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Routes

LNER

Season 3 of Routes is here - join Jenni Falconer and some well-known faces as we explore what travel means to them. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to listen to now with guests including Mel B, Sam Heughan, James Martin, Self Esteem, Stephen Mangan, Craig David, Suzi Ruffell, Tom Grennan and many more!

From wild adventures to chill getaways, join Jenni for laid-back, meaningful and humorous conversations.

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26 episodes
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Tuesday · 40 min
Jay Rayner: Fine Dining, Rail Journeys and a Secret Jazz Life
Restaurant critic, author and Kitchen Cabinet host Jay Rayner joins Jenni on Routes from LNER as they travel to Newcastle, trading stories about food, trains and life on the road. Jay explains how decades of criss-crossing the country by rail earned him a surprising nickname on set, and looks back on the eccentric childhood holidays that shaped his love of travel. He revisits a legendary summer spent Interrailing across Europe, and shares the personal rules he lives by as one of Britain's most read restaurant critics... including why he always turns down a freebie. Plus: the secret to a stress-free dinner party, a picnic that caused an unlikely stir online, cooking with a Hollywood star, and the philosophy that's guided his search for great food across the country. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
September 8 · 7 min
The Quiet Coach: Wildlife, DJ Dreams and Finding Calm with Victoria Pendleton
Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton joins Jenni on this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER to talk about the music that keeps her moving, the food that keeps her fuelled, and the mindset that keeps her calm on the road. From a lifelong love affair with one very special destination to the packing habits of a self-confessed "overactive venture scout," it's a warm, wide-ranging chat about what travel really means to her. Victoria opens up about how her tastes shift depending on the moment, one playlist for pushing hard, another for switching off completely, and the small rituals and essentials she never leaves home without, honed over years of life on the move. She also reflects on the restlessness that keeps her chasing the next adventure rather than sitting still, and why, wherever she ends up, she's learned not to sweat the delays. It's a relaxed, honest conversation about finding balance between drive and downtime, on and off the track. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
September 1 · 39 min
Victoria Pendleton: Cycling, Cheltenham and Conquering Fear
Double Olympic gold medallist and nine-time world champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton joins Jenni on Routes from LNER to talk about a life built on chasing new challenges. Victoria traces her journey from touring the UK on the back of her dad's tandem to racing across five continents, and reflects on the surprising imposter syndrome that shadowed her right up to becoming world champion. She opens up about two of her boldest post-cycling pursuits — training to become an amateur jump jockey at Cheltenham in under a year, and an attempt on Everest that tested her in ways she didn't expect. Victoria also shares how writing her new book, The Fear Opportunity, became an unexpected form of therapy following the loss of her twin brother, and why she believes stepping outside our comfort zones is one of the most important things we can do. Plus: skydiving on her first holiday as a couple, surfing in the Algarve, and the story of the day her dad accidentally ended up on a train to Peterborough. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
August 25 · 11 min
The Quiet Coach: Canada Dreams, Passport Panic & Pringles with Alfie Watts
Race Across the World winner and self-confessed adventurer Alfie Watts joins Jenni on this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER to share the snacks, tracks and hacks that fuel his life on the move. Expect a firm stance on the age-old Pringles-versus-Haribo debate, a very specific idea of what his 100th country needs to be, and the truth behind a passport story that isn't quite what it first seems. Alfie also opens up about the song that instantly takes him back to the trip that changed everything, plus a heartfelt reflection on why, after 3,500 miles by tuk tuk for mental health charity YoungMinds, nothing beats coming home to the UK. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
August 18 · 40 min
Alfie Watts: Tuk-Tuks, Backpacking and Visiting 96 Countries
At just 23, Alfie Watts has visited 96 countries, become the youngest ever winner of BBC's Race Across the World, and driven a tuk-tuk over 3,500 miles from London to Norway's North Cape for charity. He joins Jenni to talk about how travel transformed his life, from a disastrous first flight to Barcelona at 13, to a life-changing trip to Croatia that opened his eyes to how accessible the world could be. Alfie shares stories from his tuk-tuk adventure, including being challenged to a race by a Dutch police officer, and reflects on his time on Race Across the World with best friend Owen. He also opens up about his work with mental health charity YoungMinds, and why he's now touring UK schools to show young people that travel is more attainable than they think. From Petra at sunrise to a surprisingly pink sunset in Aruba, Alfie takes Jenni through some of his most unforgettable travel moments, plus a surprising confession about his secret love for Tenerife. Adventurous, honest and full of energy, this is a conversation about chasing the unknown and finding home in unexpected places. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
August 11 · 10 min
The Quiet Coach: Healthy Snacks, 90s R&B and Mosquitos with Dr. Amir Khan
Dr. Amir Khan takes Jenni through his essential travel toolkit in this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER, covering the snacks, tracks and hacks that get him through life on the road. On the food front, Amir shares his love of air-fried chickpeas and reveals his mum's habit of packing enough home-cooked kebabs and samosas to feed the whole train carriage. Musically, he's an unashamed devotee of 90s R&B, and tells the story of once storming the stage at a TLC concert, determined to be serenaded by Chilli, only to be rugby-tackled by security along the way. There's also a genuinely useful tip for anyone who gets eaten alive by mosquitoes on holiday, plus a confession about the time he nearly missed a flight in South Africa after squeezing in an airport massage.
August 4 · 34 min
Dr. Amir Khan: Heritage, Healthcare and a Life Well-Travelled
From a childhood trip to Pakistan met by fifty excited relatives to a middle-of-the-night bear encounter in the Canadian Rockies, Dr. Amir Khan's life has been shaped by family, adventure and the pull of travel. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the GP and broadcaster joins Jenni on the train to Bradford to talk about growing up as the only boy among six sisters, why Yorkshire will always be home, and the trips that have stayed with him. Amir reflects on his father's three-week bus journey from Pakistan to the UK, long before Amir himself made the trip and was welcomed with flower garlands and endless home-cooked meals by relatives he'd never met. He shares stories of backpacking through Central and South America during his medical elective, and working as a GP in the same Bradford community he grew up in. There's plenty of talk about switching off too, from early starts on the LNER to London and his devotion to seat L13, to recent holidays in Mallorca and a bucket-list dream of tracing the Silk Route through Kazakhstan. Amir also opens up about the volunteer medical work in Malawi that humbled him, his love of running before sunrise, and why, no matter how far he travels, he could never live more than 40 minutes from his mum. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
July 28 · 15 min
The Quiet Coach: Comfort, Crisps and Community with Andi Oliver
From glaring at a stranger on a bus only to realise the music was coming from her own bag, to travelling with a flask of homemade broth, Andi Oliver joins Jenni Falconer on The Quiet Coach to talk snacks, self-care and the art of staying comfortable on the move. She explains her strong feelings about loudspeaker phone calls in the quiet coach, and why she's perfected a proper travel food routine after one too many sandwiches on tour. Andi also opens up about her love of tracksuits and layers, her go-to playlists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Rachmaninoff, and her habit of working through entire TV series and audiobooks on long journeys. There's talk of her stout-braised oxtail pie collaboration, her years filming Great British Menu, and a shared appreciation for finding snacks nobody else in the family likes. Warm, funny and full of personality, this is a conversation about comfort, curiosity, and making the most of time spent travelling. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
July 21 · 39 min
Andi Oliver: Food, Heritage and Finding Herself
From childhood summers in Cyprus to a life-changing three-month stay in Antigua at sixteen, chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver has spent her life following food, family and heritage across the globe. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Andi joins Jenni on the train to Edinburgh to talk about growing up between cultures, the touring years that shaped her twenties, and why travel has always been tied to her sense of home. Andi reflects on the childhood that took her from Kent to an outdoor life in Limassol, and the trip to Antigua as a teenager that reconnected her with her Caribbean heritage and reshaped how she saw herself in the world. She shares stories of touring Europe by train in her late teens as part of the band Rip Rig + Panic, becoming a young mum at twenty, and the deep bond with her best friend Nana that began with a hospital visit and a shared cigarette. There's plenty of talk about food too, plus the recent trip to Malawi with WaterAid that left a lasting impression on her. Andi also opens up about her dream of running a beach bar in Antigua, annual family holidays with her daughter, and why she believes everyone should travel alone at least once in their life. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
July 14 · 9 min
The Quiet Coach: Overpacking, Summer Gigs and Mistaken Identity with Chesney Hawkes
From packing three suitcases at once for a cruise, a band tour and a Portugal getaway, to letting his wife always face forward on trains, Chesney Hawkes joins Jenni Falconer on The Quiet Coach to talk travel, timing and the occasional case of mistaken identity. He explains why he always heads for the quiet coach, and why punctuality matters so much to him. Chesney also shares the story of his mum's ringtone causing a scene in the middle of TK Maxx, and opens up about being a self-confessed stress-packer who somehow still manages to overpack shoes he never wears. In the "Snacks, Tracks & Hacks" segment, he reveals why hydration always comes first, how his wife keeps him stocked with healthy snacks, and why his train listening leans more towards political podcasts than his own back catalogue. Plus, there's talk of his new album Living Arrows and a big local moment headlining The Long Walk Live in Windsor alongside Right Said Fred. Warm, funny and full of nostalgia, this is a conversation about staying grounded and never quite escaping The One and Only. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
July 7 · 34 min
Chesney Hawkes: The One and Only, Touring and Raising Kids
From childhood summers on the beaches of the Algarve to chasing the Northern Lights on songwriting trips to Iceland, Chesney Hawkes has spent a lifetime shaped by movement, music and the road. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the singer joins Jenni on the train to Dundee to talk about growing up in a rock 'n' roll household, the whirlwind of pop stardom, and why travel has always fed his creativity. Chesney reflects on a childhood surrounded by musicians, from learning piano on an instrument once owned by John Lennon to stepping over sleeping guests to get to the cereal cupboard. He shares memories of running wild as a "feral kid" during long family holidays in Portugal, and traces his journey from a first gig in a Brownie hut to starring alongside Roger Daltrey in Buddy's Song, the film that led to his breakout single "The One and Only" in 1991. There's plenty of talk about travel too, from backpacking around the Seychelles and falling for the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland, to family trips to the Maldives and the Bahamas, and taking each of his three children on one-on-one holidays around Europe. Chesney also opens up about touring life, favourite haunts in Berlin and Munich, dropping his daughter off at St Andrews, and the renewed success of his latest album, Living Arrows, which has brought him back to Radio 2's A-list more than thirty years after his first hit. lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/podcast/
July 2 · 47 sec
Season 3 of Routes from LNER is coming
We’re back! Season 3 of Routes with LNER is arriving soon and we’ve saved you a seat. Join Jenni Falconer for another season of incredible guests, who have the travel stories to prove that the journey really is everything. Whether it’s a holiday that went hilariously wrong, a destination that completely changed how they see the world, or a journey they’ll never forget for all the right (and wrong) reasons, this season has it all. So if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and make sure you don’t miss a single stop. Routes from LNER. Season 3 arrives at your platform July 7th. To find out more about our guests incredible journeys, head to lner.co.uk/routespodcast
April 7 · 19 min
The Quiet Coach: Hot Air Balloons, Travel Mishaps and New Beginnings with Matty Lee
From sunrise hot air balloons over Marrakesh to leaving his Nintendo behind on his very first family holiday, Olympic gold medallist Matty Lee joins Jenni Falconer on The Quiet Coach to share stories from a life shaped by travel, competition and big moments. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Matty reflects on how travel has changed since retiring from diving, from fast-paced trips across Thailand to slower, more relaxed journeys closer to home. He shares what it’s like seeing the world without the pressure of competition, and why some of his most memorable experiences come from the simplest moments, like a peaceful sunrise high above the Atlas Mountains. The conversation also explores the realities of elite sport, including the mental side of competing, the nerves that come with performing on the world stage, and how those experiences helped shape his path to Olympic gold. Along the way, Matty opens up about family, early travel memories, and the moments that stuck with him long after the medals. Plus, in the “Snacks, Tracks & Hacks” segment, he reveals his go-to train snacks, why podcasts help journeys fly by, and the travel essentials he now swears by. From rolling clothes to noise-cancelling headphones and a game-changing eye mask. Relaxed, honest and full of personality, this is a warm conversation about slowing down, looking back, and finding a new rhythm after sport.
March 31 · 46 min
Matty Lee: Olympic Gold, World Travels and Life After Diving
Olympic gold medallist diver Matty Lee joins Jenny Falconer on this episode of Routes from LNER, reflecting on a life that’s taken him from local swimming pools in Leeds to the very top of the Olympic podium. Matty shares the journey from discovering diving as a kid, following in his brother’s footsteps, to competing on the world stage alongside athletes he once idolised. He opens up about the realities behind elite sport, from intense competition nerves and working with sports psychologists to the discipline required to perform under pressure, and the moment he realised it was time to step away from the sport at just 26. The conversation also dives into life beyond diving: adjusting to retirement, rediscovering a love for travel, and swapping global competitions for quieter UK getaways. From team trips across the world and missed flight upgrades after Tokyo, to wholesome countryside escapes, Matty reflects on what travel means to him now. Plus, he shares stories of receiving his medal from the King, the one moment he regrets not saying hello on a train, and why sometimes doing nothing at all is exactly what you need.
March 24 · 13 min
The Quiet Coach: Private Islands, Shark Sightings, and Sushi on Trains with Jack Savoretti
From spending younger years on a remote island in the Bahamas to sneaking sushi onto trains, Jack Savoretti joins Jenni Falconer on The Quiet Coach to share a vivid, funny and unexpectedly reflective look at life on the move. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Jack opens up about his earliest travel memories, including months spent living off-grid with no electricity, crossing moonlit waters by boat, and encountering everything from dolphins to sharks in the sea. The conversation explores how those formative experiences shaped his love of travel, and why the Bahamas still holds a special, almost mythical place in his life. Jack reflects on how travel has changed over time, the rising cost of returning to meaningful places, and the desire to share those memories with his own children. They also dive into the show’s “Snacks, Tracks & Hacks” segment, where Jack reveals his go-to travel ritual (thanks to his daughter), the one album he always returns to on a train journey, and an unusual tip involving crystallised eucalyptus that he swears by for staying well on the road. Warm, nostalgic and full of rich storytelling, this is a relaxed conversation about adventure, perspective, and finding calm. Whether you’re on a train, on an island, or back where it all began.
March 17 · 42 min
Jack Savoretti: Italian Roots, Tour Tales and the Royal Albert Hall
From interrailing across Europe with a gang of friends as a teen, to celebrating twenty years in music at the Royal Albert Hall, Jack Savoretti’s life has been shaped by movement, culture and connection. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the singer-songwriter joins Jenni to talk about the journeys that influenced him, his love of train travel, and why Newcastle will always hold a special place in his heart. Jack reflects on growing up between cultures, with an Italian father, an English mother, and childhood years spent at an international school in Switzerland surrounded by classmates from every corner of the world. He shares stories of weekend escapes to Florence and Venice as a teenager, the chaos of 90’s interrailing trips where plans fell apart and friends disappeared along the way, and how those early adventures sparked a lifelong love of trains and travelling without a fixed destination. There’s also plenty of talk about family life on the road, from cooking competitive batches of homemade pesto with his kids to the emotional experience of taking his daughter on her first trip abroad. Jack opens up about reconnecting with his Italian roots while making music, how travel feeds his songwriting, and why cities like Athens and Marrakech continue to inspire him. Expect stories about slipping on stage, furniture hunting in tour cities, Italian superstitions, and the simple magic of seeing the world pass by from a train window.
March 10 · 15 min
The Quiet Coach: Japan Stories, Lost Cuddly Toys and Language Barriers with James Haskell
Host Jenni Falconer welcomes former England rugby international turned DJ James Haskell aboard the Quiet Coach in this episode of Routes from LNER. From the unwritten rules of the quiet carriage to the realities of life spent travelling the world for rugby, James shares stories from the road and reflects on the experiences that have shaped him beyond the pitch. The conversation explores James’s time living abroad, including his stint in Japan and the culture shocks that come with adapting to a completely different language and way of life. He and Jenni discuss how travel can broaden your perspective, the places that leave a lasting impression, and how looking back on old memories can sometimes feel like revisiting someone else’s life. They also dive into the show’s “Snacks, Tracks & Hacks” segment, where James reveals his go-to travel snacks, what he listens to on long journeys, and the little tips that make travelling easier. Along the way, Jenni shares a hilarious parenting travel story about a missing cuddly toy that turned into a full-scale family mission to replace it.
March 3 · 46 min
James Haskell: Pro Rugby, Ibiza DJ Sets & Dad Life
What happens when a 6ft4 former England rugby star swaps the pitch for the DJ booth and somehow ends up sharing a bath with Madonna? On this episode of Routes from LNER, James Haskell joins Jenni Falconer for a brilliantly unpredictable journey to Edinburgh, packed with sharp humour and seriously good stories. James looks back at life playing international rugby, his years living in France near the Champs-Élysées, and the cultural curveballs that come with competing around the world. He shares what touring Scotland really feels like as an England player, why travel gives him rare moments of quiet, and how the Australian jungle tested him during I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2019. Now an international DJ and heading into a new chapter on Celebs Go Dating, James talks about life after elite sport, performing to thousands, fatherhood, and building a second career in the public eye. Funny, frank and consistently surprising, this is a conversation that goes far beyond rugby, and proves reinvention can be just as competitive as the game itself.
February 24 · 21 min
The Quiet Coach: Taking Risks, Finding Television, and Never Growing Up with Leigh Francis
From secretly filming sketches in the art department to turning up at TV meetings in full character, this week’s Quiet Coach guest has never taken the conventional route. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down with comedian, actor, artist and podcaster Leigh Francis for a funny, chaotic and surprisingly honest chat about creativity, confidence and carving out a career by backing yourself, even when no one else quite understands what you’re doing. From missing out on art college to becoming a senior graphic designer drawing crocodiles on demand, Leigh shares how eight years of graft (and a lot of dressing up) led to his big break. There are brilliant behind-the-scenes stories about inventing his characters, where Leigh speaks about living by the motto “Don’t grow up, it’s a trap,” why he still spends his downtime sewing, sculpting and building green-screen studios in his loft, and how proud he feels bringing wife Jill into the spotlight on their podcast, Unlikely Friends. It’s a candid look at ego, insecurity, hard work and the joy of still loving what you do. Plus, as always, we get into snacks, tracks and hacks, including five-pound Mini Gems from WHSmith, accidental double breakfasts in first class, a loft full of abandoned travel pillows, and the unforgettable moment he forgot his ESTA and ended up flying to Florida with nothing but a backpack. Warm, self-deprecating and packed with laugh-out-loud moments, this is a relaxed and revealing conversation about staying playful, taking risks, and never quite doing things the normal way.
February 17 · 34 min
Leigh Francis: Leeds Beginnings, Comedy Chaos & Keith Lemon
From Leeds beginnings and Bridlington beach trips to Halloween weddings and first overseas adventures, Leigh Francis’s life off-screen is as colourful as the characters he’s created. In this episode of Routes, Leigh joins Jenni to talk about growing up in Yorkshire, the chaotic comedy worlds of Celebrity Juice and Bo’ Selecta, and how his childhood shaped his sense of humour. He reflects on early travel experiences, static caravan holidays, and his first drunken friend holiday abroad, which set the tone for a lifetime of hilarious misadventures. Leigh shares stories that are equal parts funny and heartfelt, from carrying a life-size Howard the Duck on the train to visiting his favourite locations from Back to the Future, and the time he met Pharrell while wearing the same hat. He talks about family road trips through Whitby, the joy of Comic‑Con cosplay, and the creative process behind iconic characters like Keith Lemon. Along the way, there’s laughter, nostalgia, and genuine insight into the experiences that fuel his comedy. He also opens up about life on the road, being recognised (or not!) around the world, and the special journeys he’s shared with his wife and kids. Whether it’s memories of seaside arcades, discovering the magic of Disney on honeymoon, or everyday family life, this episode is a silly, personal, and unfiltered look at the laughs, travel tales, and roots that have made Leigh who he is.

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