Routes

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 creat...

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)...

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 Thaila...

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 rea...

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...

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...

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 ti...

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 th...

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 bac...

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...

Welcome back to The Quiet Coach, where Siân Welby shares what happens when she’s on the move. From spotting familiar faces on Hollywood boulevards to navigating jet-lagged mornings, Sian talks about how she keeps travel manageable, with Pringles and a stash of Haribo at the ready, a few podcasts queued up for long train journeys, and by finding the perfect seat. She opens up about her favourite tr...

Siân Welby’s route into broadcasting has been shaped by curiosity, instinct and a willingness to say yes before she had everything figured out. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the Capital Breakfast presenter joins Jenni to talk about the journeys, both literal and personal, that have defined her life and career so far. She reflects on growing up with classic British seaside holidays, discover...

From learning lines in the Quiet Coach to racing through stations at the last minute, Sam Heughan reveals what travel really looks like when you’re juggling acting, adventure, and a suitcase stashed in every corner of the world. In this episode of The Quiet Coach, Sam joins Jenni to talk about how he travels, how he works on the move, and why trains are one of his favourite places to think, reflec...

From Highland adventures and Himalayan expeditions to motorbike road trips and mezcal-fuelled misadventures, Sam Heughan’s life off screen is every bit as epic as his most famous role. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the Outlander star joins Jenni to talk about the places that shaped him, the journeys that pushed him out of his comfort zone, and why the south of Scotland deserves just as much...

Welcome back to the Quiet Coach, where chef and TV presenter James Martin reveals his travel essentials and the moments that have shaped him as a traveler. From Red Bull and Mars bar breakfasts to throwing mugs in the bin, this is where we get into the wonderfully peculiar habits that come from decades in professional kitchens. In this episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down with Jam...

From washing pots at eight years old in a Yorkshire castle to becoming one of Britain's most beloved TV chefs, James Martin's journey has been anything but conventional. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the flat cap wearing chef joins Jenni to share stories of break dancing for fish and chips in York, being dropped off at French vineyards as a kid, and why failing cookery at school was the bes...

Welcome back to the Quiet Coach, where we dive into Erin Richards' travel essentials and the moments that have shaped her as a traveler. From chocolate obsessions to meditation retreats, this is where we get into the details. Erin's always got dark chocolate in her bag, usually around 90% cocoa, and she's got her top three brands ranked like a proper connoisseur. She's more of a podcast person tha...

From childhood camping trips in France to missing flights in spectacular fashion, Erin Richards has always been someone who thrives on movement and discovery. The Gotham star joins Jenni to chat about her journey from Penarth to Hollywood and back again, with plenty of wild stories along the way. Growing up, Erin was the kind of kid who'd pile into the back of her mum's Chrysler seven seater with...

In this very special Christmas edition of Routes, Jenni invites you to a festive celebration filled with laughter, travel stories, and holiday cheer. Whether you're journeying near or far, this episode brings you Christmas traditions and stories from some of Jenni's past and future guests. Penny Lancaster shares her love for Christmas parties, tree decorating battles with Rod, and why having a che...

What happens when a self-confessed show off who was made to feel stupid at school becomes a bestselling author and one of the UK's most loved comedians? In this Quiet Coach episode, Suzi Ruffell opens up about her journey from struggling with severe dyslexia to writing a book that surprised even herself. She reveals how she actually writes her standup, working from single word cue cards and improv...

From childhood holidays in caravans with cousins to selling out Edinburgh Festival shows and traveling the country on tour, Suzi Ruffell's life has been shaped by journeys both literal and creative. In this episode of Routes from LNER, the award winning comedian and Sunday Times bestselling author chats with Jenni about her love of train travel, how she became a standup storyteller, and why Edinbu...

In this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down with actor, comedian and presenter Stephen Mangan to talk about his travel obsessions, from panic buying enough fruit to open a market stall to running 40 miles a week just to stay on top of his snack habit. A devoted Quiet Coach fan who can't understand why anyone would want to hear someone else's phone conversation, Stephe...

This week on  Routes from LNER , Jenni Falconer is joined by the brilliant Stephen Mangan, an actor, author and all round storyteller with a lifetime of travel mishaps and memories. From childhood road trips to County Mayo with fifty two cousins waiting at the other end, to ferry crossings, car sickness and cassettes on loop, Stephen paints a vivid picture of holidays that felt like travellin...

In this Quiet Coach episode of Routes from LNER, Jenni Falconer sits down for a calm catch-up with singer-songwriter Ella Eyre to talk about her favourite travel rituals, go-to comfort snacks, and the little luxuries that make touring life bearable. From her love of skincare routines and Yorkshire Tea-dipped jammy dodgers to her trusty travel kettle for those American hotels that never have one, E...

From wild childhood holidays with “The Wild Bunch” to performing at the BRIT Awards and waking up in a new country every day, Ella Eyre’s life has always been in motion. In this episode of  Routes from LNER , the Brit Award-winning artist chats with Jenni about her early adventures, her love of travel, and the lessons learned along the way. Ella reflects on going from Brit School musical thea...