UK Travel Planning

Tracy Collins
  • 4.9 (184)
  • 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. 1d ago

    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! 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    1h 10m

  2. May 26

    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 properly, and we've just come back from an Outer Hebrides road trip ready to share the route and the reality so you can plan your own Lewis and Harris adventure with confidence. We start with the nuts and bolts: driving north from the Midlands, choosing the scenic Glencoe route, staying overnight in Ullapool, and taking the CalMac ferry to Stornoway. Then we get into what actually makes or breaks a Scottish islands itinerary, booking ferries first, locking in accommodation early, and building in flexibility for the weather. We also cover food strategy, from stocking up in Stornoway for self-catering to why reservations matter, plus a few standout places we genuinely rate. From there it's all on-the-ground tips for Lewis and Harris: how to handle passing places on single-track roads, what to watch for with lambs and livestock, when petrol stations might be shut, and why bilingual Scottish Gaelic signs are part of the experience. We finish with the moments you should not miss, beaches like Uig Sands and Luskentyre, the Callanish Stones, blackhouses, and local crafts including Harris Tweed, before giving an honest take on Skye's crowds, parking, and overtourism. Subscribe so you catch Part 2 on Mull and Iona, and if you enjoyed this one, a quick review on your favourite podcast app means the world. 📝 Show Notes - Episode 202 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    52 min

  3. May 19

    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 pronunciation and neighbourhood choice to seasonal crowds, daylight, and the best add-ons beyond the Royal Mile, we make it easier to build an Edinburgh itinerary that fits your pace. Saying Edinburgh and Princes Street correctlyDeciding how many nights you need and why three works wellChoosing between Old Town and New Town for where to stayUnderstanding the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and why August requires advance bookingPlanning for hills, cobbles, steps and viewpoint walks like Calton Hill and Arthur's SeatGetting off the Royal Mile for better wandering, food and souvenirsConsidering The Real Mary King's Close and booking ahead in summerPlanning around Edinburgh daylight hours, fast-changing weather and seasonal pros and consTaking the train from London to Edinburgh and using trams and buses once you arriveVisiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse and checking closure datesMaking time for Leith and the Royal Yacht BritanniaBuilding in breathing space plus easy day trips if you stay longerIf you want help putting your full Scotland (or UK) itinerary together, Doug and I are available for consultations.  Leave me a message via SpeakPipe and let me know what city or area you'd like me to talk through next. 📝 Show Notes - Episode 201 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    40 min

  4. May 12

    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 first-time visitors. We also share the places that still surprise us and what we’re building next to help you plan a UK trip that feels doable and memorable.  • grouping London attractions to cut wasted travel time  • using supermarket meal deals to keep costs down  • booking must do attractions in advance without overplanning everything  • planning UK train routes early and comparing ticket and pass options  • clearing up train myths around tickets “selling out” and paid seat reservations  • building realistic itineraries with transfer time, rest breaks, and weather backup plans  • getting beyond London with day trips to see more of the UK  • destinations that surprised us most including Scottish islands and the Settle Carlisle line  • British food myths plus what to try and why a food tour helps early on  • what’s coming next including “before you visit” guides and London monthly events episodes  • how to use our websites, YouTube channel, Facebook groups, freebies, and consults  📝 Show Notes - Episode 200 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    56 min

  5. May 5

    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 the route. We get out of London for the day and show how small group tours make big-ticket places feel easy, personal and genuinely memorable. We talk through four standout routes with The English Bus and share what to expect on the road, on the ground, and when it comes to booking. why a day trip from London changes how you see Englandmeeting Chris Horsey and the English Bus approach to small group touringhearing from Lucy, one of the English Bus guides, on what makes each route specialStonehenge and Bath as a high-impact pairing across thousands of years of historyKent as a "petri dish" of English history from Romans to WWIIWhite Cliffs viewpoints, Dover Castle highlights and how to use your time thereCanterbury as an underrated city with cathedral time and a guided walk backStratford upon Avon priorities including Shakespeare's birthplaceCotswolds villages, back roads, and why small vehicles matter for accessOxford walking tour tactics including watching for open college doorsbooking advice, lead times, age suitability, mobility considerations, and London pick-up pointsenter the exclusive 5% discount at checkout - UKTP5 - The English Bus⭐️ Guest - Chris Horsey and Lucy from The English Bus 📝 Show Notes - Episode 199 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    1h 19m

  6. Apr 28

    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, practical guide to the social rules that locals follow without thinking, so you can step off the plane feeling more confident and less confused. We talk through 12 classic British culture shocks that show up on UK holidays and London city breaks: the sacred art of queuing, the automatic “sorry” that appears even when someone else is in the wrong, and the understated way we describe everything from weather to opinions. We also dig into British humour, where irony and sarcasm often come with a straight face, plus the quiet etiquette on public transport where eye contact can feel like a major event. Along the way, we tackle UK travel essentials that save time and embarrassment: how ordering works in a pub, what “buying a round” really means, how tipping works in restaurants versus pubs, and why UK place name pronunciation is basically its own sport. We also clear up the difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom and why Scottish and Welsh identity matters. If you’re planning UK travel, subscribe for weekly destination guides and practical tips, share this with a friend visiting Britain, and leave us a review so more travellers can find the podcast. 📝 Show Notes - Episode 198 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    1h 12m

  7. Apr 21

    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 experience doing the Winchester guide - and why it's one of those travel days that genuinely sticks with you. What a Mystery Guide is and how it works on the dayWhy a physical book beats doing it on your phoneTracy's first Mystery Guide in Winchester and the shared experience of bumping into others doing it tooWhere you can do Mystery Guides across the UK and how Jack chooses new locationsHow Jack builds each guide from real events, local lore and unsolved mysteriesAccessibility, what to bring, and how the built-in hints help if you get stuckWho these adventures suit best and what new guides are coming nextExclusive discount: Use code UKTP15 for 15% off at mysteryguides.co.uk ⭐️ Guest - Jack Wells 📝 Show Notes - Episode 197 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    34 min

  8. Apr 14

    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-month visit to the UK with his partner Tilly, and reveals how almost every experience on his list came directly from editing the show. Ryan covers his favourite moments in York and London: the wonderful Old York Tea House, the immersive Jorvik Viking Centre, the theatrical York Ghost Bus Tour, and a self-guided mystery adventure through Stratford-upon-Avon with a Mystery Guide. In London, the V&A, Westminster Abbey, and Churchill War Rooms all exceeded expectations, while an evening at Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration in Covent Garden turned into one of the trip's unexpected highlights. We also get into food and drink: Sunday roasts, cream teas, the great scone debate, the cheese conveyor belt at Pick and Cheese, Irn-Bru, supermarket meal deals, and the baffling brilliance of frozen mashed potato. Ryan also shares his top practical tip for any international visitor, and talks honestly about what he would do differently next time. Whether you're planning your first trip to the UK or your fifteenth, this episode is packed with recommendations, real talk and plenty of laughs. You can find links to all the places and experiences Ryan mentioned, plus some photos from the trip, in the show notes at uktravelplanning.com/episode-196. 🎟️ 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 info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

    1h 3m
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4.9
out of 5
184 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
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 UK Travel Planning
  • Show Website
    UK Travel Planning

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