug Collins to share highlights from his…
- UK Travel Planning
UK Trip Report: How Laura Planned a Solo, Accessible Journey at 60
Planning a trip to the UK and want to make the most of every moment? In this episode, Laura shares how she celebrated her 60th birthday with a 15-day journey…
- UK Travel Planning
Tips for Making the Most of a London Layover: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
This special episode was originally recorded for the Germany Travel Planning Podcast, where Tracy joined Cate to share insider tips for making the most of a…
- UK Travel Planning
The Night Riviera Sleeper Train: London Paddington to Penzance
The Night Riviera is one of only two UK sleeper trains, and it might be the most relaxing way to wake up in Cornwall. UK Travel Planning’s rail expert Doug…
- UK Travel Planning
Essential Tips for Visiting London at Christmas and New Year
London becomes a magical winter wonderland at Christmas, with sparkling lights, festive markets, and iconic decorations. But visiting during the holidays also…
- UK Travel Planning
Scotland Travel Tips: 15 Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Scotland promises unforgettable adventures, but even the best-planned trips can be derailed by a few common mistakes. In this episode, we reveal fifteen…
- UK Travel Planning
England Trip Report: Castles, Countryside + Iconic Sights
This week on the UK Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins is joined by Amy Carpenter from Texas, who shares her unforgettable two-week adventure…