Turn a Podcast Launch Into a Walking Tour: Ant and Dec’s 'Hanging Out' as Your Local Guide

Turn a podcast into a tidy, time-saving podcast walking tour — without hunting through five different websites

Planning a neighborhood walk that actually fits your time, budget and curiosity can feel like a research project: scattered blog posts, half-remembered anecdotes, and outdated transit notes. What if you could use a single creative asset — a podcast — as your audio guide, itinerary spine and local storyteller? In 2026, with Ant & Dec’s new podcast Hanging Out (part of their Belta Box channel) launching across platforms, you’ve got a perfect, entertainment-rich source to build a podcast walking tour that’s local, social and ready for mobile-first travel.

“So that’s what we’re doing - Ant & I don't get to hang out as much as we used to, so it's perfect for us.” — Declan Donnelly on Hanging Out (source: BBC, Jan 2026)

Why a podcast is an ideal spine for a self-guided walking tour in 2026

Podcasts are already part of our daily audio habits — and recent tech and creator-economy trends from late 2025 into 2026 make them even better for walking tours.

• Automatic transcripts & chapters: Podcast hosting platforms now auto-generate chapter markers and accurate transcripts using on-device AI, so you can extract precise timestamps and short quotes for stops without manual transcripts.
• Wearable and spatial audio: Lightweight bone-conduction headphones and spatial audio features on flagship phones improve outdoor listening safety and immersion while keeping awareness of surroundings.
• Creator-owned distribution: Many presenters (including Ant & Dec’s Belta Box) publish episodes across YouTube, Spotify and RSS — giving creators multiple embedding and deep-link options for timestamped cues.
• Location-aware audio tools: Apps like VoiceMap and izi.TRAVEL — plus newer GPS-triggered audio PWAs that rose in late 2025 — make it easy to assign audio clips to map points and publish a guided route without complex coding.

What you’ll build: A compact, practical self-guided itinerary using Hanging Out

By the end of this guide you’ll have: (1) a mapped route, (2) episode-based listening cues for each stop, (3) local-business and transit notes so the walk is useful and budget-friendly, and (4) a small PWA or printable map to share with friends. Below is a step-by-step blueprint plus a worked example around Ant & Dec’s Newcastle roots.

Step 1 — Gather source material (episodes, clips, transcripts)

• Subscribe to Hanging Out across platforms (YouTube for video, Spotify/Apple for audio). Collect episode links and save locally if platforms allow offline playback.
• Use the episode auto-chapters or press the platform’s share/timestamp tool to capture the exact moments where Ant & Dec mention places or stories. If a platform doesn’t support sharing a timestamp, use the episode transcript (many hosts auto-generate these in 2026) to find the phrase and note the timestamp.
• Make a quick spreadsheet: columns for Stop Name, Lat/Lon or Address, Episode Title, Timestamp (mm:ss), 1-sentence descriptor and local note (e.g., 'good for coffee'). This is the itinerary backbone.

Step 2 — Map stops & set the route

Decide on a realistic distance and time. For a neighborhood walk, aim for 60–180 minutes total.

1. Open Google My Maps (or your preferred mapping tool). Create a new map layer called "Podcast Walk — Hanging Out".
2. Drop pins for each place referenced in the episodes — for Ant & Dec that often means Newcastle landmarks: the Byker Grove filming location, the Quayside (Tyne bridges), and other Geordie haunts they reference. Use exact addresses where possible.
3. Order pins into a logical walking route. Keep walking legs between 5–20 minutes each to match average podcast segment lengths.

Step 3 — Assign listening cues and create accessible links

Listening cues are the bridge between a pin on the map and the audio moment you want visitors to hear.

• Timestamp links: For YouTube, append &t=XXs to jump to seconds. On audio platforms, embed a web player on a simple PWA page and programmatically set audio.currentTime to the desired timestamp. If you’re not building an app, include clear instructions in the map pin like: “Start episode 2 at 12:30”.
• Chunk audio legally: If you plan to distribute clips (rather than linking to full episodes), request permission from the rights holder (Belta Box). For private or small-group use, linking to full episodes with timestamps avoids copyright issues.
• Provide fallbacks: Add a short transcript excerpt (one or two sentences) in the pin description for noisy days or for visitors who prefer reading.

Step 4 — Time your walk to episode structure

Podcasts aren’t uniform: some segments are 30 seconds, others 8 minutes. Match your walking legs to the audio flow so listeners don’t have to scramble to pause or skip.

• Estimate walk time between pins and choose episode segments of similar length. If a segment is longer than the walk leg, split it into a 'Part A' and 'Part B' at the next stop (note chapters in your map).
• Use shorter clips for interest points (30–90 seconds) and longer stories when people are seated at a café or park (5–12 minutes).

Step 5 — Add local stops, deals and practical notes

A walking tour is more than audio — it’s also where you eat, sip and rest.

• For each pin, include a recommended local business (cafe, bakery, pub), price level, and opening hours. Cross-check hours in late 2025–2026 as many independent venues update hours seasonally.
• Partner tip: if you build the route for public use, reach out to local businesses and offer social posts in exchange for a 10% treat or small discount for your tour followers.
• Transit and last-mile: show the nearest Metro station or bus stop and provide realistic return options. In Newcastle, many visitors use the Tyne and Wear Metro; add walking times to Central Station or Monument.

Step 6 — Tech setup for 2026 (simple to advanced)

Pick the level that matches your skills and audience.

• No-code: Google My Maps + a Google Doc with timestamps and QR code links. Export the map to PDF for offline use.
• Low-code: Use a web builder (Glide, SvelteKit PWA templates) to create a map page that embeds episode players and uses the Geolocation API to nudge users when they’re near a pin.
• Pro: GPS-triggered audio using VoiceMap, izi.TRAVEL, or a custom PWA that uses background geofencing to auto-play the timestamped audio. Add push notifications to remind listeners to pause for crossing roads or longer segments.

Step 7 — Safety, accessibility and trust

Good tour design is inclusive and safe.

• Offer readable transcripts and captions — many podcast platforms auto-generate them in 2026, but curate for clarity and local slang.
• Provide an estimated difficulty rating and suggest alternatives for those using wheelchairs or prams (avoid steep staircases or unpaved paths).
• Encourage safe listening: use one-ear or bone-conduction headphones and call out any busy roads or railway crossings in the pin descriptions before playback begins.

Example: A 2.5-hour Ant & Dec walking tour in Newcastle (sample self-guided itinerary)

The pair’s public persona and roots in Newcastle make their podcast a great emotional compass for a city stroll. Below is a sample route you can build immediately using episodes from Hanging Out. All timestamps below are illustrative examples — replace with the exact times from the episode transcripts when you build the route.

Overview

• Distance: ~4 km (2.5 miles)
• Time: 2–2.5 hours including a coffee stop
• Start / End: Monument Metro (central & easy links)

Stop 1 — Monument / Central start (0–10 mins)

Listening cue: Episode 1 intro (00:00–01:30) — Ant & Dec say hello and set a friendly tone. Keep this short and use it as a walk-out-the-door warm-up.

Local note: Quick coffee at an independent kiosk on Grey’s Street. Public toilets at the Eldon Square complex.

Stop 2 — Byker Grove filming area (20–35 mins walk from Monument)

Listening cue: Episode 2, 05:30–09:00 — a childhood story about the early TV days. The anecdote anchors the place and gives context to the next stop.

Why it works: Hearing a story about a childhood set while standing near the filming location creates emotional resonance — key to entertainment travel.

Stop 3 — Quayside viewpoint (walk along Ouseburn to the Tyne) — 30–45 mins

Listening cue: Episode 3 feature (12:15–17:00) where they talk about live-show nerves and the river scenes from TV productions.

Local note: Sit on the steps, enjoy the view of the Tyne bridges, and grab fish and chips or a quick pint. Check the Sunday market times if your walk falls on the weekend.

Stop 4 — Baltic Centre / Gateshead outlook (rest, 15–25 mins)

Listening cue: A longer, reflective segment (20:00–28:00) — this is a great place to pause and listen to a fuller story while seated.

Accessibility note: The Baltic has step-free access and restrooms.

Stop 5 — Local pub for chat & finish

Listening cue: Episode wrap-up (last 3–5 minutes) — a closing anecdote or a question-answer segment where they respond to listener mail. Perfect for winding down over a beverage.

Exit strategy: Walk back along the Quayside to Monument or hop on the Metro from Central Station.

Advanced strategies and 2026 trend tactics to level up your tour

Here are pro moves to make your podcast walking tours stand out in 2026.

• AI chapter-summaries: Use an AI summarizer (many are now integrated into podcast hosting dashboards) to create a 20–30 word blurb for each stop. These work great as map popups or social cards.
• Interactive social features: Encourage listeners to send voice notes to the pod via the episode’s Q&A feature (Belta Box is pushing interactive formats). Curate the best listener contributions into a public playlist for later tours — see a broader creator communities playbook for micro-events and interactive formats.
• Dynamic weather/pricing integration: Build your PWA to show live transit updates and optional local deals — many independent businesses provide short-term deals to creators in exchange for promotion. See practical tips on powering pop-ups and offers in our Power for Pop-Ups field guide.
• Local verification and safety audits: Partner with a local tourism office or a trusted community moderator to confirm hours and accessibility. This adds credibility and keeps your route accurate as businesses change post-2025.

Legal & rights checklist

• If you link to full episodes, include clear attribution (episode title, episode number, platform and publisher — e.g., Hanging Out, Belta Box).
• For distributed audio clips, always request permission from the rights holder. Public reuse without permission can trigger takedowns or ad revenue claims.
• Disclose affiliate or commercial arrangements when you list discounts or deals with local businesses — transparency boosts trust and SEO E-A-T signals.

Measuring success and iterating

Track engagement and improve your route using simple metrics:

• Map clicks and downloads (Google My Maps or your PWA analytics)
• Average time spent on a stop page (looks like dwell time)
• Social shares and profile mentions — encourage users to tag the route on Instagram or Threads and reshare the best photos

Quick checklist before you launch a podcast walking tour

• Create a clean one-page map or PWA and test it on both Android and iOS.
• Verify all business hours and accessibility details in late 2025/early 2026 (many microbusinesses update seasonally).
• Provide both audio and text options for each stop (captions, short transcripts).
• Include safety reminders, headphone etiquette, and transit fallback suggestions.
• Reach out to content owners if you intend to host or re-broadcast any podcast clips.

Final notes — why this method matters now

Entertainment travel is shifting from passive sightseeing to narrative-driven exploration. In 2026, audiences want authentic, low-friction experiences that combine the intimacy of podcasts with the serendipity of walking a neighborhood. Using Ant & Dec’s Hanging Out as a narrative spine not only taps into their massive, trust-driven fanbase but also exemplifies the modern creator-driven, local-first travel trend.

Try it today — an easy starter task

Pick one episode of Hanging Out, find three distinct place mentions in the transcript, map them in Google My Maps and create a 60–90 minute loop. Test it yourself, take notes (noise levels, bench availability), and tweak the timestamps where the audio best matches the physical moment. Share the route with a friend and ask for one improvement — iterative local testing is the fastest path to a flawless self-guided experience.

Ready to build your own podcast walking tour? Download our free starter checklist and sample Newcastle GPX (podcast-timed) to test a walk this weekend. If you’d like, send your map to us and we’ll feature the best user-created Ant & Dec routes in our next roundup.

Call to action

Turn a listen into a local adventure. Subscribe to our newsletter for the free GPX and step-by-step template, or tag @discovers_info on social with #PodcastWalk to get featured. Let Ant & Dec’s stories lead the way — and bring a portable charger.

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