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Are you wondering what it is like to travel to (and around) the UK in 2022?
In podcast episode 14, I am joined by Karen who was in the final stages of planning a 5 week trip to the UK for herself and her family.
Karen had not been to the UK for over 8 years and was keen to ask questions and learn from our experiences following our own recent 12-week trip.
In addition to asking questions posed by the UK and London Travel Planning Facebook Community Karen was interested in up-to-date insights and tips for travel to the UK.
Topics covered in this episode include our trip highlights (destinations and experiences), the logistics of travelling around the UK (and the nightmare of parking in some places), how to budget on the go plus essential information such as where to find the best fish and chips or afternoon tea in the UK!
Click the blue button below to listen:
Episode 14 Show Notes – Highlights and tips from our 12-week UK trip
Topics covered in this episode:
- The highlights of Tracy and Doug’s 3 month trip to the UK
- Their favourite destinations and experiences
- The logistics of planning a trip to the UK
- Considerations when planning to travel around the UK by rail or car
- What to eat in the UK (and the best restaurants for some traditional British meals)
- What to pack for the UK climate
- Money – Cash versus card in the UK
- Tips to help save money and budget on the go
- How they accessed WiFi
- What they took (but wished they hadn’t) + what they didn’t take but wished they had!
- What souvenirs they purchased
- A destination in London you need to add to your itinerary
- Tracy’s top tips for anyone planning their visit to the UK
Places and experiences mentioned in this episode include
>> St Michael’s Mount – A tidal island in Mount’s Bay Cornwall. It is linked to the town of Marazion by a causeway.
>> The Orkneys – An archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. There are a group of over 5000-year-old sites including Skara Brae and the Stones of Brodgar
>> Vindolanda – A Roman fort located near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland
>> Bodmin Moor where our Shepherd’s Hut accommodation was located in Cornwall
>> Wee Hoose Glamping Pod in Scotland – We stayed in this wonderful glamping pod located near Kinbrace before catching the ferry to the Orkneys from Gills Bay.
>> The Isle of Skye – The largest island of the Inner Hebrides islands located off northwest Scotland.
>> Lindisfarne – A tidal island located off the coast of Northumberland. Famous for the Lindisfarne Gospels.
>> Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Area in Portsmouth Harbour containing several historic buildings and ships including the Mary Rose and the Victory.
>> The Cotswolds – Picturesque area of England famous for beautiful villages and market towns.
>> Highclere – Famous castle belonging to the Carnarvon family. Also known as Downton Abbey.
>> Afternoon tea at the Shard – Book Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard
>> Photoshoot with Scalens Studios – Book a professional photoshoot to capture precious memories of your trip.
>> St Ives – A town on the northern coast of Cornwall famous for art and stunning beaches.
>> Makars Gourmet Mash Bar – Best haggis in Edinburgh!
>> The Georgian Tea Rooms at the Dome in Edinburgh – Best afternoon tea in Edinburgh!
>> British foods including sausage rolls, pasties, and gammon steak can be found in supermarkets. Greggs bakery is also a popular choice!
>> Harry Potter Studios – Located north of London near Watford the Warner Bros Studio Tour is one of the most popular day trips from London. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
>> Greenwich – A famous maritime district located about 5 miles south-east of central London. Must-sees include the Painted Hall, Tulip Staircase and Greenwich Meridian
>> Christmas markets – Read about 10 most beautiful Christmas markets in the UK including Bath, Lincoln, York & Winchester
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🇬🇧 Plan your trip to the UK 🇬🇧
We are here to help you plan your trip to the UK – wherever you are heading in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Our step-by-step guide to planning your trip and our itinerary planning challenge are great places to start. Join our free UK and London Travel Planning group on Facebook and chat with other travellers planning (or recently returned) from the UK.
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