Great Escapes Podcast Returns With A Fresh Take On The British Staycation

Great Escapes – the travel-comedy podcast sponsored by Great Western Railway – is back, with comedians Isy Suttie and Dan Skinner uncovering unforgettable staycation experiences across the South West and Wales.

Launching today (Tuesday 21 July), with new episodes released throughout the summer holidays, Great Escapes returns bigger than ever.

And this time audiences can not only listen to Isy and Dan’s adventures but experience them as a video podcast, capturing every moment as the pair throw themselves into a series of unforgettable challenges across the South West and Wales.

Join Isy and Dan as they challenge themselves to try new experiences, uncover hidden gems and meet the people whose stories bring some of Britain’s favourite destinations to life. Along the way, they’ll surf inland waves in Bristol, scale the roof of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and step into the world of professional wrestling in South London, with plenty more adventures still to come.

Hosted by Isy Suttie (Peep Show, Shameless) and Dan Skinner (Shooting Stars, The Kennedys), Great Escapes combines travel, comedy and curiosity as the pair throw themselves into new experiences, discover what makes each destination unique and share plenty of laughs along the way.

The new series launches today, with new episodes released throughout the summer holidays on all major podcast platforms and as a video podcast.

Subscribe and listen here.

View each episode as a video podcast here.

Isy said:

“Dan and I had so much fun making this series. I loved chatting to the locals and exploring the backstreets of all these wonderful places right on our doorstep. We’ve also taken on some challenges I thought I’d probably left behind now I’m in my mid-40s, so listeners have no excuse not to get out and explore somewhere new themselves!”

Dan Skinner added:

“It’s been an absolute blast recording series two of Great Escapes. Isy and I have met even more wonderful people on our travels. I’ve surfed on inland waves and wrestled with a truck driver in London. Of course, we’ve also explored some beautiful places along the GWR network, proving you don’t have to travel abroad to have wonderful experiences.”

GWR Head of External Communications, Dan Panes, said:

“We’re delighted to be teaming up with Isy and Dan again and watching them throw themselves into some of the great experiences our network has to offer. Their humour, curiosity and willingness to say ‘yes’ to almost anything make every adventure feel infectious.

“We hope the series encourages listeners to hop on a train, try something new and make the most of everything the South West and Wales has to offer this summer.”

Here’s a taste of the first three episodes:

• Cardiff – being put through their paces by Welsh international rugby player Ben Thomas before scaling the roof of the Principality Stadium
• Bristol – surfing Bristol’s inland waves before swapping surfboards for a hot-air balloon on the eve of the international balloon fiesta
• London – stepping into the colourful world of professional wrestling, where Isy and Dan’s training culminates in an unforgettable showdown