Foodie Gregg Wallace, comedian Ed Byrne and historian Mary Beard have teamed up with Southeastern to host a series of podcasts that promote the ease of train travel around the area. In each episode they travel by train to learn more about the region and interview local experts.
Nikki Causer, Head of Marketing at Southeastern, said: “The popularity of podcasts continues to grow, and we wanted to find a way to give listeners a unique view of the best that Kent and East Sussex have to offer. We decided that using celebrities was a great way to inspire and engage with listeners. Each episode transports the listener on a whistle stop tour of the fantastic places that can be discovered by hopping on board a Southeastern train.”
In the first episode, Kent resident Gregg Wallace tells listeners ‘wherever you go, eat where the locals go’ on a mouth-watering journey through the county. He visits the Shepherd Neame brewery to meet their Master Brewer and pull a pint, before sinking his teeth into some local oysters in Whitstable. During an interview with Jonathan Piggins, co-founder of English wine specialists Corkk, Gregg is amazed to discover that Kent benefits from the same soil and weather as the Champagne region in France.
Nikki added: “There is much delicious locally produced food and drink across the region; we wanted Gregg to tell listeners how to find the best. And visiting Kent’s wonderful vineyards by train means you can sample some of the delicious product without having to worry about driving.”
In another episode, comedian Ed Byrne discovers some of Kent’s best countryside walks and coastal paths chatting and walking with interesting people he meets along the way. He then catches a train to the beautiful village of Wye to dog walk and talk with the owners of famous Kent pooch social media stars, Puggy and Yum Yum Smalls.
In the third episode, historian Mary Beard visits the South East’s only spa town Tunbridge Wells, before taking the train to Hastings to explore the rich maritime history of Hastings, ending up on the ramparts at Battle Abbey in East Sussex.
To find out more and download the first three episodes, visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/hoponboard. A further three episodes of ‘Hop on board’ will be launched in spring 2023.
