Northern complimentary ticket - optimum Cumbrian Coast destination?

I've recently received a Northern Rail complimentary ticket as a consequence of a delayed journey I had last December. To validate it you simply enter your origin, destination, outward date and return date.

I've not got the ticket with me right now but from memory the conditions on the ticket state it's valid for one journey in each direction between the origin and destination in each direction. However it makes no mention of permitted routeings, or whether overnight break of journey is permitted, only that it's only valid on Northern services.

The journey I'd like to make is from Barnsley to the Cumbrian Coast, stopping overnight in Barrow, then coming back the following day, and while I'm up there I'd like to enjoy several journeys on the loco-hauled services on the Cumbrian Coast.

Ideally I'd like to go outward changing at Leeds and Preston (onto the 1004 to Barrow), then connecting with the 1140 from Barrow up the coast, stopping off somewhere nice for some lunch and a walk then returning to Barrow in the evening on the last loco hauled train.

The following day (Saturday) I'd like to take the 0845 from Barrow up the coast to Whitehaven, spend 3 hours there then get the 1315 Southbound that will take me all the way to Carnforth, where I can connect with a Leeds train then back to Barnsley.

The puzzle I have is to work out what's my optimum destination. If I choose Barrow, that means I'd need a separate return ticket to go up and down the coast on both Friday and Saturday. Alternatively I could choose Whitehaven (even though that's technically not my destination) but then I'd need a separate single to get me back to Barrow on the Friday and a further ticket to get me from Barrow to Whitehaven and back on the Saturday.

I'm probably overcomplicating the issue, but what would be the optimum destination that would allow me to do as much loco-hauled travel as possible over two days without needing to buy too many additional tickets?

dunno about tickets but I would suggest going to the Ratty pub in the station at Ravenglass or possibly the Vic at Drigg but I've not been there in ages

To simplify, I'll use Workington as your 'stopping off somewhere nice for lunch' location.

Your journey is:

Day 1: Barnsley - Lancaster - Barrow - Workington
Day 1: Workington - Barrow
Day 2: Barrow - Whitehaven
Day 2: Whitehaven - Barrow - Lancaster - Barnsley

In simplest terms, your Northern voucher will be good for a return from Barnsley to Workington (*or wherever you choose to go for lunch after Barrow) via Lancaster. An Anytime Return from Workington* to Barrow at £16.70 would cover your Workington* - Barrow journey on Day 1, and your Barrow - Whitehaven journey on Day 2. You would then use the return "portion" of your Northern ticket to get back to Barnsley from Whitehaven.

Note that not all destinations on the Cumbrian Coast have an Anytime Return available. Basically, use your Northern ticket to the furthest point you're going to on Day 1 and buy an Anytime Return from there to get to Barrow and back (to Whitehaven). If you stop for lunch on Day 1 at a place between Barrow and Whitehaven, an Anytime Return from Whitehaven to Barrow would cover you, again at £16.70.

See crap image attached.

I think using the Northern voucher to the most northerly point would be best, and then buying an Off Peak Day Return from Barrow to Whitehaven (or alternative more southerly destination) as this will work out cheaper than an Anytime Return. I hope that makes sense.

As for pubs, the Bear on the Square at Millom is good, but I suspect that you'll want to go further north.

I'd suggest Maryport for lunch and going to the Lifeboat Inn. On a few occasions, I've caught the 11.40 ex Barrow to there, and it gives around 1.5 hours there for dinner and a couple of pints while train continues to Carlisle and back, and you can then get the same loco/stock back south.

Haywain said:

I think using the Northern voucher to the most northerly point would be best, and then buying an Off Peak Day Return from Barrow to Whitehaven (or alternative more southerly destination) as this will work out cheaper than an Anytime Return. I hope that makes sense.

As for pubs, the Bear on the Square at Millom is good, but I suspect that you'll want to go further north.

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A CDR wouldn't cover the southbound journey on Day 1 and the journey to Whitehaven on Day 2. Northern tickets have only one day's validity in each direction (due to the date needing to be filled in) and thus cannot be used to break the journey overnight

Thanks all for the suggestion, particularly JakeF for the picture!
Looks like the Anytime Return from Whitehaven to Barrow is my best option, seeing as most of the intermediate stations don't have overnight returns available. As for my lunch stop on the Friday, a real ale drinking friend has suggested the Prince Of Wales at Foxfield. Anyone been, and are there any good walks nearby if I don't fancy a 5 hour drinking session?

CaptainHaddock said:

Thanks all for the suggestion, particularly JakeF for the picture!
Looks like the Anytime Return from Whitehaven to Barrow is my best option, seeing as most of the intermediate stations don't have overnight returns available. As for my lunch stop on the Friday, a real ale drinking friend has suggested the Prince Of Wales at Foxfield. Anyone been, and are there any good walks nearby if I don't fancy a 5 hour drinking session?

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The Prince of Wales is fantastic. They do good value accommodation too- the breakfasts fill you up rightly for a day's drinking. The Manor Arms in Broughton is pretty good too.

I've walked to Broughton/Foxfield from Bootle station before, which was a good way to build up a thirst.

JakeF said:

A CDR wouldn't cover the southbound journey on Day 1 and the journey to Whitehaven on Day 2. Northern tickets have only one day's validity in each direction (due to the date needing to be filled in) and thus cannot be used to break the journey overnight

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Having never used the Northern free tickets, I was unaware of that. However, it's pretty clear that I wasn't suggesting using a day return over two days.

Haywain said:

...it's pretty clear that I wasn't suggesting using a day return over two days.

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My post was written in a hurry and wasn't intended to come across as condescending - sorry if it did!