Darlington to Bristol

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

I might be going up to Darlington for the weekend of 21st/22nd March. I can get up there on a direct train for £60, or just £48 if I don't mind arriving till 14:59, so that's excellent. But coming back on on Sunday there is nothing under £100 and no direct trains listed at all. Even worse (cos I'll be taking a bike up there), every other service includes a bus. There seem to be two problems: LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) timetable not finalised beyond the end of February – but this need not matter as I'd rather take a direct XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) than travel via London; and XC services replaced by bus between Worcestershire Parkway and Gloucester – I presume there are engineering works.

Obviously I could just ride the bike from WOP to Gloucester. So I checked tickets from Darlington to WOP and they're more expensive than all the way to Bristol.  But at least they're direct. So I guess my question boils down to, are there any "clever splits" or other ways to reduce the cost, other routes? Thanks!

[Bmblbzzz]

Actually, it seems there's another question. I thought I'd solved it by going:
XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to Mordor Central (Birmingham New Street)
West Midlands to Worcester Shrub Hill
then the Great Malvern to Bristol train; but this is replaced by buses, all day, due to those same engineering works (I presume).

[ChrisB]

For those that don'tknow you, where is your starting (home) station?

[grahame]

How much is time an issue?
Do you hold a railcard?
Will you be doing any other rail travel while up in the Darlington area?

Last summer, adding in other journeys to be made, it made sense for me to use a North East Rover once I got to Sheffield.   Doesn't look like much lower in price, though gives you "free" travel on trains all across the North of England ... if you feel like trying (and reporting back) on the state of Northern!

Travel via Hereford or via Oxford?

[JontyMort]

...XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services replaced by bus between Worcestershire Parkway and Gloucester – I presume there are engineering works...

One can hear the conversation:

“We need to get Worcestershire Parkway open, minister.”

“Indeed, Sir Humphrey, the people of Worcestershire are fed up waiting for a station that’s been nearly finished for a year.”

“Sod the people of Worcestershire. We need it for running replacement buses.”

[Bmblbzzz]

For those that don'tknow you, where is your starting (home) station?

Starting from Bristol, but it's only the return leg that's a problem. Midway between Temple Meads and Parkway – well, quite a bit closer to TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) but PW^▸ (Permanent Way - the railway track) equally acceptable as a destination.

[Bmblbzzz]

How much is time an issue?
Do you hold a railcard?
Will you be doing any other rail travel while up in the Darlington area?

Last summer, adding in other journeys to be made, it made sense for me to use a North East Rover once I got to Sheffield.   Doesn't look like much lower in price, though gives you "free" travel on trains all across the North of England ... if you feel like trying (and reporting back) on the state of Northern!

Travel via Hereford or via Oxford?

Time not much of an issue at all.
Don't currently hold a railcard.
No other rail travel planned on this occasion but will be visiting York in the summer, so North East Rover might be worth investigating; but doesn't help with the problem south of Birmingham!
Thought of Hereford, didn't think of Oxford so will look at that.

[Bmblbzzz]

Via Oxford (to Reading) looks promising. 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Obviously I could just ride the bike from WOP to Gloucester.

This is clearly the best plan, especially if it includes a stop at the Lower Lode Inn. And the Boat at Ashleworth Quay. And...

(I'd consider splitting tickets at Birmingham, given that Birmingham-Worcester fares are quite reasonable.)

[Bmblbzzz]

Obviously I could just ride the bike from WOP to Gloucester.

This is clearly the best plan, especially if it includes a stop at the Lower Lode Inn. And the Boat at Ashleworth Quay. And...

(I'd consider splitting tickets at Birmingham, given that Birmingham-Worcester fares are quite reasonable.)

You know what, I've never stopped at the Lower Lode Inn, except to inquire about the ferry last September (it wasn't running).

[JontyMort]

Obviously I could just ride the bike from WOP to Gloucester.

This is clearly the best plan, especially if it includes a stop at the Lower Lode Inn. And the Boat at Ashleworth Quay. And...

(I'd consider splitting tickets at Birmingham, given that Birmingham-Worcester fares are quite reasonable.)

And north of Brum, splitting at Derby is always good, and sometimes Sheffield as well.