Routing query Woolwich to Bournemouth

[Class800]

Asking for family for later this year.

They intend to travel from Woolwich Arsenal to Bournemouth for a few days (the destination).
Then onto Salisbury for a few days (break of journey).
Then back to Woolwich Arsenal (return).

They require flexible tickets.

Would an off peak period return from Woolwich Arsenal to Bournemouth be valid via Salisbury or only via Winchester? Would the route have to be same way on the two legs?

If it isn't possible to go via Salisbury on a Woolwich to Bournemouth ticket, what other ticket or combination of tickets could work?

Preferable to not have to travel via Southampton when going from Salisbury back to Woolwich Arsenal. Split tickets not ideal for them - but OK maybe as long as not too many tickets. Will be paper tickets. With senior railcards.

Many thanks

 

[JonathanH]

From Bournemouth to Salisbury they may as well take the X3 bus https://www.morebus.co.uk/services/SQ/X3

The bus journey time from Bournemouth to Salisbury is abut 75 minutes - roughly the same as going by train via Southampton.

Travelling via Salisbury is not an option on a Woolwich Arsenal to Bournemouth ticket.

If the bus were an option, I would suggest:
Off-peak return Woolwich Arsenal to Dean £35.90
Anytime single Southampton Central to Bournemouth £9.70

The ticket to Dean appears to be valid via both Salisbury and Southampton so I think that, with the extra ticket from Southampton to Bournemouth and using the bus to get from Bournemouth to Salisbury in between, this combination should be fine for travelling from Woolwich Arsenal to Bournemouth on day one, then travelling back from Salisbury later on.

The bus fare is currently £7 if your Senior Railcard holders don't qualify yet for ENCTS.

The combination compares favourably with the off-peak return from Woolwich Arsenal to Bournemouth which is £45.80.