Episode 194 – Trip Report with Amy Bowers
In episode 194 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast,Tracy catches up with podcast supporter and avid traveller Amy Bowers to dive into Amy’s mother and daughter adventure to London and Edinburgh.
Amy shares her planning process from start to finish, including how she chose the best area to stay in London, how she organised days by location to avoid wasting time zig-zagging across the city, and how she handled getting around when plans changed (including a Tube strike).
You will also hear what first-class train travel from London to Edinburgh was like, plus the little moments that made the trip unforgettable.
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Episode 194 – Summary
What you’ll learn in this episode
- How Amy tackled a huge wish list by grouping sights by area (and why this matters so much in London)
- Why South Kensington worked brilliantly as a home base, especially on lower-energy days
- Tips for getting around London and Edinburgh by Tube, bus, taxi/Uber, and on foot
- What first-class train travel was like from London to Edinburgh, and why it beat flying for them
- Museum strategy that actually works (including evening openings to avoid crowds)
- How to build in flexibility so a Tube strike or low-energy day does not derail your trip
- Food highlights, including Borough Market favourites and a Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea
- Allergy-friendly dining tips and what made certain places feel easy and safe
- Amy’s one best tip for first-time visitors: choose an area to stay that you will genuinely enjoy spending time in
Mentioned by Amy in this episode
🏨 Accommodation Mentioned
- London >> The Gore Hotel, South Kensington (Queens Gate)
- Edinburgh >> Wilde Aparthotel (1-bedroom apartment at the foot of the castle)
🚕 Transfers & Transport
- Airport transfers with XFA
- LNER train from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
- GWR train from Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (for Cotswolds tour)
🏰 Tours Mentioned
- Golden Tours – Hampton Court Palace & Windsor Castle
- Go Cotswolds – Cotswolds in a Day (guide: Martin) Use code UKTRAVPLAN for 5% discount
- Walks – Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London
- Walks – Westminster Abbey
🍽️ Restaurants & Food Highlights
- London: Pick & Cheese (Seven Dials Market) Hawksmoor (Sunday roast) Dishoom (South Kensington and Edinburgh) Darwin Brasserie (Sky Garden breakfast) Fortnum & Mason (afternoon tea) Borough Market (Ginger Pig sausage roll, Humble Crumble, Bread Ahead)
- Edinburgh: Makar’s Mash Bar (haggis, lamb, sticky toffee pudding) Greyfriars Bobby Bar (fish and chips)
Food discoveries: Haggis, neeps and tatties, Halloumi fries, Bacon bap with brown sauce, Meal deals and Sticky toffee pudding
🎨 Museums & Highlights
London: V&A (Cast Courts) National Gallery Tate Britain Tate Modern Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park
Edinburgh: National Galleries of Scotland National Museum of Scotland Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh St Giles’ Cathedral Holyrood Palace & Abbey
Related content on UK Travel Planning and London Travel Planning
Podcasts
- Episode #142 – Exploring the Tower of London: History, Highlights, and Helpful Tips
- Episode #58 Edinburgh Travel 101: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Episode #186 – Eating Your Way Through London [What, Where + Food Tours]
- Episode #38 – British Bites: A tasty Introduction to some of Britain’s most iconic foods
Articles
- Ceremony of the Keys (Tower of London)
- Guide to visiting the Tower of London
- Guide to visiting Kensington Palace
- Edinburgh Travel Guide
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