preordering rail tickets out of London Heathrow

hmm I expect if you are going to Cornwall it will be via Paddington using First Great Western trains as i think this is the Cornwall hub from london. I would not bother buying your ticket from Heathrow to Paddington until the day as the price will not be any different really.

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/

goes from Heathrow to Paddington every 15 mins i think.

I would then buy a separate ticket down to wherever in cornwall you need on the

I would suggest either buying flexible ticket (although they will be more expensive). You should check what type of ticket you are buying because some allow you to take any train while other (cheaper tickets) need to be used on the exact train you book. When you are looking at the ticket prices you should be able to click on the name and see the conditions of use.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Train-times-and-tickets/Ticket-types/Leisure-tickets

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/

Hope this helps

I am wondering how crucial it is to select the right time when pre-ordering rail tickets>>

gatormama - it very much depends on what sort of ticket you have bought - see the info on the website below:

http://www.seat61.com/UK-train-travel.htm#30%20second%20guide%20to%20UK%20rail%20fares

if you get tickets for a specific train, [which will normally be cheaper than "off peak",], then you are indeed limited to that train.

if you get an ordinary off-peak ticket, then you are usually ok so long as you avoid peak-time travel. so if you are arriving at LHR at about breakfast time, you will have all day to get your train - normally the peak times are early morning and evening.

the only way to be totally safe is to get an open ticket - which will probably be VERY expensive.

hope you don't mind me asking - do you qualify for a senior railcard [ie 60 or over?] that could keep the cost down! you could buy the tickets with the discount then get the card when you get here. you only have to show the card when your ticket is checked, not when you buy it on-line.

where are you going in Cornwall? [not being nosy - I live there!]

Thanks to both, HG001 and annhig for "schooling" me in the ways of rail travel in your country. As you might have guessed, I am a real neophyte, and this is our first attempt. We (my husband adult daughter and I) have traveled for many years, always with our own set of wheels. This year, we have decided to go easy on the driving, and take trains a great deal more. We will still hire a car while in Cornwall, the Cotswolds, and the Yorkshire dales/moors, but want to train it in between. Don't know if it is more trouble than it is worth, but we'll give it a try.
Because of your kind suggestions, I now know about the railcard and it does seem to be a worthwhile purchase. (yes, annhig, we are VERY eligible for the senior card and will definitely get those). Is it necessary to buy them before arriving? And to answer your second question, we will be staying in Truro as a base and traveling out from there and I don't think you're nosy at all!
So if I understand you both correctly, I can preorder three off peak fares, and will have pretty much all of the day to use them?
Thanks so much for your help. I should be somewhat of a pro when this trip is finished!

Because of your kind suggestions, I now know about the railcard and it does seem to be a worthwhile purchase. (yes, annhig, we are VERY eligible for the senior card and will definitely get those). Is it necessary to buy them before arriving?>>

no, you don't need to purchase the senior railcard before you buy your tickets [in fact, I'm not sure that you can, from what I've read elsewhere, at least not from outside the UK] nor do you need them when you buy your tickets, but you do need them when you show your tickets to the ticket inspector. so you'll need to give yourselves time to buy the passes before you get the train - and bring passport type photos with you too, as well as proof of age as well of course.

So if I understand you both correctly, I can preorder three off peak fares, and will have pretty much all of the day to use them?>>

yep - so long as you travel "off peak" [which normally means between 9.30 am and 5 pm, but do check when you buy which the restrictions on that route re] you will be fine.

And to answer your second question, we will be staying in Truro as a base and traveling out from there and I don't think you're nosy at all! >>

do let me know if you'd like restaurant/sightseeing tips for this portion of your trip - I work in Truro so know a little bit about it and its surroundings! BTW, it might be easier to keep your car for the Cotswolds portion of your trip - from Truro you can be at the southern end of the Cotswolds in 3 hours if you head up the motorway [M5/M4] and then take the Fosse way [old roman road] towards Cirencester.

happy travels - and planning of course!

PS - when are you planning to take this trip?

We loved Cirencester and the small towns all around. We spent 2 weeks there and could have easily spent 2 more. Try to go to the cities when market day is there. It is a lot of fun walking among the vendors and buying stuff just like a local. Food choices were wonderful also.

"nor do you need them when you buy your tickets,"

You don't need to have a Railcard to buy tickets on the web, or to collect them from a ticket machine. You DO need to have a Railcard with you to buy tickets you're claiming the oldie discount on from a physical ticket office. However old you look, most OAPs haven't bought one, so you get asked to show it on purchase more often than not.

Ahh, the helpful pooch. I noticed that the human seemed to have disappeared from the searches - I hope he hasn't been nasty to our transatlantic friends and been banned.

"do let me know if you'd like restaurant/sightseeing tips for this portion of your trip - I work in Truro so know a little bit about it and its surroundings! BTW, it might be easier to keep your car for the Cotswolds portion of your trip - from Truro you can be at the southern end of the Cotswolds in 3 hours if you head up the motorway [M5/M4] and then take the Fosse way [old roman road] towards Cirencester. "

annhig...yes, we would love some suggestions. We will be in the Truro area for three days the end of April. And we have already revised our way of thinking...DH and daughter (the drivers) have reconsidered, and we will keep car through Cotswolds, (we will be staying in Stowe-on-the-Wold) also for three days, and then drive to Helmsley for 4 before returning to London for 4 days, training from York.

This is our fourth trip to England, but first for Cornwall and Yorkshire, Looking forward to all of it! Thanks in advance for your advice.

the end of april is a bit late for some of the gardens where the main flush of magnolias and camellias will probably be over by then, but you could still have a very nice time.

I don't know what your particular interests are, but a 3 day stay in the area could look something like this:

Day 1- I suggest exploring the NT gardens at Trelissick and then getting the King Harry Ferry over to the Roseland to spend the rest of the day exploring the Roseland, ending up at St. Mawes for its views across the Carrick roads to Falmouth.

Day 2 - possibly the morning at the Eden Project and the afternoon in Padstow or Port Isaac -[aka Port Wenn if you are doc martin fans]

Day 3 - I would head for Penzance and the Penlee Art Gallery and museum [great cafe] which houses the best collection of the work of the "Newlyn School" artists that you are likely to find, followed either by a trip down to Newlyn itself and Mousehole, or across the peninsular to the Gurnard's Head [terrific gastropub there] for a walk along the coast or a drive up to St. Ives.

Day 4 - oops, you've only got 3 days - I've only just got started! There are a load more places to see - gardens, ancient and not so ancient mine-workings, old houses, castles, pretty villages, galleries, depending on your interests. just let me know what they are!

Well, I can see already that we have not allotted nearly enough time for a proper go of Cornwall, so I guess we must settle for a quick two day go around, based from Truro. We will be there in late April, and I have become a little concerned about the traffic snarl ups in certain places, particularly St. Ives. Or are we early enough that this will not be much of a problem? Places of interest are the aforementioned St. Ives, and around the coast to Pendeen, Porthcurno, Mousehole and St. Michael's Mount. Then Day 2 down to the Lizard Penin., Trebah Gardens, St. Mawes and back to Truro. I know this itinerary leaves off a great many other places we would also like to see, but I just have no idea of the drive times, and certainly would like to take a somewhat leisurely approach to all of this. Am open to any suggestions you might have. Main interests are the views, quaint, untouristy places and good seafood twice a day! Am I leaving off some "must-sees"? (I have a feeling that answer is a resounding yes,) so fill me in. Thanks!

Hi. gatormama,

you should be OK with St. ives at the end of april [after the end of the Easter hols, i think] and your Day 1 looks fine, though you may arrive at St/ michael's mount too late to get over to the Mount itself. Here's the website - it closes at 5.30 in summer.

http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/plan-your-visit/

if you are in the area at the right time [as you may well be if you have spent the morning in St. Ives] , i can strongly recommend the following pub for lunch:

http://www.gurnardshead.co.uk/Eat.aspx

if actually visiting, rather than seeing the Mount is a priority, you could go there first, then work your way west, and then north. that would have the advantage of having the sun behind you which would be good.

you could then have lunch either in Mousehole [the Old Coastguard is the place to go, IMHO] or at the Minack theatre at Porthcurno- they have a very nice cafe, but check whether there is a matinee performance that day, because if there is, they will be closed to visitors. The Telecom museum is fascinating, but if you want to see the Mount AND any museums/galleries in St. Ives, you may not have time for it.

As for your Day 2, i think you may be being over ambitious. what do you want to see on the Lizard? - the landscape on the way there isn't very exciting, [in fact, it's a bit weird] though the coast, especially round the most southerly tip of the country and Coverack is outstanding, however you won't really see it unless you go for a walk, which will cut into your day.

then you have Trebah and St. Mawes on your list - how are you thinking of getting between the two? the best way would be via the king Harry Ferry - here's the link:

http://www.falriver.co.uk/home

and you would be going past Trelissik gardens on the way - [my favourite!]

As for driving times and distances, really the distances do not give much indication of the time that it will take eg it's probably only 30 miles from Truro to the Lizard village, but it could take you well over an hour. then at least 45 mins back to Trebah, and an hour from Trebah to St. Mawes. and that's before you've actually stopped to do anything.

an alternative Day 2 could involve catching the boat from Truro down the Fal to Trelissick, then down to Falmouth for lunch [loads of great seafood restaurants]. catch the boat over to St. Mawes for the afternoon [nice walk round to the Castle] and then a cream tea before getting the boat back to Falmouth, and the bus/train back to Truro. [but check the boats first in the link above - they may be less frequent outside school holidays]

OR - drive to Glendurgan gardens, walk through to the village at the end and pick up the coast path, walk along to Helford Passage and have lunch at the pub there [lovely if a bit pricey] then walk back and see Trebah, having tea there. [excellent cafe but not much in the way of seafood]. drive back into Falmouth, see Pendennis Castle, then have a fish supper.

if you can't resist the Lizard, drive down to Coverack, walk out to the beach. then drive round to the most southerly point, and up to Trelowarren for lunch. [if you decide to do some serious walking here, go to Trelowarren for tea or even supper]. then drive round to Cadgwith, then into Mullion for tea. End up at the pub at Helford village for an early supper or drink before you head back to Truro.

hope this helps!

Thanks again, Ann. I guess it's better to have more suggestions than you can use, rather than the opposite. We look forward to it all, thanks to your generous help!

My pleasure, gatormama.

I hope that you have a wonderful time here.

"You don't need to have a Railcard to buy tickets on the web, or to collect them from a ticket machine."

The Flannerpooch isn't quite the universal expert he thinks he is, though he was very helpful while I was recently unable to contribute here.

He's usually too busy smelling round our local ticket office for dropped bits of sandwich to look at the Senior Railcard I pull out when we're off on our travels. And annhig, I suspect, is still too young to have one of her own.

There's no need for a photo to get one (and, for the record Anne, you don't need one for most oldie buspasses either). Just have your passport (or a UK driving licence) and enough time to fill the form in without annoying your fellow queuers.

Both gatormama and her DH need individual passes.