February 25, 2025 • 20 mins
In episode 138 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, join Tracy as she reconnects with Ollie from Discover Real London Black Cab Tours. This episode takes you on a journey through the unique experiences offered by Ollie's team, including the popular Touchdown and Layover tours, as well as the exciting new Ted Lasso tour.
Discover why exploring London in a black cab is a memorable way to see the city, with Ollie sharing glowing reviews from satisfied travellers who have enjoyed their tours.
Learn about the innovative Touchdown Tour, designed to whisk you from Heathrow into the heart of London within minutes of your arrival, allowing you to capture iconic sights like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Ollie also discusses the flexibility of their tours and how they cater to individual preferences, ensuring a personalised adventure.
The episode also highlights the Layover Tour, perfect for those with a few hours to spare between flights, allowing you to explore London without the stress of airport confinement. As Ollie shares insights about the classic tours and the hidden gems of the city, listeners will be inspired to consider a black cab tour for their next visit.
Don't miss out on the chance to learn about the new Ted Lasso tour, which takes fans to key filming locations around Richmond. Tune in for an engaging conversation that will enhance your travel planning and inspire your next trip to London.
⭐️ Guest - Oliver Crane from Discover Real London
📝 Show Notes - Episode 138
🎧 Listen to next
- Episode 86 – London Like a Local: Unmissable Black Cab Tours with Discover Real London
- Episode 105 – Top 10 London Experiences for 2024: Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Adventure
- Episode 135 – Discovering London’s WWII Legacy: Essential Sites and Tours
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ever wondered what makes touring London in a black
cab so special?
In episode 138 of the UK TravelPlanner Podcast, I chat with
Ollie from Discover Real Londonabout their unique tours,
including the Touchdown andLayover tours, the London D-Tour
and the exciting new Ted Lassotour.
We also dive into the glowingreviews Ollie and his team have
received and why exploringLondon in a black cab offers an
(00:23):
unforgettable experience.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
tracy Collins.
In this podcast, tracy sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
(00:46):
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Eastside, Towns.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Hi everybody and welcome to episode 138 of the UK
Travel Planner Podcast.
Now this week I am very excitedto catch up with Oli from
Discover Real London Black CabTours, who I last spoke to in
episode 86, which is, I think,around about 12 months ago,
which is crazy.
Now, in that time Oli and hiscompany have taken loads of you
(01:27):
guys from our Facebook group ontours of London and the feedback
we have had has been absolutelyfabulous.
So some examples had our blackcab tour today with Discovery of
London, recommended by Tracy.
It was amazing.
Recommend this company Reviewfor a touchdown tour, which I
know Ollie's going to talk aboutin a second Amazing tour,
(01:47):
amazing guide would highlyrecommend.
And those are just a couple ofthem.
We had an amazing review fromFaye Dupreez a few weeks ago in
the Facebook group, basicallyjust saying how amazing the tour
was, how she was encouragingeverybody at the book and she
just had a fabulous, fabuloustime.
(02:10):
So I will actually put a copyof Faye's review in the show
notes because it's quite a longone but it is fabulous.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
So hello, ollie, welcome back to the podcast
Hello Tracey, thank you forhaving me again.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
It's great to catch up with you, and I thought what
we would do is have a chat abouthow things are in terms of 2025
.
What have you got planned interms of your tours and what can
visitors expect?
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Well, good question.
We've got lots going on here inLondon.
It's so lovely to hear some ofthe kind words that some of your
group members and podcastlisteners have left on our
reviews.
It's been lovely to welcomethem all here.
So thanks so much for helpingus promote what we do in our
lovely city in London.
Yeah, it was a great year andwe're going to build on all the
(02:50):
success and the great thingsthat we've got going on into
this year.
And, aside from the usual bigtours and stuff, I want to focus
today actually on one of thefirst things that your members
and your listeners are going tobe doing.
When they get off the plane,they're going to be arriving at
London Heathrow most likely, andone of the tours that I
(03:11):
wouldn't say.
It's completely unexpected thatit's been so successful,
because I always saw the meritin it and thought it was a
really great idea.
But we've got a tour called thetouchdown tour and that is a
tour that gets you going as soonas you hit UK soil.
So, um, jump off the plane,grab your luggage.
We all know it can be a bit of adrama getting into into London
(03:33):
or any town from any bigterminal.
Um, but we take all the stressout of that way.
So our driver will meet andgreet you in the terminal and
then you are whisked off intocentral London and you literally
can start your tour within youknow, minutes of starting the UK
.
He's going to give you somegreat commentary on the way in
and things like that, but youknow, you're in the action.
(03:53):
Normally in an hour You're upand running.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
So what sort of things can visitors expect to do
the touchdown tour Oli?
Speaker 3 (04:09):
So we're obviously as you know, tracy, from coming on
a little ride with us alreadyand from all the feedback you've
been getting our tours arereally flexible.
So we're always willing totailor, make it to our guests
needs.
But if you just book a generictouchdown tour and it's your
first visit to London, we'regoing to focus on all the big
sites.
So we're going to be coming infrom West London down the Infor.
We're going to be in probablybig.
First big sites going to beBuckingham.
The info we're going to behitting probably um big.
First big site's going to bebuckingham palace.
Um, you're going to get achance to jump out, get some
great photos, remember, you'veprobably got.
(04:30):
I've been off a plane two hoursmaybe, um, and you're already
literally in front of um, one ofthe most famous palaces in the
world.
From there we'll normallyprobably head down to
westminster.
We're going to see the house ofparliament.
We're going see WestminsterAbbey.
You're going to be stretchingyour legs, remember.
So, listeners that may not betoo familiar with what our tours
do and they're all private,that all the city tours are all
(04:51):
in panoramic back taxis, we, sixseats, six guests as standard,
but they're very engaging and weencourage the interaction with
the city, so we'll be stoppingon our specially designed
restaurants and things like thatand our parking spaces having a
little walk around.
Our guides are always happy totake pictures of you.
So I know what it's like beinga family on holiday.
(05:14):
I've got four young kids and ifI go away for 10 days and I get
three or four good photos withmy wife and all my kids, I'm
delighted.
So I know how important it isbuilding those memories for what
some people.
It's going to be a trip of alifetime.
You might never be coming backto London, so we'll be getting
some nice photos and our guidesare all.
Our driver guides are allqualified, so they're going to
be giving you the lowdown on whythis location's really
(05:37):
important, the history behind itand obviously some cool, fun,
quirky facts as well.
You're quirky facts as well.
You're going to have someluggage on board.
If you're coming from theairport, most likely a lot of
people generally are staying tothe west side of the city
because you've got Mayfair,you've got Pimlico, bayswater,
st James's and lots of othercentral locations.
So on route, quite often we'lldo a bag drop, which that
(05:58):
enables you if you guys, let'ssay you do a red eye flight
transatlantic overnight.
You land at 7amm.
You know you're in the cab at,let's say, half eight by the
time you've got your luggagereclaimed.
Your room is not going to beready till two in the afternoon,
so you can drop off yourluggage at the reception of the
hotel or, if you've got accessto whatever accommodation you're
staying in, and you cancontinue the tour throughout the
(06:19):
morning, finish early afternoon, you can have lunch and then
you can go and do whatever youwant before you go back to the
hotel.
You don't have to finish backthere.
So it really really opens thedoor to really getting the most
out of that first day in thatintroduction to the city.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
And how long can those tours be, ollie?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Well, we, if someone wanted to do whatever time, we'd
obviously consider it.
But our standard times are fivehours and that that includes
the transfer in.
So normally your transfer in isgoing to be about an hour and
then you're going to have therest of the tour with your guide
.
Sometimes things can go wrongwhen people are flying into
London.
As a company we always absorbthe first hour.
(06:58):
So if you're delayed for justone hour landing, then you're
still going to get your wholefive hours after that.
If you, if you're two or threehours, then it needs to be taken
from the tour.
The guide has his, has his, hashis day set out and we need to
obviously ensure that, um, thathe's covered.
But, um, you know, we always dorecommend travel insurance.
(07:19):
If the worst happens, um, andyour flight's cancelled, then
obviously you've got theinsurance to fall back on.
But touch wood it is.
It is rare that we we get majordelays, but obviously, like
anything with big transport,then it can happen.
But all going well, like itnormally does.
Then you get five hoursincluding the transfer.
So, yeah, after, this is thenormal route we take, so we do
westminster and then Quite oftenpeople might need a little
(07:43):
caffeine injection or a snack.
So we're always willing to stopsomewhere that we'll recommend
locally.
They're making a grab, a pastryor coffee or something like
that.
Then off we go.
We'll aim to cover Tower ofLondon, tower Bridge, st Paul's
Cathedral, to cap off the restof the big sites and all going
well.
You have a bit of spare time aswell.
That's when our guides willreally leave their mark mark on
(08:04):
this tour because, as you say,they're going to profile it to
their guests on board.
So if we've got youngsters, wemight do chucking a couple of
harry potter sites or do a bitof street art, something like
that.
If we've got someone that's gota certain profession maybe, you
know, you're a retired lawyer,you've got another interest or a
connection to to the uk we'regoing to start lean it towards
that we might have a look at,you know, the royal courts of
(08:25):
justice or something like that.
Every tour is a little bitdifferent, depends on, you know,
traffic, time of day, thecustomer on board and any
special requests.
So so I suppose the message totake away is that if you, if
you've looked at our site andyou think that some of the tours
are really interesting, butyou've got a special request,
then just just drop us a message.
Your your email is likely to beum open by myself.
(08:48):
Either way.
There's no.
There's no bots, or or ai andall that stuff.
We're all humans here.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
That's going to answer it, so we'll give you an
accurate answer and you know, ifit's something special, then
we'll advise you on what youneed to know about it before we
send you a bespoke invoiceperfect and there's something
special about traveling aroundand exploring london in a black
cab and you have advantages overother ways of getting around as
well, the fact that you cankind of zip along the bus lanes
and all sorts, it's.
(09:14):
It's a fabulous way to traveland just a wonderful
introduction to london yeah,it's um, people are really
really enjoy that some.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Sometimes we get some inquiries that, um, people are,
you know, inquisitive aboutwill we be sitting in traffic
for for hours, and things likethat for my listeners or for
listeners to your podcast aroundthe world.
They may not know that the caball our drivers study for years
to to get their medallions, soit takes, on average, between
three and four years, so theyhave a super um in-depth
(09:42):
knowledge of all the little backstreets and rat runs in the
city anyway.
But on top of that you're right, tracy we have lots of
privileges like bus lanes wherewe can be on one side of the
road in our own dedicated lanejust with buses and motorcycles,
and we can cruise past all ofthe traffic and that may be
queuing for a red light.
We even have our own lightssometimes as well.
So we do like to say we're thefastest cars in London.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Oh, and I think you are definitely, so that's a
great introduction to thetouchdown tours.
Now let's talk about thelayover tours.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
Yeah.
So London being, you know, oneof the gateways into Europe, a
lot of our clients are going onto do a European itinerary, so
they maybe start with London,then they're going to Paris,
amsterdam, milan, etc.
And they might literally bestopping off in London for an
eight-hour layover, whicheveryone knows airports aren't
(10:33):
the most exciting places to befor that length of time.
So another popular tour that'sreally gained a lot of momentum
throughout the last couple ofyears is our layover tours.
So if you are stopped atHeathrow for maybe seven, eight,
nine, ten hours, then thiscould be a fantastic option for
you.
So we'll basically meet andgreet you in the terminal when
(10:53):
you come out into arrivals.
With layover tours, usually yourluggage carries on in transit,
so you don't even have your bagsand stuff, and then we will zip
you into town and take you on awhirlwind adventure of the city
in whatever time you haveallocated um.
The tours are sold online, um,and they allocate.
They allow up to six hours, um,but obviously you can make it
(11:13):
respect if you're there for like12 hours and you want more.
Maybe you want to go inside amuseum but you want our driver
to wait for you outside whileyou do something or have lunch.
You know everything is, we cancustomize everything.
But, um, yeah, that is afantastic way really of getting
london for free, because you'vegot that layover anyway, um, and
we will get you up close andpersonal with all the sites.
(11:34):
We'll get pictures of you there.
It'll look like you've been ona vacation, um, if you, if you
bring a change, a few changes toclose, it'll look like you've
been there for a whole weekend.
Um, because we will reallyreally make the most of um of
your time here and then straightback to the airport.
Um, another option that we'vehad as well, because people are
obviously building their ownflights and itineraries to an
extent as well, a lot of thetime um is you can fly into one
(11:55):
airport and out of another.
There may be a supplement topay on the usual price because
it's priced um for londonheathrow, which is the nearest.
But we've had lots of tourswhere a couple's coming in from
the USA.
They're landing at Heathrow atseven in the morning, they're
flying out of Gatwick at nine,at nine pm that night.
So they've enjoyed with theirluggage in the cab the whole day
in London and then been droppedat Gatwick.
(12:16):
So it really, really can bevery, very economical with your
time and make it all stress-freethat's brilliant.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
I mean, why wouldn't you want that?
I mean, I wish I could do thatin other cities around the world
.
When I've got you know layoverslike that, it's a great option,
rather than just sitting aroundin the airport all day wishing
I could explore a city.
It's a fabulous way to do it,and what a wonderful way to
explore London.
So what about the other toursthat you do?
Just briefly touch on the othertours that you offer, and then
and then I want to just talk alittle bit about your ted lasso
(12:45):
tour as well yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
So we've got all all the classic tours that you'd
expect the big sites tour.
We do a four, a six and aneight hour standard tours and,
as you can imagine, as the timegoes up and the duration
increases, the more in depthyou're going to learn about our
city.
So, um, the longer tours,they're going to go off the
beaten track a bit more.
Um, you're going to see um bitsof social history.
(13:08):
You're going to see the hiddengems that only locals know.
So you're really going to be onboard our cab with a local, um,
and he's going to show youlondon through his eyes.
Um, so that offers a reallyreally you know, memorable and
lasting impression of the city.
The big sites are obviouslysuper important.
That's why a lot of people arebooked to come to london, um, so
you really want to be coveringthem.
(13:29):
But when you get off the beatentrack and you start to see the
unexpected side of the citywhether it's the colorful
streets of notting hill, thefloating neighborhood of little
venice, um, and many otherlittle quirky places that are
unexpected, you didn't know, youwanted to see them, but when
you see them, you're very, verygrateful that you've had the
opportunity to be whisked in andout of these areas with a
really knowledgeable guard andlearn about why, the streets and
(13:52):
the history of the way they arethere.
So they're really good.
And the longer tours as well wewould certainly encourage.
If the change in the guard, forexample, is going on that day,
we would say you know, this isgoing to really offer you a nice
insight because we've got sixor eight hours together On the
four-hour tours.
If people request the changesof guard, we can do that as well
, but there's, you know,depending on pickup and stuff,
there's a lot to get to.
(14:12):
So our standard itinerary wewould probably just visit the
palace, because the issue withthe change of the guard is
because the palace is shut.
It's really really cool to see,but there's quite a lot of
walking involved and when youget out, because all the roads
inside the palace are closed,then sometimes it takes a bit of
time to get away from the area.
But, as I say, we are superflexible.
(14:32):
So anything you want, you justlet us know.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Perfect.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
And, yeah, we've got another great tour called the
London Detour that's becomingmore and more popular, where we
see the rise of TikTok,instagram and other platforms
where people are shining thelight on you know, hidden and
more intrepid things.
People's appetite for travel, Ithink, is changing where, yes,
they understand the merit andthe big stuff, but they actually
(14:57):
they're coming for theexperience a lot of the time,
not to necessarily tick thingsoff.
And the London Detour reallydoes show you pure hidden gems.
The London Detour really doesshow you pure hidden gems.
So I won't spoil the surprises,the sort of things we get up to
, but it'll be full ofunexpected secret streets and
and little quirky places andpeople really sit back.
They don't know what they'rereally going to see.
They just say you know, trust,your trust, your driver guide,
(15:17):
and off you go on a littleadventure.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
That's a lot of fun.
And Ted Lasso come on, you'vegot to tell us about Ted Lasso.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Ted Lasso.
We love a bit of Ted lasso here, um tracy.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
You may or may not know, though, that actually, if
you walk around the streets ofof the uk and ask people, do you
watch ted lasso, it's notactually a super watch program
in the uk, which is probablysurprising to a lot of your
listeners oh it's crazy, but inI know in the states and
certainly in australia, we lovedit and all my friends in
Australia love it and a lot ofour listeners from Australia and
America I can hear right noware just going believe, believe
because they will be total fansyeah, so I, ted Lasso, came onto
(15:54):
my radar.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
actually I didn't catch the first couple of series
when they came out, but it wasrequests from you know,
customers that are comingthrough your page and all over
the place, and they were.
Can we see some Ted Lasso stuff?
And I didn't know what it wasat first because me, like
everyone else, didn't watch itfrom the start.
But I did a bit of research andI of course, got into the
(16:15):
series, which I absolutely loved.
And, yeah, from then on Istarted looking and finding out
where the locations are and Ithought you know what this could
work as a tour.
So, yeah, we have got a TedLasso locations tour in the cab,
which is wonderful.
It takes you out of town.
You stop at a few sites on theway, so the Taste of Athens
(16:35):
restaurant and Ola's restaurant,and then you head out to
Richmond where you'll visit thepub, you'll see where Ted lives,
you'll walk around the green,you'll see Rebecca's house,
you'll see where Nate's parentslives, and so on, um, and it's
really fun.
It's only um four hours.
So, despite being in Richmondbecause I say we've got the bus
lanes and stuff we can zip youout there and back um, all in
(16:56):
that time.
Um, so that's becoming reallypopular actually with Ted Lasso
fans and that's not a surprisebecause I know the appetite for
that.
You know, overseas and nowpeople are watching Ted Lasso a
lot in the UK and everyone's afan that watches it.
So I would urge, if anyonewants some homework after this
podcast, get yourself on anApple TV subscription and get on
(17:16):
the Ted Lasso train, becauseyou won't regret it oh no, it's
amazing.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It's, it's an absolutely fantastic show.
We were so sad when the lastseason ended.
We were like, no, it has tocome back.
We love it so much and I'm soglad that you're doing a Ted
Lasso tour Now.
Listeners, you're thinking thisis amazing.
We want to book with Ollie andhis team.
So, ollie, how can people getin touch with you?
Speaker 3 (17:37):
So you can book directly on our website.
All the tours are live for 2025.
And I think it probably goes tothe end of 2026 actually.
So if you're you know an earlybird and you're planning um, if
you book now for next year, thenyou're going to get 2025 prices
, um, which is always good, andthen you've obviously got that
that confirmed and you know whatyou're doing on that day.
(17:58):
Yeah, just click through.
It's super simple.
Um, please give Tracy and UKTravel planning a shout out.
So I really, really appreciateall the um, all the shout outs
they've me.
So definitely give them somelove on there if you listen and
you book.
But yeah, super easy.
And if you've got a bespokerequest, which lots of you do
you might want to go somewhere.
I'll give you a good example.
(18:18):
Actually, someone reached outto me last week and their
surname is the same as a town inthe middle of England, england,
and they want to go visit itand they actually have ancestors
from that area.
So we're just building anitinerary and we're going to see
stratford-on-avon, um, whilewe're up there.
So that's not a tour we usuallysell because it's a little bit
far from london, but you know,this family's got a special
(18:39):
request.
It's going to be a really,really special trip for them.
We're always happy toaccommodate requests where we
can, and normally we can alwaysfind a solution.
Our core business is the taxitours, but I've got a big
network of really talentedguides and services here, so
sometimes we can um, you know,collaborate with someone else
and make make something happen.
So you always feel free.
If you don't see what you wantexactly on the website, then get
(19:01):
in touch and we'll build yousomething that ticks the box,
I'm sure perfect.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Well, I'll put a link to your website on the show
notes for this episode.
But also, if you're in ourFacebook group, or if you're not
in our Facebook group, do joinit, because Olly is a member of
both our UK and our Londontravel plan and Facebook groups,
so do join there and check outthe show notes.
But it's been great, as always,to catch up with you, olly.
And but it's been great, asalways, to catch up with you,
(19:26):
ollie, and I'm hoping I'm goingto be able to see you soon in
London actually.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Yeah, fingers crossed , we'll have a little nice,
another little adventure in thecab.
Show you some more fun stuff.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Yeah, that'll be great and I'll put those photos
from our last trip into the shownotes as well and, as I say,
hopefully I'll catch up with yousoon in London.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
But it much Tracey Great to catch up with you and
to everyone listening.
We look forward to welcomingyou in New to London soon.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the
UK Travel Planning Podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode, but, as always
(20:19):
, that just leaves me to sayuntil next week happy UK travel
planning.
Ever wondered what makes touring London in a black
cab so special?
In episode 138 of the UK TravelPlanner Podcast, I chat with
Ollie from Discover Real Londonabout their unique tours,
including the Touchdown andLayover tours, the London D-Tour
and the exciting new Ted Lassotour.
We also dive into the glowingreviews Ollie and his team have
received and why exploringLondon in a black cab offers an
(00:23):
unforgettable experience.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
tracy Collins.
In this podcast, tracy sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
(00:46):
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Eastside, Towns.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Hi everybody and welcome to episode 138 of the UK
Travel Planner Podcast.
Now this week I am very excitedto catch up with Oli from
Discover Real London Black CabTours, who I last spoke to in
episode 86, which is, I think,around about 12 months ago,
which is crazy.
Now, in that time Oli and hiscompany have taken loads of you
(01:27):
guys from our Facebook group ontours of London and the feedback
we have had has been absolutelyfabulous.
So some examples had our blackcab tour today with Discovery of
London, recommended by Tracy.
It was amazing.
Recommend this company Reviewfor a touchdown tour, which I
know Ollie's going to talk aboutin a second Amazing tour,
(01:47):
amazing guide would highlyrecommend.
And those are just a couple ofthem.
We had an amazing review fromFaye Dupreez a few weeks ago in
the Facebook group, basicallyjust saying how amazing the tour
was, how she was encouragingeverybody at the book and she
just had a fabulous, fabuloustime.
(02:10):
So I will actually put a copyof Faye's review in the show
notes because it's quite a longone but it is fabulous.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
So hello, ollie, welcome back to the podcast
Hello Tracey, thank you forhaving me again.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
It's great to catch up with you, and I thought what
we would do is have a chat abouthow things are in terms of 2025
.
What have you got planned interms of your tours and what can
visitors expect?
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Well, good question.
We've got lots going on here inLondon.
It's so lovely to hear some ofthe kind words that some of your
group members and podcastlisteners have left on our
reviews.
It's been lovely to welcomethem all here.
So thanks so much for helpingus promote what we do in our
lovely city in London.
Yeah, it was a great year andwe're going to build on all the
(02:50):
success and the great thingsthat we've got going on into
this year.
And, aside from the usual bigtours and stuff, I want to focus
today actually on one of thefirst things that your members
and your listeners are going tobe doing.
When they get off the plane,they're going to be arriving at
London Heathrow most likely, andone of the tours that I
(03:11):
wouldn't say.
It's completely unexpected thatit's been so successful,
because I always saw the meritin it and thought it was a
really great idea.
But we've got a tour called thetouchdown tour and that is a
tour that gets you going as soonas you hit UK soil.
So, um, jump off the plane,grab your luggage.
We all know it can be a bit of adrama getting into into London
(03:33):
or any town from any bigterminal.
Um, but we take all the stressout of that way.
So our driver will meet andgreet you in the terminal and
then you are whisked off intocentral London and you literally
can start your tour within youknow, minutes of starting the UK
.
He's going to give you somegreat commentary on the way in
and things like that, but youknow, you're in the action.
(03:53):
Normally in an hour You're upand running.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
So what sort of things can visitors expect to do
the touchdown tour Oli?
Speaker 3 (04:09):
So we're obviously as you know, tracy, from coming on
a little ride with us alreadyand from all the feedback you've
been getting our tours arereally flexible.
So we're always willing totailor, make it to our guests
needs.
But if you just book a generictouchdown tour and it's your
first visit to London, we'regoing to focus on all the big
sites.
So we're going to be coming infrom West London down the Infor.
We're going to be in probablybig.
First big sites going to beBuckingham.
The info we're going to behitting probably um big.
First big site's going to bebuckingham palace.
Um, you're going to get achance to jump out, get some
great photos, remember, you'veprobably got.
(04:30):
I've been off a plane two hoursmaybe, um, and you're already
literally in front of um, one ofthe most famous palaces in the
world.
From there we'll normallyprobably head down to
westminster.
We're going to see the house ofparliament.
We're going see WestminsterAbbey.
You're going to be stretchingyour legs, remember.
So, listeners that may not betoo familiar with what our tours
do and they're all private,that all the city tours are all
(04:51):
in panoramic back taxis, we, sixseats, six guests as standard,
but they're very engaging and weencourage the interaction with
the city, so we'll be stoppingon our specially designed
restaurants and things like thatand our parking spaces having a
little walk around.
Our guides are always happy totake pictures of you.
So I know what it's like beinga family on holiday.
(05:14):
I've got four young kids and ifI go away for 10 days and I get
three or four good photos withmy wife and all my kids, I'm
delighted.
So I know how important it isbuilding those memories for what
some people.
It's going to be a trip of alifetime.
You might never be coming backto London, so we'll be getting
some nice photos and our guidesare all.
Our driver guides are allqualified, so they're going to
be giving you the lowdown on whythis location's really
(05:37):
important, the history behind itand obviously some cool, fun,
quirky facts as well.
You're quirky facts as well.
You're going to have someluggage on board.
If you're coming from theairport, most likely a lot of
people generally are staying tothe west side of the city
because you've got Mayfair,you've got Pimlico, bayswater,
st James's and lots of othercentral locations.
So on route, quite often we'lldo a bag drop, which that
(05:58):
enables you if you guys, let'ssay you do a red eye flight
transatlantic overnight.
You land at 7amm.
You know you're in the cab at,let's say, half eight by the
time you've got your luggagereclaimed.
Your room is not going to beready till two in the afternoon,
so you can drop off yourluggage at the reception of the
hotel or, if you've got accessto whatever accommodation you're
staying in, and you cancontinue the tour throughout the
(06:19):
morning, finish early afternoon, you can have lunch and then
you can go and do whatever youwant before you go back to the
hotel.
You don't have to finish backthere.
So it really really opens thedoor to really getting the most
out of that first day in thatintroduction to the city.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
And how long can those tours be, ollie?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Well, we, if someone wanted to do whatever time, we'd
obviously consider it.
But our standard times are fivehours and that that includes
the transfer in.
So normally your transfer in isgoing to be about an hour and
then you're going to have therest of the tour with your guide
.
Sometimes things can go wrongwhen people are flying into
London.
As a company we always absorbthe first hour.
(06:58):
So if you're delayed for justone hour landing, then you're
still going to get your wholefive hours after that.
If you, if you're two or threehours, then it needs to be taken
from the tour.
The guide has his, has his, hashis day set out and we need to
obviously ensure that, um, thathe's covered.
But, um, you know, we always dorecommend travel insurance.
(07:19):
If the worst happens, um, andyour flight's cancelled, then
obviously you've got theinsurance to fall back on.
But touch wood it is.
It is rare that we we get majordelays, but obviously, like
anything with big transport,then it can happen.
But all going well, like itnormally does.
Then you get five hoursincluding the transfer.
So, yeah, after, this is thenormal route we take, so we do
westminster and then Quite oftenpeople might need a little
(07:43):
caffeine injection or a snack.
So we're always willing to stopsomewhere that we'll recommend
locally.
They're making a grab, a pastryor coffee or something like
that.
Then off we go.
We'll aim to cover Tower ofLondon, tower Bridge, st Paul's
Cathedral, to cap off the restof the big sites and all going
well.
You have a bit of spare time aswell.
That's when our guides willreally leave their mark mark on
(08:04):
this tour because, as you say,they're going to profile it to
their guests on board.
So if we've got youngsters, wemight do chucking a couple of
harry potter sites or do a bitof street art, something like
that.
If we've got someone that's gota certain profession maybe, you
know, you're a retired lawyer,you've got another interest or a
connection to to the uk we'regoing to start lean it towards
that we might have a look at,you know, the royal courts of
(08:25):
justice or something like that.
Every tour is a little bitdifferent, depends on, you know,
traffic, time of day, thecustomer on board and any
special requests.
So so I suppose the message totake away is that if you, if
you've looked at our site andyou think that some of the tours
are really interesting, butyou've got a special request,
then just just drop us a message.
Your your email is likely to beum open by myself.
(08:48):
Either way.
There's no.
There's no bots, or or ai andall that stuff.
We're all humans here.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
That's going to answer it, so we'll give you an
accurate answer and you know, ifit's something special, then
we'll advise you on what youneed to know about it before we
send you a bespoke invoiceperfect and there's something
special about traveling aroundand exploring london in a black
cab and you have advantages overother ways of getting around as
well, the fact that you cankind of zip along the bus lanes
and all sorts, it's.
(09:14):
It's a fabulous way to traveland just a wonderful
introduction to london yeah,it's um, people are really
really enjoy that some.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Sometimes we get some inquiries that, um, people are,
you know, inquisitive aboutwill we be sitting in traffic
for for hours, and things likethat for my listeners or for
listeners to your podcast aroundthe world.
They may not know that the caball our drivers study for years
to to get their medallions, soit takes, on average, between
three and four years, so theyhave a super um in-depth
(09:42):
knowledge of all the little backstreets and rat runs in the
city anyway.
But on top of that you're right, tracy we have lots of
privileges like bus lanes wherewe can be on one side of the
road in our own dedicated lanejust with buses and motorcycles,
and we can cruise past all ofthe traffic and that may be
queuing for a red light.
We even have our own lightssometimes as well.
So we do like to say we're thefastest cars in London.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Oh, and I think you are definitely, so that's a
great introduction to thetouchdown tours.
Now let's talk about thelayover tours.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
Yeah.
So London being, you know, oneof the gateways into Europe, a
lot of our clients are going onto do a European itinerary, so
they maybe start with London,then they're going to Paris,
amsterdam, milan, etc.
And they might literally bestopping off in London for an
eight-hour layover, whicheveryone knows airports aren't
(10:33):
the most exciting places to befor that length of time.
So another popular tour that'sreally gained a lot of momentum
throughout the last couple ofyears is our layover tours.
So if you are stopped atHeathrow for maybe seven, eight,
nine, ten hours, then thiscould be a fantastic option for
you.
So we'll basically meet andgreet you in the terminal when
(10:53):
you come out into arrivals.
With layover tours, usually yourluggage carries on in transit,
so you don't even have your bagsand stuff, and then we will zip
you into town and take you on awhirlwind adventure of the city
in whatever time you haveallocated um.
The tours are sold online, um,and they allocate.
They allow up to six hours, um,but obviously you can make it
(11:13):
respect if you're there for like12 hours and you want more.
Maybe you want to go inside amuseum but you want our driver
to wait for you outside whileyou do something or have lunch.
You know everything is, we cancustomize everything.
But, um, yeah, that is afantastic way really of getting
london for free, because you'vegot that layover anyway, um, and
we will get you up close andpersonal with all the sites.
(11:34):
We'll get pictures of you there.
It'll look like you've been ona vacation, um, if you, if you
bring a change, a few changes toclose, it'll look like you've
been there for a whole weekend.
Um, because we will reallyreally make the most of um of
your time here and then straightback to the airport.
Um, another option that we'vehad as well, because people are
obviously building their ownflights and itineraries to an
extent as well, a lot of thetime um is you can fly into one
(11:55):
airport and out of another.
There may be a supplement topay on the usual price because
it's priced um for londonheathrow, which is the nearest.
But we've had lots of tourswhere a couple's coming in from
the USA.
They're landing at Heathrow atseven in the morning, they're
flying out of Gatwick at nine,at nine pm that night.
So they've enjoyed with theirluggage in the cab the whole day
in London and then been droppedat Gatwick.
(12:16):
So it really, really can bevery, very economical with your
time and make it all stress-freethat's brilliant.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
I mean, why wouldn't you want that?
I mean, I wish I could do thatin other cities around the world
.
When I've got you know layoverslike that, it's a great option,
rather than just sitting aroundin the airport all day wishing
I could explore a city.
It's a fabulous way to do it,and what a wonderful way to
explore London.
So what about the other toursthat you do?
Just briefly touch on the othertours that you offer, and then
and then I want to just talk alittle bit about your ted lasso
(12:45):
tour as well yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
So we've got all all the classic tours that you'd
expect the big sites tour.
We do a four, a six and aneight hour standard tours and,
as you can imagine, as the timegoes up and the duration
increases, the more in depthyou're going to learn about our
city.
So, um, the longer tours,they're going to go off the
beaten track a bit more.
Um, you're going to see um bitsof social history.
(13:08):
You're going to see the hiddengems that only locals know.
So you're really going to be onboard our cab with a local, um,
and he's going to show youlondon through his eyes.
Um, so that offers a reallyreally you know, memorable and
lasting impression of the city.
The big sites are obviouslysuper important.
That's why a lot of people arebooked to come to london, um, so
you really want to be coveringthem.
(13:29):
But when you get off the beatentrack and you start to see the
unexpected side of the citywhether it's the colorful
streets of notting hill, thefloating neighborhood of little
venice, um, and many otherlittle quirky places that are
unexpected, you didn't know, youwanted to see them, but when
you see them, you're very, verygrateful that you've had the
opportunity to be whisked in andout of these areas with a
really knowledgeable guard andlearn about why, the streets and
(13:52):
the history of the way they arethere.
So they're really good.
And the longer tours as well wewould certainly encourage.
If the change in the guard, forexample, is going on that day,
we would say you know, this isgoing to really offer you a nice
insight because we've got sixor eight hours together On the
four-hour tours.
If people request the changesof guard, we can do that as well
, but there's, you know,depending on pickup and stuff,
there's a lot to get to.
(14:12):
So our standard itinerary wewould probably just visit the
palace, because the issue withthe change of the guard is
because the palace is shut.
It's really really cool to see,but there's quite a lot of
walking involved and when youget out, because all the roads
inside the palace are closed,then sometimes it takes a bit of
time to get away from the area.
But, as I say, we are superflexible.
(14:32):
So anything you want, you justlet us know.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Perfect.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
And, yeah, we've got another great tour called the
London Detour that's becomingmore and more popular, where we
see the rise of TikTok,instagram and other platforms
where people are shining thelight on you know, hidden and
more intrepid things.
People's appetite for travel, Ithink, is changing where, yes,
they understand the merit andthe big stuff, but they actually
(14:57):
they're coming for theexperience a lot of the time,
not to necessarily tick thingsoff.
And the London Detour reallydoes show you pure hidden gems.
The London Detour really doesshow you pure hidden gems.
So I won't spoil the surprises,the sort of things we get up to
, but it'll be full ofunexpected secret streets and
and little quirky places andpeople really sit back.
They don't know what they'rereally going to see.
They just say you know, trust,your trust, your driver guide,
(15:17):
and off you go on a littleadventure.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
That's a lot of fun.
And Ted Lasso come on, you'vegot to tell us about Ted Lasso.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Ted Lasso.
We love a bit of Ted lasso here, um tracy.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
You may or may not know, though, that actually, if
you walk around the streets ofof the uk and ask people, do you
watch ted lasso, it's notactually a super watch program
in the uk, which is probablysurprising to a lot of your
listeners oh it's crazy, but inI know in the states and
certainly in australia, we lovedit and all my friends in
Australia love it and a lot ofour listeners from Australia and
America I can hear right noware just going believe, believe
because they will be total fansyeah, so I, ted Lasso, came onto
(15:54):
my radar.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
actually I didn't catch the first couple of series
when they came out, but it wasrequests from you know,
customers that are comingthrough your page and all over
the place, and they were.
Can we see some Ted Lasso stuff?
And I didn't know what it wasat first because me, like
everyone else, didn't watch itfrom the start.
But I did a bit of research andI of course, got into the
(16:15):
series, which I absolutely loved.
And, yeah, from then on Istarted looking and finding out
where the locations are and Ithought you know what this could
work as a tour.
So, yeah, we have got a TedLasso locations tour in the cab,
which is wonderful.
It takes you out of town.
You stop at a few sites on theway, so the Taste of Athens
(16:35):
restaurant and Ola's restaurant,and then you head out to
Richmond where you'll visit thepub, you'll see where Ted lives,
you'll walk around the green,you'll see Rebecca's house,
you'll see where Nate's parentslives, and so on, um, and it's
really fun.
It's only um four hours.
So, despite being in Richmondbecause I say we've got the bus
lanes and stuff we can zip youout there and back um, all in
(16:56):
that time.
Um, so that's becoming reallypopular actually with Ted Lasso
fans and that's not a surprisebecause I know the appetite for
that.
You know, overseas and nowpeople are watching Ted Lasso a
lot in the UK and everyone's afan that watches it.
So I would urge, if anyonewants some homework after this
podcast, get yourself on anApple TV subscription and get on
(17:16):
the Ted Lasso train, becauseyou won't regret it oh no, it's
amazing.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It's, it's an absolutely fantastic show.
We were so sad when the lastseason ended.
We were like, no, it has tocome back.
We love it so much and I'm soglad that you're doing a Ted
Lasso tour Now.
Listeners, you're thinking thisis amazing.
We want to book with Ollie andhis team.
So, ollie, how can people getin touch with you?
Speaker 3 (17:37):
So you can book directly on our website.
All the tours are live for 2025.
And I think it probably goes tothe end of 2026 actually.
So if you're you know an earlybird and you're planning um, if
you book now for next year, thenyou're going to get 2025 prices
, um, which is always good, andthen you've obviously got that
that confirmed and you know whatyou're doing on that day.
(17:58):
Yeah, just click through.
It's super simple.
Um, please give Tracy and UKTravel planning a shout out.
So I really, really appreciateall the um, all the shout outs
they've me.
So definitely give them somelove on there if you listen and
you book.
But yeah, super easy.
And if you've got a bespokerequest, which lots of you do
you might want to go somewhere.
I'll give you a good example.
(18:18):
Actually, someone reached outto me last week and their
surname is the same as a town inthe middle of England, england,
and they want to go visit itand they actually have ancestors
from that area.
So we're just building anitinerary and we're going to see
stratford-on-avon, um, whilewe're up there.
So that's not a tour we usuallysell because it's a little bit
far from london, but you know,this family's got a special
(18:39):
request.
It's going to be a really,really special trip for them.
We're always happy toaccommodate requests where we
can, and normally we can alwaysfind a solution.
Our core business is the taxitours, but I've got a big
network of really talentedguides and services here, so
sometimes we can um, you know,collaborate with someone else
and make make something happen.
So you always feel free.
If you don't see what you wantexactly on the website, then get
(19:01):
in touch and we'll build yousomething that ticks the box,
I'm sure perfect.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Well, I'll put a link to your website on the show
notes for this episode.
But also, if you're in ourFacebook group, or if you're not
in our Facebook group, do joinit, because Olly is a member of
both our UK and our Londontravel plan and Facebook groups,
so do join there and check outthe show notes.
But it's been great, as always,to catch up with you, olly.
And but it's been great, asalways, to catch up with you,
(19:26):
ollie, and I'm hoping I'm goingto be able to see you soon in
London actually.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Yeah, fingers crossed , we'll have a little nice,
another little adventure in thecab.
Show you some more fun stuff.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Yeah, that'll be great and I'll put those photos
from our last trip into the shownotes as well and, as I say,
hopefully I'll catch up with yousoon in London.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
But it much Tracey Great to catch up with you and
to everyone listening.
We look forward to welcomingyou in New to London soon.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the
UK Travel Planning Podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode, but, as always
(20:19):
, that just leaves me to sayuntil next week happy UK travel
planning.
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