Episode 179 – Trip Report with Laura Norton: From Liverpool Legends To London Landmarks & Beyond
In episode 179 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy welcomes back listener Laura Norton to share her anniversary trip report across England with a France add-on. From Beatles history in Liverpool and a week based near Tower Bridge to a moving D-Day tour in Normandy and a relaxing transatlantic voyage home on the Queen Mary 2, Laura unpacks what worked, what she would tweak, and the practical tips that made everything smoother.
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Episode 179 – Summary
What you’ll learn in this episode
- How Laura structured a multi-city UK itinerary with a simple France add-on
- Beatles highlights in Liverpool and how to stay at George Harrison’s childhood home (25 Upton Green)
- Choosing a London base near Tower Bridge and getting around with contactless on the Tube
- Why seat reservations matter on busy train days and simple luggage strategies
- Day trips: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Thorpe Abbotts (100th Bomb Group Museum)
- Paris as a short stopover and logistics for a full-day D-Day tour in Normandy
- Getting from Caen to Portsmouth by ferry, then on to Southampton for embarkation
- Packing tips for rail plus cruise and coping without guaranteed air conditioning
- A real-world medication hiccup solved in the UK and why travel insurance still helps
- The value of an early itinerary consult with Tracy and Doug
Recommendations from Laura (Accommodation and Tours)
- London VRBO
- How to book a stay at the former home of George Harrison
- Upton Green >> Email [email protected] and quote “Upton Green/ UK Travel Planning” in the subject line
- Caen VRBO
- Paris Hotel- Grand Hotel de Normandie
- Normandy D-Day Tour
- Thorpe Abbots
- Beatles Magical Mystery Tour
- Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studios Tour
UK places, foods and words/concepts mentioned
- Liverpool: Magical Mystery Tour, Beatles sites, 25 Upton Green stay
- London: St Katharine Docks area, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Florence Nightingale Museum
- Day trips: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Thorpe Abbotts (100th Bomb Group Museum)
- France: Paris overnight near Saint-Lazare, Normandy D-Day tour with Overlord Tours
- Transport: Eurostar, Brittany Ferries Caen to Portsmouth, Queen Mary 2 Southampton to New York
- VRBO >> A holiday rental platform similar to Airbnb, used for stays in Liverpool, London, and Caen.
- Prescribing Pharmacist >> In the UK, some pharmacists can issue certain medications directly without a GP appointment.
- Football Match Day >> When football (soccer) matches are on, trains can be very crowded — seat reservations are recommended.
- Tube (London Underground) >> London’s rapid-transit system. Tap your contactless card or smartphone to travel — no paper tickets needed.
- Sticky Toffee Pudding >> A traditional British dessert made with dates and rich toffee sauce — a must-try favourite.
Related content on UK Travel Planning and London Travel Planning
Podcasts
- Episode #100 – Celebrating 100 Episodes: A Special Edition of UK Travel Planning Podcast
- Episode #29: Chat with Ken Lambert – Beatles fan + owner of George Harrison’s childhood home
- Episode #152 – Trip Report: London and Cotswolds Highlights with Kristen Gonzalez
Articles
- When to Book London Attractions
- UK Train Travel Guide eBook
- London Travel Planning Map
- Book a 1:1 Itinerary Consult with Tracy and Doug
- Discover Real London Tours
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