Episode 195 How to Plan an Accessible UK Trip

In episode 195 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy chats with Laura Dilts, who first appeared in episode #173 to share the highlights of her trip to London and Scotland. This time, we’re going behind the scenes of that same adventure to talk about something that matters deeply to so many of you: how to plan and prepare for a UK trip when you have mobility or health challenges.

Laura travels with a back injury that makes standing for long periods painful, and she approached her trip with impressive thoroughness, researching attractions, trains and transport options more than a year in advance, building in flexibility at every stage, and always having a plan A, B and C. Her story isn’t about limitations. It’s about preparation, self-advocacy, and going on to have an absolutely brilliant time.

We cover how Laura assessed iconic sites like the Tower of London and Edinburgh Castle for accessibility before she travelled, why she found London’s buses far more practical than the Tube, and how the UK’s Passenger Assistance Service made her long train journeys, including a five-and-a-half-hour trip to Scotland in first class, genuinely enjoyable. We also talk honestly about what didn’t go smoothly, including a stressful transfer at Heathrow, and what she’d do differently next time.

Whether you’re travelling with a mobility challenge yourself, planning a trip alongside someone who is, or simply want to feel better prepared for any eventuality, there’s so much in this conversation for you.

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