Stephen Mangan charts a life shaped by travel in the latest episode of Routes from LNER, joining host Jenni Falconer to reflect on the journeys that influenced his upbringing, career and sense of adventure. From childhood ferry trips to Ireland to epic rail routes across continents, the actor offers listeners a vivid portrait of a life spent on the move.

Raised in London by Irish parents who arrived in the capital during the 1960s, Mangan recalls regular trips back to Ireland, where a huge extended family — including 52 first cousins — provided an energetic backdrop to his early years. Long drives, crowded holidays and the responsibilities of being the eldest sibling all come flooding back as he talks with Falconer about those formative experiences.

The conversation shifts to his first steps beyond the UK and Ireland, including interrailing around Europe on a tight budget, teaching maths in the United States, and enduring a 33-hour rail journey through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Each story adds to the picture of a young man driven by curiosity and a desire to see the world.

Mangan also lifts the curtain on his work hosting Landscape Artist of the Year for Sky Arts — a role that takes him across the UK by train to locations ranging from Buckingham Palace to the Lake District. He explains how rail travel has become an essential part of his routine, offering time to think, write and prepare for filming while watching Britain’s landscapes roll by.

Stephen Mangan said:

“Whether it’s running along the Southwest Coast Path, navigating the Sierra Nevada, or watching artists bring landscapes to life, there’s a thrill in discovering the world around you—one journey at a time.”

The episode delivers a mix of nostalgia, self-discovery, and personal reflection, capturing the ways travel has shaped Mangan’s outlook and career. It paints a picture of someone whose life story is closely tied to the routes he’s taken — both literal and metaphorical.

Image: LNER