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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 around the UK (including by train), about British culture and history and much more!
Tune in and let us help you plan your perfect UK itinerary with all the places and experiences you have been dreaming of. UK Travel Planning - helping YOU plan YOUR perfect UK vacation.
Episodes
198 episodes
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 travellers off guard, even when they’ve visited before. Tracy and Doug share a light...
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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 hidden treasure. Tracy shares her own expe...
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 episode, our editor Ryan Fairweather from New Zealand shares highlights from his two-mont...
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 shares how she built a London and Scotland itinerary around a back injury, without shri...
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 turned a packed plan into a calm, joy-filled trip.Highlights include the Ceremony ...
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, founder of Fantastic Walks, to explore how walking tours and storytelling b...
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 Planning Podcast, Tracy and Doug guide you through London’s most popular museums...
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 Discover Real London to tal...
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 clear, local advice from London to the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Devon, and the far...
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 experiences to choose from, it is easy to overpack your days, waste time travelling acr...
Navigating UK Train Travel with Rail Expert Doug Collins
UK Rail Planning Tips for Confident TravelPlanning train travel in the UK can feel confusing, even overwhelming. Conflicting advice online, outdated blog posts, and well-meaning Facebook comments often leave visitors unsure wh...
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 practical planning tips from our own recent visits, coverin...
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" Br...
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 favourites, and big anniversaries coming up in 2026, set-jetting ...
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 episode, we talk through the pros and cons of each option so you can decide what works ...
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 saves time, protects your energy, and makes the city easier to enjoy.Rather than r...
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 focuses on what actually matters so your itinerary feels calm and doable. We also ...
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 partner recommendations, deeper dives into London neighbourhoods, and practical tools ...
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 community that carried us through a milestone year—every listen, share, question, and review...
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 Katharine Docks in London to a quick hop to Paris, a powerful D-Day tour in Normandy, and a r...
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 history. Discover must-see Beatles landmarks, the Royal Albert Dock, St George...
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 Pembrokeshire and a belated honeymoon through the Brecon Beacons and Cotsw...
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 Dickens’ Broadstairs and Winnie-the-Pooh’s Ashdown Forest to Tolkien and Lewis ...
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 birthplace of William Shakespeare and a destination that deserves more than just a day trip.<...
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 six-week rail adventure across the UK. Travelling from London to Scotl...