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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. APR 7

    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 shrinking the trip down to safe choices or missing the magic. We talk through the real decisions that make accessible UK travel work: starting early, turning a wish list into an energy-friendly plan, and researching each attraction for seating, step-free routes, and the sections that simply won't work. Laura explains how she handled iconic sights like the London Eye, the Tower of London, and Edinburgh Castle by pacing herself, skipping stair-heavy sections, and speaking up clearly when she needed to sit. Transport is a big part of the story too. We dig into London's accessibility options, why buses and taxis are worth budgeting for, and why hop-on hop-off buses are underrated for tired legs. Laura also gives an honest account of the UK's Passenger Assistance Service on trains, what the help actually looks like, how luggage is handled, and why flexible tickets can be a lifesaver. We also cover airport assistance lessons from Edinburgh and Heathrow, including what went wrong during a terminal transfer and how to avoid it next time. Whether you're planning accessible travel in the UK, travelling with someone who is, or simply want a calmer and more confident approach, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. You can find our comprehensive guide to accessible travel in the UK, including a free downloadable checklist, in the show notes at uktravelplanning.com/episode-195.  🎟️ 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 ❤️

    46 min

  6. MAR 31

    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 of the Keys at the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Borough Market food finds, and a Cotswolds day trip plus first-class train travel to Edinburgh and unforgettable meals along the way. In this episode we cover: • choosing South Kensington as a quiet, walkable London base  • using first-class trains instead of flying to Edinburgh  • late-night museum strategy to skip the crowds  • the Ceremony of the Keys as a signature history moment  • Hampton Court and Windsor on a guided coach tour  • a Cotswolds in a Day tour with GoCotswolds for rest and village charm  • art highlights at the V&A, National Gallery, and Tate Britain  • why St Giles’ Cathedral and Holyroodhouse won over Edinburgh Castle  • food wins: Borough Market, Dishoom, Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea, Makar’s Mash Bar  • managing food allergies and navigating UK meal deals  • coping with Tube strikes, taxis, and long walking days  • packing smart, luggage storage, and souvenir strategy  • one key takeaway: pick a base you genuinely enjoy staying in You can find photos from Amy’s trip, plus links to her hotels, tours, and restaurants at: 👉 https://uktravelplanning.com/episode194 🎧 Listen to next Episode #142 – Exploring the Tower of London: History, Highlights, and Helpful TipsEpisode #58 Edinburgh Travel 101: Essential Tips for First-Time VisitorsEpisode #186 – Eating Your Way Through London [What, Where + Food Tours]Episode #38 – A tasty Introduction to some of Britain’s most iconic foods If you would like to support the podcast, as Amy kindly does each week, you can sponsor us via this link from just three US dollars a month. It’s less than a cup of coffee and helps us keep producing the show to help you plan your perfect UK trip. 🎟️ 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 2m

  7. MAR 24

    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 bring London’s history to life. Robin shares how his background as a history and English teacher, plus years in education training, shapes the way he guides. You will hear why stories stick, what surprises first timers most about walking tours, and how guides balance humour with the heavier parts of London’s past. We also chat through some of Robin’s most popular themed walks including Soho Rock and Roll, Westminster Wonders, Hidden London (Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden and back), Churchill, and Jack the Ripper (informed by Robin’s earlier career in the prison service and his criminology background). Use exclusive code UKTP10 for 10% discount when booking a London walking tour with Robin at Fantastic Walks. 👉 Full show notes and helpful links at uktravelplanning.com/episode-193 🎧 Listen to next: Episode #189 – How to Plan a London Itinerary: Expert Tips, Must-See Landmarks & Common Mistakes to AvoidEpisode #186 – Eating Your Way Through London [What, Where + Food Tours]Episode #167 - Must-Do London Experiences, Secret Spots + Foodie Favourites🎟️ 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 ❤️

    48 min

  8. MAR 17

    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 to help you choose the ones that match your interests and plan your visit confidently. From iconic institutions like the British Museum and the V&A to the London Transport Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich, we cover: Who each museum is best suited forWhich museums are free and which are ticketedWhen you need to book timed-entry slotsInsider tips to avoid crowds and museum fatigueThe best museum cafés and afternoon tea optionsWhich museum shops are actually worth your timeWe also share practical planning advice — grouping museums by area, pairing them with nearby sightseeing, and making the most of your time in South Kensington, Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Westminster and Greenwich. Whether you're a first-time visitor, travelling with children, or returning to London for a deeper cultural experience, this episode will help you build a museum plan that works for you. We also tease a future episode covering some of London’s smaller and lesser-known museums, including the Florence Nightingale Museum, the Foundling Museum, and more hidden gems. 📝 Full show notes and helpful links at uktravelplanning.com/episode-192 🎧 Listen to next: Episode #189 Building a London Itinerary: Iconic Experiences & Making the Most of Your TimeEpisode #183 Planning a Trip to London in 2026Episode #106 Guide to the London Pass 🎟️ 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
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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
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 UK Travel Planning
  • Show Website
    UK Travel Planning

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