UK Travel Planning

Tracy Collins
  • 4.9 (188)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    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 itinerary. From food tours and royal palaces to day trips, exhibitions and a night in a real Tudor castle, everything here is something we did ourselves this year. Which two London food tours are worth booking (and the historic pubs they take you to)How to combine Changing of the Guard, Kensington Palace + afternoon tea at the Orangery in one dayThe best small group day trips from London: Dover, Canterbury, Oxford, Stratford + the CotswoldsHow to reach Jane Austen's House at Chawton by train and taxi, step by stepTwo walking tours that reveal a Westminster and Soho most visitors never seeThe exhibitions to book now: Queen Elizabeth II - Her Life in Style at the King's GalleryOur honest Chelsea Flower Show verdict: timing, crowds and whether it's worth the ticket priceWhere to eat in 2026: Pick and Cheese, Mercato Mayfair + the Sunday roast at Borough MarketThree gardens for a calm reset from the crowds (two of them free)Why Mr Fogg's murder mystery evening is one of London's most fun nights outThe museums that surprised us, including the Postal Museum's underground Mail RailHow Mystery Guides turn an afternoon into a self-guided treasure huntThe 500 year old castle near Bristol where you can sleep where Henry VIII did📝 Show Notes - Episode 210 If you have a question after listening, or a favourite London experience of your own, send us a message via SpeakPipe. If you know anyone planning a trip to London or the UK, share the episode with them, it really helps us. And if you've enjoyed the show, why not leave us feedback via text or a review on your favourite podcast app? Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  2. Jul 14

    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 consultations, products and a 30,000 strong community. Two Brits who know the UK inside out, now based in Australia, with Doug's near 30 years on the railways behind every train answer. In this episode: The lived experience behind the podcast, and why it shapes the adviceWhy a real person beats a generic AI itinerary or conflicting internet adviceWhere to start when UK trip planning feels overwhelmingPractical help for UK train travel: tickets, railcards, reservations and routesCutting wasted time and money by fixing geography and removing duplicationHonest partner recommendations, personally vetted so you can book with confidenceVisual planning through YouTube, Shorts, Reels and station walk-throughsPlanners, toolkits and ebooks that save hours of researchOne to one consultations, video itinerary reviews and last minute Q&A sessionsFacebook communities for reassurance, tips and real traveller experiencesWherever you are in your planning, pick one resource and start there. Listen to the podcast, read the articles on the website and watch Doug's videos on YouTube. Know someone planning a UK trip? Please share our resources, websites and podcast with them. And if you've enjoyed the show, send us a SpeakPipe message or leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps. Happy UK Travel Planning! 📝 Show Notes - Episode 209 Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  3. Jul 7

    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 blends driving, trains and small group tours. The idea is simple. Copy what worked, skip the stress, and let the small practical tips make the big scenery easier to enjoy. In this episode: Picking up a hire car at Edinburgh Airport quickly via the tram, and why full cover takes the excess worry awayBeamish Living Museum of the North: pit village life, period shops, the trams and a family history connectionPlanning Haworth around the steep cobbled hill, the right shoes, the car parks and Brontë Parsonage opening daysA Yorkshire Dales loop taking in Ribblehead Viaduct, Dent station, Hawes and Wensleydale CreameryFinding "Darrowby" in Grassington for the All Creatures Great and Small filming locationsAdding Malham Cove and Bolton Abbey, with a note on parking costs and accessSwitching from car to trains, including the Settle to Carlisle line and a York base right by the stationUsing Mountain Goat small group tours for the Dales and the Ten Lakes Spectacular to skip the driving and parking pressurePractical reminders: automatics, driving on the left, passing place etiquette and carrying coins for the loosGot a question after listening, or planning a trip to the north yourself? Send us a SpeakPipe message, and please share the podcast with anyone planning a UK trip. If you've enjoyed the show, a review on your favourite podcast app really helps. Happy UK Travel Planning! 📝 Show Notes - Episode 208 Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  4. Jun 30

    Scottish Islands Trip Part 2: Guide to Visiting the Isle of Mull

    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 like a once in a lifetime trip. We wanted to make it something you can actually plan, even if you are travelling without a car and juggling real-world ferry times, bus links and unpredictable Scottish weather. We pick up the journey in Oban and talk through a clear Inner Hebrides itinerary built around public transport: ferry over to the Isle of Mull, bus to Tobermory for a few nights, then a full day boat trip to Lunga for puffins and on to Staffa for Fingal's Cave. Along the way we share the unglamorous details that make or break island travel, like when to arrive as a foot passenger, what layers you genuinely need on the water, how popular tours sell out, and why bringing your own food is non-negotiable on some boat days. From there we cover the wider Mull experience with a guided wildlife tour for golden eagles and white tailed eagles, then travel across to Fionnphort for a day on Iona. We talk about Iona Abbey, the island's distinctive feel, the Book of Kells connection, and how to book ferries in the right order and handle cancellations when they happen. The trip finishes with a scenic ride to Fort William and an overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper, turning the journey home into part of the adventure. Subscribe, share with a friend planning a UK trip, and a quick review on your favourite podcast app means the world. 📝 Show Notes - Episode 207 Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  5. Jun 23

    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 country. The conversation turns into a practical lesson on how to choose priorities for a first UK trip without getting overwhelmed. Favourite cities outside London, with York and Edinburgh highlightsBest day trips from London, including Bath and multi-stop guided optionsStandout UK train journeys, from Settle to Carlisle to the Caledonian SleeperBritish foods worth trying, including Scotch eggs and classic cakesFavourite churches and cathedrals, with Winchester, Salisbury and CanterburyCastles we recommend, from the Tower of London to Wales and NorthumberlandWildlife and landscape moments, including puffins and Highland sceneryMuseums we never skip, from the V&A to the National Railway MuseumBest seasons to visit the UK, comparing spring and early autumnOne-place picks for first-time visitors, from Chatsworth to the CotswoldsIf you'd like to get in touch, leave us a message on SpeakPipe. Share this with anyone you know who is planning a trip to the UK. If you've enjoyed the show, please leave us a review on your favourite podcast app. 📝 Show Notes - Episode 206 Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  6. Jun 16

    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 from five days in the city, Tracy and Doug cut through the noise with a clear, listener-friendly menu of their 12 favourite things to do in Edinburgh, drawn from decades of visits between them. Pick what fits your time, your budget and your energy. We start with the big hitters worth planning around first, then the practical bits that make or break a day: booking tickets early, timing your visits and wearing shoes that can handle steep streets. Here's what we cover: Edinburgh Castle: Crown Jewels, St Margaret's Chapel and why you need to book ahead in summerThe Royal Mile: closes, courts, wynds and the hidden gardens most visitors walk straight pastThe Real Mary King's Close: Edinburgh's buried 17th century street, and what to expect if you don't love enclosed spacesPalace of Holyroodhouse: Mary Queen of Scots, Holyrood Abbey and why to check for last minute closuresArthur's Seat or Calton Hill: which viewpoint suits you, depending on your fitness levelNational Museum of Scotland: free entry, a brilliant rainy day option and a rooftop view most people missGreyfriars Kirkyard: Greyfriars Bobby, grave robbers and the city's spookier sideCamera Obscura: Victorian optical magic and five floors of illusions for familiesEdinburgh food and drink: haggis at Makars Mash Bar, whisky tastings and our favourite afternoon tea in the whole of the UK at The DomeRoyal Yacht Britannia: take the tram to LeithDay trips with Rabbie's: St Andrews, Fife, Alnwick and Bamburgh (use code UKTP10 for 10% off via our link)Islander workshop: make your own Harris Tweed bag, and book ahead because it sells outPlanning your own trip to Edinburgh? Leave us a SpeakPipe message with your questions, share this episode with anyone heading to Scotland, and if you enjoy the podcast we'd love you to leave a review on your favourite app. 📝 Show Notes - Episode 205 Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  7. Jun 9

    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 visitors most, so you can move around with confidence and make the most of every day. They cover: Tube map versus real distance and when walking beats taking the UndergroundLondon zones, daily caps, Oyster card versus contactlessTube etiquette: letting people off, escalator rules, and mind the gapTower Bridge versus London Bridge and how to tell them apartLast entry times and planning attraction visits realisticallyChanging of the Guard: checking schedules, arriving early, and using a tour for the best viewYeoman Warders at the Tower of London: how they live and why a VIP tour is worth itRed phone box photos and why to check before stepping insideLondon black cabs and The Knowledge: why they are unlike any taxi in the worldAfternoon tea versus high tea versus cream tea: what to expect and how to bookSundays in London: restricted trading hours and booking your Sunday roastService charge and tipping: how to spot the 12.5% and avoid paying twicePronunciation: Leicester Square, Greenwich, Southwark, Holborn, Tottenham, and the Marylebone debate.📝 Show Notes - Episode 204 Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

  8. Jun 2

    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 crowds, long daylight hours and booking ahead. We hop from Devon to the far north of Scotland, down to London, across the Cotswolds and up to the Lake District to help you plan days that feel memorable rather than hectic. Timing summer travel around school holidays and why June can feel calmerBooking accommodation and restaurants early, especially in rural areasDevon highlights including Dartmoor, coast days, literary tours and vineyard tastingsFar north Scotland advice on long daylight hours, wildlife spotting and midge conditionsLondon summer energy with parks, Thames walks, late-night galleries and seasonal royal accessCotswolds summer blooms with Hidcote, Kiftsgate, lavender fields and village fêtesAvoiding the Cotswolds honeypot villages by exploring quieter spots and countryside trailsLake District summer highlights including lake cruises, mountain passes, heritage railways and traditional local eventsSend us a message via SpeakPipe and if you've enjoyed the episode, a review on your favourite podcast app goes a long way in helping others find us. Happy UK Travel Planning! Still planning your UK or Ireland trip? Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary.  Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.com Support the show 🗺 FREE UK Trip Planning Roadmap - plan your UK trip step by step ⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you: UK Trip Quick Answers - a 30-minute live Zoom for your UK trip questions.Video Reviews (available anytime) - send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. 🚆 Travelling by train? - Get expert help from Doug, our resident rail expert with 25+ years on the UK network.🎤 Leave us a voice message ➡️ Sponsor our show ➡️ Leave us a tip Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast ...

See All (210)

4.9
out of 5
188 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracy Collins
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    210
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 UK Travel Planning
  • Show Website
    UK Travel Planning

You Might Also Like