UK Trip 2016

[DJ737]

G'day

Back again in the UK in May 2016, this time not laden down with family, just myself.
Last year I developed an illness which saw me in the Slough hospital A&E at 06:00 on the day I was due to fly back to Melbourne, they weren't sure what was wrong with me, so gave me a script for some antibiotics and a fit to fly certificate, probably so they could get rid of me.

Roughish plan for this year is :

May 01 Melbourne to London via Ho Chi Min City with Vietnam Airlines
May 02 arrive LHR and transfer to my Aunt's in Lamphey for a week.
May 09 Lamphey to Paignton for 3 nights.
May 12 Paignton to Nottingham for 2 nights.
May 14 Nottingham to Elsenham for 2 Nights staying at a cousins house.
May 16 off to Turkey for a couple of nights (another cousin who lives near Dalaman)
May 18 Stansted to Godalming for 5 Nights (got things to do in London & the South East)
May 23 Godalming to Manchester for 3 nights
May 26 Manchester to Matlock for 1 Night (running out of things to do!)
May 27 Matlock to Heathrow T4 for one night.
May 28 Dep Heathrow via Paris & Ho Chi Minh to Melbourne
May 30 Arrive MEL

If any one has any creative ways of getting between the overnight stays, there are no restrictions on route taken (as long as I get to my destination by 18:00) as I have a 30 day Britrail pass.

I welcome any ideas.

Cheers
DJ737
Melbourne, Australia

 

[Techniquest]

Wow that's got to be an expensive trip! hock:

I've never heard of Vietnam Airlines, hope they do a decent job. When you say creative, in what fashion? Routes or motive power?

Needing to be in by 1800 will make getting the more interesting bits difficult, then again you might really all that fussed over what gets you there as long as it's a train!

Sounds like it'll be a brilliant time all in, but let us know what you want to do or cover and we can certainly advise you most thoroughly!

 

[DJ737]

G'day
Looking for scenic routes, not bothered about the trains so much, but would like to try a GWR restaurant service at some point.

As for cost the 30 day unlimited Britrail is £530.00, so about £18 a day if I use it every day ( I won't) and Vietnam Airlines was the cheapest ride to LHR.

Cheers
DJ 737

 

[30907]

To do the GW restaurant basically means Newton Abbot-London at 12.42 or 13.37SX, transfer to St Pancras and on to Nottingham.

Don't know if you are travelling 1st? If not, it might be worth travelling west to Plymouth and opting for the later train, which starts there, to improve your chances of a seat. You'd be after 1800 at Notts though!

Or the 1045 Padd-Swansea on your arrival day!

 

[DJ737]

Thanks for that.

10:45 to Swansea on my arrival day is no good for the restaurant as it is a public holiday, My rail pass is 2nd class, but I believe I would be able to use the restaurant if there is space.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[Bald Rick]

The most important move you can do is to go to White's bakery, opposite the station approach road in Lamphey. Best bread rolls in the world.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

I suggest you visit Liverpool when you're in Manchester, it's got a lot of stuff to see, and the waterfront is a World Heritage site. Sometimes a ferry operates between both city's on the ship canal.
The railway not via Warrington is the oldest Intercity railway.

 

[DJ737]

Yep probably visit Liverpool and scratch off a few pubs.

Never tried the bread from the bakery at Lamphey, but it sure smells nice when walking past.

As for the GWR restaurant car I might try the Breakfast service at 07:32 from Newton Abbot as far as Reading, then jump on a train to Derby then on to Nottingham.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Starting to fill in the trips between locations :

Godalming to Manchester will be via London-Newcastle-Carlisle & Preston, I'm trying to build in a connection of at least 60 mins into the trips in order to sample local ales.

Nottingham to Elsenham via St Pancras-Liverpool St-Norwich & Cambridge.

Manchester to Matlock via Leeds-Settle & Carlisle-Cumbrian Coast-Lancaster-Crewe & Derby (not sure if this one is doable to arrive by around 18:00)

 

[DJ737]

OK I have finalised a train plan for my trip.
Doesn't include tube's or any buses
03 May-27May : Total 100 Trains on the Britrail Pass
Av cost per train £5.30
If anyone cares to join me on any of the days, please let me know, even if it just for one train or a meet at an interchange

030516
(1)1B25 1045Paddington-1344Swansea
(2)2E24 1400Swansea-1602Lamphey
-------------------------
050516
(3)2E03 0710Lamphey-1016Cardiff Central
(4)1T18 1055Cardiff Central-1210Treherbert
(5)2F36 1217Treherbert-1248Pontypridd
(6)2A28 1312Pontypridd-1343Aberdare
(7)2Y65 1522Aberdare-1624Cardiff Central
(8)1B46 1648Cardiff Central-1743Swansea
(9)1V44 1814Swansea-1955Tenby
(10)2E32 2000Tenby-2017Lamphey
-------------------------
060516
(11)2E09 0920Lamphey-1006Whitland
(12)1V31 1014Whitland-1052Milford Haven
(13)1W16 1108Milford Haven-1144Whitland
(14)1B96 1245Whitland-1322Fishguard Harbour
(15)1B97 1329Fishguard Harbour-1404Whitland
(16)2E24 1506Whitland-1602Lamphey
-------------------------
090516
(17)2E09 0920Lamphey-1024Carmarthern
(18)1W60 1103Carmarthen-1248Cardiff Central
(19)1F19 1330Cardiff Central-1418Bristol Temple Meads
(20)1V54 1445Bristol Temple Meads-1543Exeter St Davids
(21)2T22 1628Exeter St Davids-1722Paignton
-------------------------
100516
(22)2F07 0634Paignton-0650Newton Abbot
(23)2C42 0728Newton Abbot-1016Penzance
(24)2P85 1046Penzance-1054St Erth
(25)2A15 1118St Erth-1129St Ives
(26)2A18 1203St Ives-1216St Erth
(27)1A89 1313St Erth-1342Truro
(28)2F81 1420Truro-1444Falmouth Docks
(29)2T81 1450Falmouth Docks-1518Truro
(30)2P92 1527Truro-1617Liskeard
(31)2L89 1641Liskeard-1712Looe
(32)2L90 1715Looe-1743Liskeard
(33)2E88 1814Liskeard-1925Newton Abbot
(34)2T27 2013Newton Abbot-2032Paignton
-------------------------
120516
(35)1M29 0702Newton Abbot-1119Stoke on Trent
(36)1K12 1233Stoke on Trent-1326Derby
(37)2N43 1413Derby-1441Nottingham
-------------------------
130516
(38)2W03 0712Nottingham-0917Leeds
(39)1E64 0943Leeds-1114Newcastle
(40)2N29 1222Newcastle-1352Carlisle
(41)9M56 1408Carlisle-1539Warrington Bank Quay
(42)1L14 1619Warrington Central-1831Nottingham
-------------------------
140516
(43)1B13 0632Nottingham-0659Leicester
(44)1N40 0710Leicester-0803Birmingham New St
(45)1H15 0912Birmingham Snow Hill-1108Marylebone
(46)1P28 1230London Liverpool St-1343Ipswich
(47)2W20 1520Ipswich-1638Cambridge
(48)2H49 1704Cambridge-1711Whittlesford Parkway
-------------------------
160516
(49)2H05 0600Whittlesford Parkway-0628Bishops Stortford
(50)1B10 0635Bishops Stortford-0644Stansted Airport
-------------------------
180516
(51)1B91 1700Stansted Airport-1733Tottenham Hale
(52)2Y61 1915London Waterloo-2002Godalming
-------------------------
190516
(53)2P24 0856Godalming-0937Clapham Jct
(54)2P49 1609Clapham Jct-1651Godalming
-------------------------
200516
(55)2P92 0735Godalming-0743Guildford
(56)2O29 0818Guildford-0859Gatwick Airport
(57)1W16 0910Gatwick Airport-1105 Bedford
(58)2S12 1155Bedford-1238Bletchley
(59)1Y33 1250Bletchley-1349Coventry
(60)1O18 1425Coventry-1541Reading
(61)2O45 1651Reading-1735Guildford
(62)2P53 1754Guildford-1802Godalming
-------------------------
210516
(63)2P11 0734Godalming-0815Havant
(64)1N59 0838Havant-0919Southampton Central
(65)1W06 0930Southampton Central-1049London Waterloo
(66)2B30 1202London Fenchurch St-1256Southend Central
(67)2K73 1410Southend Victoria-1501Stratford
(68)2P49 1615London Waterloo-1701Godalming
-------------------------
220516
(69)2P20 0756Godalming-0850London Waterloo
(70)1J20 0937London St Pancras-1015Ashford
(71)2A34 1046Ashford-1107Hollingbourne
(72)2A38 1307Hollingbourne-1421London Victoria
(73)2A36 1432London Victoria-1503Redhill
(74)2V57 1620Redhill-1658Guildford
(75)2P53 1742Guildford-1750Godalming
-------------------------
230516
(76)2P18 0725Godalming-0733Guildford
(77)2V53 0813Guildford-0900Reading
(78)1W21 0953Reading-1134Worcester Foregate Street
(79)1W02 1249Worcester Foregate Street-1347Hereford
(80)1W16 1508Hereford-1710Manchester Piccadilly
-------------------------
240516
(81)1D33 0850Manchester Piccadilly-1051Bangor
(82)1G40 1200Bangor-1222Llandudno Jct
(83)2D15 1235Llandudno Jct-1245Llandudno
(84)1H90 1440Llandudno-1654Manchester Piccadilly
(85)2H94 1721Manchester Piccadilly-1816Buxton
(86)2H03 1930Buxton-2028Manchester Piccadilly
-------------------------
250516
(87)2J25 0831Ashton under Lyne-0841Manchester Victoria
(88)2N99 0924Manchester Victoria-1045Blackpool North
(89)1B23 1311Blackpool North-1447Halifax
(90)2W79 1620Halifax-1645Huddersfield
(91)2M81 1745Huddersfield-1816Ashton under Lyne
-------------------------
260516
(92)2S10 0708Manchester Piccadilly-0830Sheffield
(93)1B68 0910Sheffield-1049Cleethorpes
(94)2F89 1255Cleethorpes-1303Grimsby Town
(95)1B83 1434Grimsby Town-1608Sheffield
(96)1C67 1649Sheffield-1659Chesterfield
-------------------------
270516
(97)2A13 0620Matlock-0654Derby
(98)1O06 0706Derby-1113Bournemouth
(99)1W18 1259Bournemouth-1419Woking
(100)2F42 1432Woking-1442Weybridge
(101)2S46 1503Weybridge-1540Feltham
-------------------------

 

[DJ737]

Only concern I have Is the connection between 1F89 & 1Y41 at Leeds on the 26th May.

The inbound train arrives on 16A and the outbound 1 min later is on 17B according to Real Train Times, is that connection able to be made? or am I going to enjoy a pint and a smoke at Leeds?

 

[rg177]

I have made a 30 second connection that way (It was a flat zero on paper but we arrived in at 0839 and 30 seconds) but I would most certainly not recommend it as unless you are bang on time (I caught the 1504 arrival on Friday and it got in at 1509) or even early its nigh on impossible to make.

However, you can have a +7 at York (1438 arrival at York) onto the 1445 to Penzance all the way through to Chesterfield for 1605, unless you have an aversion to Voyagers!

 

[30907]

I have made a 30 second connection that way (It was a flat zero on paper but we arrived in at 0839 and 30 seconds) but I would most certainly not recommend it as unless you are bang on time (I caught the 1504 arrival on Friday and it got in at 1509) or even early its nigh on impossible to make.

Seconded! Even at 3pm the front end of Platform 16 at Leeds can be quite congested - and you might as well take the alternative route back.

 

[Techniquest]

Like the others, I wouldn't push your luck on that connection at Leeds. You would still realistically want a +3 on that to push through the crowds.

I've only skimmed through the plan but it looks good so far. If I can find the time before the trip I'll advise better, but generally speaking it looks all good!

 

[rg177]

Seconded! Even at 3pm the front end of Platform 16 at Leeds can be quite congested - and you might as well take the alternative route back.

Ah yes indeed, the only reason I made the connection last time was because I was at the very front of the train and had nobody else in my way.

Last Friday trying to pick out my girlfriend from the utter mob on the platform was bad enough, never mind trying to run through it for a train!

 

[Iskra]

I wouldn't do that connection at Leeds. TPE are very unreliable and as others have said Leeds is a big, busy station where trains can often be held on the approaches.

 

[DJ737]

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll go with the York option, as I have a bus to get at Chesterfield.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Good plan, and should be enjoyable for you.

Personally, I'd be looking at Lamphey to Milford Haven via Pembroke and a bus, rather than via Whitland, but don't know if the timetables will fit your plans.

I concur with the avoid changing at Leeds sentiments expressed by others. Definitely a station designed by a committee

 

[DJ737]

Good plan, and should be enjoyable for you.

Personally, I'd be looking at Lamphey to Milford Haven via Pembroke and a bus, rather than via Whitland, but don't know if the timetables will fit your plans.

I've got a Britrail pass, So I am going to avoid buses wherever possible and the connection from Lamphey to Milford Haven at Whitland is good, Back at Whitland after Milford Haven is a pint at the pub next door to the station and again after getting back from Fishguard Harbour before connecting back to Lamphey. (if the weather is OK might even break train 16 at Tenby for two hours and a pint or two)

 

[D841 Roebuck]

I've got a Britrail pass, So I am going to avoid buses wherever possible and the connection from Lamphey to Milford Haven at Whitland is good, Back at Whitland after Milford Haven is a pint at the pub next door to the station and again after getting back from Fishguard Harbour before connecting back to Lamphey. (if the weather is OK might even break train 16 at Tenby for two hours and a pint or two)

That makes good sense. Hope your pints are pleasant!

 

[DJ737]

The pints will be pleasant, considering the crap I have to drink in Australia.

Most trains are planned with a connection which includes time for a quick visit to a Wetherspoons.

 

[Zamracene749]

You'll get a better pint on your break in Newcastle in the Bridge Hotel or the Victoria Comet than you will in either of the nearby 'spoons Sadly, you'll be too early for the top beer option, The Split Chimp micropub.

 

[DJ737]

Thanks for Newcastle tips, I'll have a look at google maps and see whats where in relation to the station.

 

[Techniquest]

Having had some revolting beer in New York recently, I have to ask what beer you have over in Australia!

 

[DJ737]

The beer is generally mass produced gassy rubbish that is rather expensive at about $10/£5 a pint, I tend to stick with white wine at $4 a bottle I'm looking forward to some real ale.

 

[Techniquest]

Ooh good man with the real ale! Plenty to choose from, and our pints are generally much more sensibly priced (my local choices are less than £3 a pint) too! Certainly so in Spoons, and if you can't find a decent beer here there's something wrong!

 

[DJ737]

Updated train plan, ditched Scarborough and added Cleethorpes, of course this could possibly change due to late running or me staying too long in a pub or both

I guessing reservations will be needed on the XC trains.

030516
2T21 0754Walthamstow Central-0814London Liverpool St
1B25 1045Paddington-1344Swansea
2E24 1400Swansea-1602Lamphey
-------------------------
050516
2E03 0710Lamphey-1016Cardiff Central
1T18 1055Cardiff Central-1136Pontypridd
2A28 1312Pontypridd-1343Aberdare
2Y65 1522Aberdare-1624Cardiff Central
1B46 1648Cardiff Central-1743Swansea
1V44 1814Swansea-1955Tenby
2E32 2000Tenby-2017Lamphey
-----------------------
060516
2E09 0920Lamphey-1006Whitland
1V31 1014Whitland-1052Milford Haven
1W16 1108Milford Haven-1144Whitland
1B96 1245Whitland-1322Fishguard Harbour
1B97 1329Fishguard Harbour-1404Whitland
2E24 1506Whitland-1602Lamphey
-------------------------
090516
2E09 0920Lamphey-1024Carmarthern
1W60 1103Carmarthen-1248Cardiff Central
1F19 1330Cardiff Central-1418Bristol Temple Meads
1V54 1445Bristol Temple Meads-1543Exeter St Davids
2T22 1628Exeter St Davids-1722Paignton
-------------------------
100516
2F07 0634Paignton-0650Newton Abbot
2C42 0728Newton Abbot-1016Penzance
2P85 1046Penzance-1054St Erth
2A15 1118St Erth-1129St Ives
2A18 1203St Ives-1216St Erth
1A89 1313St Erth-1342Truro
2F81 1420Truro-1444Falmouth Docks
2T81 1450Falmouth Docks-1518Truro
2P92 1527Truro-1617Liskeard
2L89 1641Liskeard-1712Looe
2L90 1715Looe-1743Liskeard
2E88 1814Liskeard-1925Newton Abbot
2T27 2013Newton Abbot-2032Paignton
-------------------------
110516
1M29 0702Newton Abbot-0742Exeter St Davids
2B72 0831Exeter St Davids-0939Barnstaple
2F27 1143Barnstaple-1318Exmouth
2T21 1524Exmouth-1623Teignmouth
2T24 1800Teignmouth-1830Paignton
-------------------------
120516
1M29 0702Newton Abbot-1119Stoke on Trent
1K10 1133Stoke on Trent-1157Uttoxeter
1K12 1257Uttoxeter-1326Derby
2N43 1413Derby-1441Nottingham
2W20 1626Nottingham-1657Mansfield
2D22 1818Mansfield-1851Nottingham
-------------------------
130516
2W03 0712Nottingham-0917Leeds
2C18 0929Leeds-1044York
1S09 1055York-1151Newcastle
2N29 1222Newcastle-1352Carlisle
9M56 1408Carlisle-1539Warrington Bank Quay
1L15 1719Warrington Central-1941Nottingham
-------------------------
140516
1B13 0632Nottingham-0659Leicester
1N40 0710Leicester-0803Birmingham New St
1H15 0912Birmingham Snow Hill-1108Marylebone
1P28 1230London Liverpool St-1343Ipswich
2W20 1520Ipswich-1638Cambridge
2H49 1704Cambridge-1711Whittlesford Parkway
-------------------------
160516
2H05 0600Whittlesford Parkway-0628Bishops Stortford
1B10 0635Bishops Stortford-0644Stansted Airport
------------------------
180516
1B91 1700Stansted Airport-1733Tottenham Hale
2Y61 1915London Waterloo-2002Godalming
-------------------------
190516
2P92 0735Godalming-0743Guildford
2O29 0818Guildford-0859Gatwick Airport
1W16 0910Gatwick Airport-1105 Bedford
2S12 1155Bedford-1238Bletchley
1Y33 1250Bletchley-1349Coventry
1O18 1425Coventry-1541Reading
2O45 1651Reading-1735Guildford
2P53 1754Guildford-1802Godalming
-------------------------
200516
2P24 0856Godalming-0937Clapham Jct
2P49 1609Clapham Jct-1651Godalming
------------------------
210516
2P11 0734Godalming-0815Havant
1N59 0838Havant-0919Southampton Central
1W06 0930Southampton Central-1049London Waterloo
2B30 1211West Ham-1256Southend Central
2K73 1410Southend Victoria-1501Stratford
2P49 1615London Waterloo-1701Godalming
-------------------------
220516
2P20 0756Godalming-0850London Waterloo
1J20 0937London St Pancras-1015Ashford
2A34 1046Ashford-1107Hollingbourne
2A38 1307Hollingbourne-1421London Victoria
2A36 1432London Victoria-1503Redhill
2V57 1620Redhill-1658Guildford
2P53 1742Guildford-1750Godalming
-------------------------
230516
2P18 0725Godalming-0733Guildford
2V53 0813Guildford-0900Reading
1W21 0953Reading-1134Worcester Foregate Street
1W02 1249Worcester Foregate Street-1347Hereford
1W16 1508Hereford-1710Manchester Piccadilly
-------------------------
240516
1D33 0850Manchester Piccadilly-1051Bangor
1G40 1200Bangor-1222Llandudno Jct
2D15 1235Llandudno Jct-1245Llandudno
1H90 1440Llandudno-1654Manchester Piccadilly
1P52 1725Manchester Piccadilly-1737Stalybridge
2F85 1847Stalybridge-1850Ashton under Lyne
-------------------------
250516
2J25 0831Ashton under Lyne-0841Manchester Victoria
2N99 0924Manchester Victoria-1045Blackpool North
1B23 1311Blackpool North-1447Halifax
2W79 1620Halifax-1645Huddersfield
2M81 1745Huddersfield-1816Ashton under Lyne
-------------------------
260516
2S10 0708Manchester Piccadilly-0830Sheffield
1B68 0910Sheffield-1049Cleethorpes
2F89 1255Cleethorpes-1303Grimsby Town
1B83 1434Grimsby Town-1608Sheffield
1C67 1649Sheffield-1659Chesterfield
-------------------------
270516
2A13 0620Matlock-0654Derby
1O06 0706Derby-1113Bournemouth
1W18 1259Bournemouth-1419Woking
2F42 1432Woking-1442Weybridge
2S46 1503Weybridge-1540Feltham
-------------------------

Cheers
DJ737

 

[DarloRich]

very good plan.

May I remind you of the old military maxim: No plan survives contact with the enemy be prepared to change on the hoof

 

[Techniquest]

I see you've an hour and a bit to visit my local Spoons, The King's Fee in Hereford. About a 5 minute walk from the station, if you want directions I'll happily provide them!

 

[DJ737]

The Kings Fee is on my list and why I put Hereford on my list of journeys
I've already downloaded the Wetherspoons app to guide me from rail stations to the nearest Wetherspoons.
Average cost per train is now down to £4.81 at this rate I'll be spending more in the pubs than on the rail pass.

 

[Techniquest]

Ah good stuff, well prepared I see! 23rd May is a Monday I see, if I'm about I may have to get myself into town!