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 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/

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

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.

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.

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.