In episode 162 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy welcomes guests Merry and Chris Paxton from Minnesota to share stories from their epic four-week road trip in the UK.
From exploring the castle ruins and Neolithic stone circles of South Wales, Cornwall, and Dorset to celebrating VE Day in Plymouth and discovering Roman ruins nestled in unexpected neighbourhoods, they offer charming anecdotes and invaluable travel tips.
The episode covers the joys of driving a tiny Fiat 500 on narrow scenic roads, planning flexible itineraries, staying in cosy Airbnbs, favourite UK foods, and insider advice for both first-time and repeat visitors. Tune in for inspiration and laughter!
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Episode 162 – What you’ll learn in this episode
- 🚗 Merry and Chris share their four-week road trip adventure through South Wales, Cornwall, the Jurassic Coast, East Anglia, and a finale in London – packed into a tiny Fiat 500!
- 🏰 Discover how to plan a UK itinerary that balances “must-sees” (like crumbling castles and ancient stone circles) with spontaneous explorations, plus why slow-travel and regional focus make for a richer experience on repeat visits
- 🏞️ Find out why South Wales’ castle ruins and hidden history, Cornwall’s wild landscapes and Neolithic sites, and the Jurassic Coast’s gardens and coastal walks made such a lasting impression on seasoned visitors
- 🚆 Learn how the UK’s trains enhance a trip (especially in and around cities like Cardiff and Cambridge), but why Merry and Chris still recommend renting a car for flexibility, plus honest insights on driving in the UK (including navigating roundabouts and narrow hedged lanes)
- 🍽️ Cornish pasties, Scotch eggs, and pub culture—hear what treats and local food shouldn’t be missed, along with tips for enjoying truly local experiences and connecting with residents over cricket and conversation
- 🏛️ Tips for exploring British cities on foot, from university towns like Cambridge and Norwich to historic cathedrals in Winchester – plus why the “oldness” of UK architecture never gets old for American visitors
- 🎭 Find out about unique London experiences: taking the Discover Real London Black Cab Tour and the “rock and roll” walking tour, seeing The Mousetrap in the West End, and why NOT to drive in the capital!
- 🧳 Practical advice for trip planning: “possibilities” lists, the value of flexible itineraries, the importance of local knowledge from hosts, and why May is a favourite time to explore the British countryside and gardens
- 🚦 Essential tips for first-timers AND repeat visitors: don’t fear UK driving, make time for pub chats, and slow down to enjoy Britain’s out-of-the-way gems – and learn why the next trip Merry and Chris are heading for the Lake District, Yorkshire, and Northumberland!
UK places, foods and words/concepts mentioned
Places
- South Wales – region of Wales explored by Merry and Chris (including Cardiff, Coity Castle, Whitchurch)
- Cardiff – capital of Wales; urban base for visiting South Wales
- Coity Castle – ruined medieval castle located within a neighbourhood in South Wales
- Cornwall – county in southwest England, known for its coastline and historic sites (places visited: Tintagel Castle, Callington, Bodmin Moor, Land’s End, Lizard Point, St Ives, Mevagissey)
- Tintagel Castle – a legendary site associated with King Arthur, located on the Cornish coast
- Callington – a small town in Cornwall where Merry and Chris stayed
- Bodmin Moor – granite moorland in northeastern Cornwall, home to Neolithic stone circles (The Hurlers), cheese ring rock formations, and wild ponies
- Plymouth – a port city in Devon, visited for VE Day commemorations
- Land’s End – the most westerly point of mainland England
- Lizard Point/The Lizard – the southernmost point on the British mainland
- St Ives – a coastal town in Cornwall, famous for its beaches and art scene
- Mevagissey – Cornish fishing village
- Jurassic Coast – UNESCO World Heritage site stretching from East Devon to Dorset
- Dorset – county on the south coast of England; part of the Jurassic Coast, includes towns like West Bexington, Weymouth, Dorchester, Abbotsbury
- West Bexington – village near the coast, base for exploring Dorset
- Abbotsbury – known for its subtropical gardens
- Dorchester – historic town in Dorset
- Weymouth – seaside town in Dorset
- Winchester – city in Hampshire, home to Winchester Cathedral
- East Anglia – region of eastern England explored by Merry and Chris (including Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, Cambridge, Great Yarmouth, Caister-on-Sea, Little Paxton, Anglesey Abbey)
- Bury St Edmunds – historic market town in Suffolk, used as a base for East Anglia explorations
- Cambridge – famous university city
- Norwich – city with a large cathedral and medieval history
- Great Yarmouth – seaside resort town, known for its tourism and amusement attractions
- Caister-on-Sea – site of Roman ruins near Great Yarmouth
- Little Paxton – village visited due to name connection with guests’ surname (“Paxton”)
- Anglesey Abbey – stately home and gardens near Cambridge (not actually an abbey nor on Anglesey)
- Windsor – a royal town just west of London, home to Windsor Castle
- Virginia Water – village near Windsor, used as a London access base
- Marlow – town on the River Thames (previous trip)
- Henley-on-Thames – Thames-side town noted for rowing (previous trip)
- Shrewsbury – historic market town in Shropshire (previous trip)
- Chester – walled city in Cheshire with timber-framed buildings (previous trip)
- Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s birthplace and historic town in Warwickshire (previous trip)
- Alnwick (pronounced “Annick”) – market town in Northumberland (previous trip; site of Treehouse restaurant)
- John O’Groats – northernmost point of mainland Scotland (previous trip)
- Inverness – city in the Scottish Highlands (previous trip)
- Pitlochry – town in Perthshire, Scotland (previous trip; near House of Bruar)
- Orkney Islands – Scottish island group accessed via tour from John O’Groats (previous trip)
- Northumberland – county with the most English castles and Roman sites (future trip plans)
- Lake District – national park in northwest England (future trip plans)
- York – historic city in northern England (future trip plans)
- London – capital city of the UK (multiple visits; sites mentioned include Euston, St Pancras, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, British Museum, British Library, Churchill War Rooms, Imperial War Museum, Buckingham Palace, Soho)
- Paris – French capital, day-trip from London via Eurostar (previous trip)
- Avebury – site of Neolithic stone circles (previous trip)
Foods
- Scotch eggs – hard- or soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs, then fried or baked
- Pasties – baked pastry, typically filled with meat and vegetables, especially popular in Cornwall
- Fish and chips – a classic British dish with battered fried fish and potato fries
- Gammon steak and chips – ham steak served with fries
- Sticky toffee pudding – dessert made with dates and toffee sauce
- Shortbread – traditional Scottish buttery biscuit, often sold at gift shops
Words / Concepts
- Fiat 500 – an iconic small Italian car, which Merry and Chris rent for UK road trips
- VE Day – Victory in Europe Day, commemorated in Plymouth during the trip
- Stone circles – prehistoric monuments, like the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor
- Neolithic – relating to the late Stone Age, reference for ancient sites visited
- Roman ruins – remnants of Roman civilisation, found in towns and neighbourhoods
- Punting – riding in a flat-bottomed boat, especially on the River Cam in Cambridge
- NC500 – North Coast 500, famous Scottish driving route (previous trip)
- Rabbies Tours– small-group Scottish tour company (previous trip)
Related content on UK Travel Planning and London Travel Planning
Podcasts
- Episode 82 – Trip Report with Tanya Munro [Insider Tips, Memorable Moments, and Unexpected Discoveries]
- Episode 138 – Exploring London’s Iconic Sights with Discover Real London’s Black Cab Tours
- Episode 44 – Coasting Around Cornwall: Tales and Tips from our 7-Day Road Trip Adventure
