In episode 152 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, guest Kristen Gonzalez shares her eight-day family adventure through England with her husband and parents in their late 70s, highlighting their experiences in London and the Cotswolds during April.
She details their thoughtful planning process, excellent transportation arrangements with XFA Cars, and memorable tours including Go Cotswolds excursions (enter code UKTRAVPLAN for a 5% discount for our UKTP community) and a Seven Sisters coastal day trip from London.
Kristen also offers invaluable tips for travel planning, particularly on booking ahead. Tune in for practical advice, inspiring stories, and plenty of laughs to help you plan your own perfect UK getaway!
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Tours recommended by Kristen
- Cotswolds in a Day with Go Cotswolds – enter code UKTRAVPLAN FOR 5% discount
- Secret Cotswolds – enter code UKTRAVPLAN FOR 5% discount
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Episode 152 – Summary
In this episode, we dive into all the details of Kristen Gonzalez’s recent spring adventure to England with her husband and parents. We chat about their experiences in both the Cotswolds and London – from charming villages and rolling hills to vibrant city streets and iconic sights.
We cover how Kristen planned the trip with her multi-generational group, the logistics of getting around without a car, why they chose Go Cotswolds tours, and some of their favourite London highlights, day trips, pubs, and meals.
Whether you’re dreaming of your own UK getaway or love hearing real traveller stories, join us as we unpack Kristen’s tips, must-dos, and what she’d do differently next time. If you’re planning a trip to the UK, you won’t want to miss Kristen’s number one tip for visitors at the end of the episode!
What you’ll learn in this episode
- 🇬🇧 Kristen Gonzalez shares her detailed trip report on an 8-day UK adventure with her husband and parents, exploring both London and the Cotswolds
- ✈️ Hear how Kristen managed logistics for a multi-generational trip, including why she chose private transfers over trains (tip: travel stress reduction for older family members!)
- 🏡 Discover why Morton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds was a top accommodation pick for its ideal location and transport links
- 🚌 Learn about the two different Go Cotswolds tours Kristen booked, how they contrast, and why small group, locally-guided tours made the Cotswolds trip a highlight
- 🍻 Find out how Kristen balanced everyone’s travel wishes—from her dad’s dream of English pubs to her husband’s must-see cigar shop
- 🏙️ Get inspired by Kristen’s London itinerary jam-packed with tours: afternoon tea on a double-decker bus, Westminster walking tour, royal historic pub crawl, and coping with the London Marathon weekend
- 🌊 Hear all about the 7 Sisters and Brighton day trip—how a guided excursion made seeing the coast easy and memorable
- 🥧 Foodies will love hearing about British culinary firsts: game pie, sausage rolls, and top fish & chips spots like The Vault
- 🛍️ Souvenir hunters take note: tips on finding unique gifts, from antique jars in the Cotswolds to clever DIY London-themed earrings
- 🏨 Get an insider’s review of The Resident Covent Garden—why it’s a great base for exploring London’s vibrancy yet staying peaceful
- 📝 Kristen’s top trip-planning tip: book as much as possible in advance—including pub and restaurant reservations—to make the trip smooth and stress-free
- 📋 Discover how planning (and leaving some flex time!) helped the group enjoy both sightseeing and spontaneous moments
- 📸 Plus, find out how the UK Travel Planning community and resources helped Kristen craft her dream itinerary—hear about trusted tour operators and key recommendations
UK places, foods and words/concepts mentioned
Places
- London – the capital city of the UK, featuring highlights such as Covent Garden, Westminster, Tower Bridge, Saint James Park, and the Tower of London
- The Cotswolds – a picturesque rural region in south-central England, known for its rolling hills, quaint villages, and thatched roofs
- Morton-in-Marsh – town in the Cotswolds with a train station, main hub for Go Cotswolds tours
- Seven Sisters – famous chalk cliffs on the Sussex coast, visited on a day trip from London
- Brighton – seaside city on the south coast, access point for day trip to the South Downs and Seven Sisters
- Sussex – historic county in South East England, featuring Beachy Head and Devil’s Dyke National Trust
- Beachy Head – dramatic coastal headland near Eastbourne, close to Seven Sisters
- Devil’s Dyke, National Trust – a deep valley and beauty spot in the South Downs, near Brighton
- Covent Garden – vibrant district in London known for its market, shops, eateries, and theatres
- Westminster – area in central London, site of many iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster
- Tower Bridge – iconic bascule and suspension bridge in central London
- Holborn – central London district, also mentioned as an accessible/lightly more affordable area for accommodation
- Davidoff London – famous cigar shop in London
- The Vault, London Tower Bridge – fish and chips restaurant located under Tower Bridge
- Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration – themed cocktail bar in Covent Garden, London
Foods
- Game pie – including venison, pheasant, partridge
- Sausage rolls – classic British baked savory pastry
- Fish and chips – iconic British meal, specifically tried at The Vault under Tower Bridge
- Afternoon tea – enjoyed on a themed bus tour around London
- Cheese – sampled at a “cheese bar” in Covent Garden
- Tea – purchased as souvenirs, also featured in afternoon tea experience
- Pub classics – referenced as part of the trip, especially in the Cotswolds and during London pub tours
Words/concepts
- Go Cotswolds – local tour company specialising in small-group tours of the Cotswolds.
- Secret Cotswolds – specialised tour offering unique insight into less-visited Cotswolds villages and countryside – use code UKTRAVPLAN for 5% discount on tours with GoCotswolds
- London Marathon – a major annual running event that impacts travel plans in the city
- Changing of the Guard/Changing of the Horse Guard – ceremonial events in London
- Historic Royal Pub Tour – guided tour of historic London pubs with storytelling
- Black cab – iconic London taxi
- Tube – London Underground transport system
- Afternoon tea bus tour – tea experience on board a bus touring London
- Molton Brown – British luxury bath, body & beauty brand, shop visited in Covent Garden
Related content on UK Travel Planning and London Travel Planning
Articles
- How to get around the Cotswolds [Driving, Public transport options, Tours]
- Best day trips from London
- Guide to Westminster Abbey
Podcasts
- Episode #136 – Unveiling the Cotswolds: Top Experiences and Insider Tips with Expert Lisa Benjamin
- Episode #115 – Essential Tips for Planning Your Perfect Cotswolds Adventure with Lisa Benjamin of GoCotswolds
- Episode #97 – Easy day trips from London by train (Part 2)
- Episode #96 – 10 Easy day trips from London by train (Part 1)
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