Trying to work out a routing puzzle

[DingerUK]

First post, so please be gentle!

I have a puzzle i'm trying to work out.

I am travelling from Haverfordwest to Brighton on Sunday 19th May, returning Friday 24th May.

I was planning to travel via London Paddington and Victoria. I've learned there is industrial action planned on the tube on the outbound journey so I'm trying to work out alternatives, which is where I need your help.

My Plan was as follows:

HVF-SWA D0943-A1116
SWA-PAD D1124-A1436
PAD-VIC D1451-A1513 (I may get an earlier train - flexibility here)
VIC-BTN D1525-A1631

If i wanted to avoid the tube all together, what options would I have?

I could go from Paddington to St Pancras by BUS

PAD-STP D1445-A1523 (BUS)
STP-BTN D1526-1647 (Could be tight! next would be D1556-A1715)

I've looked at going via reading but can't manage to do this unless I depart 1138 and arrive 1831. I'd like to arrive before 1745 at the latest if possible.

Tickets have already been purchased - Super off Peak Return - restriction code WN

Any suggestions please?

 

[kieron]

If I say to avoid Paddington, I can get:
Haverfordwest-Swansea 09:43-11:16
Swansea-Reading 11:24-14:01
Reading-Clapham Junction 14:24-15:38
Clapham Junction-Brighton 16:02-17:01

If I say I want to go via Guildford (to use the North Downs line), the last bit changes to:
Reading-Gatwick Airport 15:18-16:35
Gatwick Airport-Brighton 16:58-17:31

There are rail replacement buses along the south coast, so there may not be any journeys which get to Brighton before 17:45 but don't go through Reading.

 

[JB_B]

AFAICS there's a connection starting with your original itinerary as far as Reading (starting 09:43 arriving Reading 14:01) then onto the 14:24 Clapham Junction service - changing there for Brighton arriving 17:01. That's definitely a valid route and NRE shows the component journeys - I'm not sure why it can't glue them together.

 

[urpert]

It’s a very easy journey from Paddington to Victoria on the 36 bus if that’s any help.

 

[cactustwirly]

If I say to avoid Paddington, I can get:
Haverfordwest-Swansea 09:43-11:16
Swansea-Reading 11:24-14:01
Reading-Clapham Junction 14:24-15:38
Clapham Junction-Brighton 16:02-17:01

If I say I want to go via Guildford (to use the North Downs line), the last bit changes to:
Reading-Gatwick Airport 15:18-16:35
Gatwick Airport-Brighton 16:58-17:31

There are rail replacement buses along the south coast, so there may not be any journeys which get to Brighton before 17:45 but don't go through Reading.

For the love of God, don't get the Reading - Clapham junction train if you value your sanity!
It's just as quick to stay on the train to London and go via London Victoria

 

[30907]

For the love of God, don't get the Reading - Clapham junction train if you value your sanity!
It's just as quick to stay on the train to London and go via London Victoria

When the tubes are on strike?
The North Downs route is more pleasant, and you might make the previous train at 14.08 from Reading if the Swansea train is on time and you are reasonably mobile.

 

[yorkie]

Take the North Downs Line; it may not take as long as the suggested itinerary and will be more pleasant.