Birmingham Airport to Broadway, Worcestershire
Aug 8th, 2004, 12:00 AM
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Birmingham Airport to Broadway, Worcestershire
Hello All, I hope someone can answer to my question here. I need to visit Broadway, Worcestershire (WestMidlands?) and the nearest airport I found is Birmingham Airport. Does anybody know how to get to Broadway from that nearest airport besides by car (rails or bus). How is the transport in/out Broadway (flexible,runs daily,etc?).If someone knows any website regarding travelling to Broadway that would be great as well. Thank you so much!
Aug 8th, 2004, 01:24 AM
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There are regular buses, connecting with trains, to Evesham and Moreton in Marsh (as well as to Chipping Campden). They connect with virtually each train, Monday-Saturday
But using public transport from BHX would be a nightmare, involving getting a train from the airport to Birmingham New Street, changing onto a train to Worcester, then to Evesham then getting a bus. Though there are regular trains from the airport to Oxford, and to Warwick Parkway (handyish for Stratford)
Hire a car, or get your hotel to recommend an airport pickup service (the ones near me are in the wrong place for you, but they charge about £25 for a similar journey)
Details of all British public transport is now at www.transportdirect.info.
It's interactive (ie you have to ask very precise questions to get any answer at all), and the only full version I can find of the bus timetables is in hard copy. If you can't get the answers you want from transportdirect (which is still in trial mode, makes some funny mistakes, but seems a lot better than the sites the local authorities run), come back and leave an email. I'll send you a scanned copy of my printed timetable.
But since I'm spending the rest of the day either in the glorious Cotswold countryside, or thanking the good lord for giving us such a wonderful day (mercifully at a church that obsessively doesn't have the impertinent dress code its peers on the Continent seem to impose), it might be tomorrow before I get back to you.
But using public transport from BHX would be a nightmare, involving getting a train from the airport to Birmingham New Street, changing onto a train to Worcester, then to Evesham then getting a bus. Though there are regular trains from the airport to Oxford, and to Warwick Parkway (handyish for Stratford)
Hire a car, or get your hotel to recommend an airport pickup service (the ones near me are in the wrong place for you, but they charge about £25 for a similar journey)
Details of all British public transport is now at www.transportdirect.info.
It's interactive (ie you have to ask very precise questions to get any answer at all), and the only full version I can find of the bus timetables is in hard copy. If you can't get the answers you want from transportdirect (which is still in trial mode, makes some funny mistakes, but seems a lot better than the sites the local authorities run), come back and leave an email. I'll send you a scanned copy of my printed timetable.
But since I'm spending the rest of the day either in the glorious Cotswold countryside, or thanking the good lord for giving us such a wonderful day (mercifully at a church that obsessively doesn't have the impertinent dress code its peers on the Continent seem to impose), it might be tomorrow before I get back to you.
Aug 8th, 2004, 01:34 AM
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PS: BHX is a great gateway to the Coswolds from mainland Europe - and one or two Asian cities like Ashkebad.
But if you're starting from anywhere else outside Europe, and don't want to hire a car, Heathrow is really the easiest option. Heathrow Express to Paddington, cross-platform connection to the train for Moreton, then bus to Broadway.
But if you're starting from anywhere else outside Europe, and don't want to hire a car, Heathrow is really the easiest option. Heathrow Express to Paddington, cross-platform connection to the train for Moreton, then bus to Broadway.
Aug 8th, 2004, 01:36 AM
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Yikes this is a tricky trip by public transport. Car is by far the easiest option. (approx 1 hour).
Broadway no longer has an operation Railway Station with timetabled trains
Train can be done though. (Each will take 2-3 hours)
Option 1
Virgin train service from BHX to Oxford then pick up the the First Great Western Link Service to Moreton in the Marsh (Then get a taxi or bus to broadway)
Option 2
Take the Central train service (or any train) to Birmingham New St (loads of these) - then pick up the Central train service to Worcerster Foregate St - then pick up the First Great Western Link Service to Evesham and get a bus or taxi to Broadway.
If travelling at the weekend be advised that a) less trains run b) they are subject to timetabled delay (i.e. no compensation) due to engineering works (especially during the summer).
Also be advised that travelling at peakl times on certain routes is v v expensive, and it may work out cheaper to hire a car.
A link for checking the times out is
http://www.thamestrains.co.uk/
Broadway no longer has an operation Railway Station with timetabled trains
Train can be done though. (Each will take 2-3 hours)
Option 1
Virgin train service from BHX to Oxford then pick up the the First Great Western Link Service to Moreton in the Marsh (Then get a taxi or bus to broadway)
Option 2
Take the Central train service (or any train) to Birmingham New St (loads of these) - then pick up the Central train service to Worcerster Foregate St - then pick up the First Great Western Link Service to Evesham and get a bus or taxi to Broadway.
If travelling at the weekend be advised that a) less trains run b) they are subject to timetabled delay (i.e. no compensation) due to engineering works (especially during the summer).
Also be advised that travelling at peakl times on certain routes is v v expensive, and it may work out cheaper to hire a car.
A link for checking the times out is
http://www.thamestrains.co.uk/
Aug 8th, 2004, 02:28 AM
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Assuming you haven't already booked flights:
Fly into London Heathrow as per normal, then a train from London is far more frequent that those from other parts of the country. Personally, I'd hire a car as suggested, it's easy and ultra flexible. In the summer, a drop head coupe is delightful to zoom along the country roads in.
Fly into London Heathrow as per normal, then a train from London is far more frequent that those from other parts of the country. Personally, I'd hire a car as suggested, it's easy and ultra flexible. In the summer, a drop head coupe is delightful to zoom along the country roads in.
Aug 8th, 2004, 08:14 AM
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I flew into Heathrow yesterday morning at 8am at the end of a business trip. It took us 25 minutes to get to the gate (due to congestion) and 15 mins to get to the baggage carousel (immigration was quick because i'm English - otherwise add extra time) There was then a 40 (yes 40) minute delay until the luggage came out. Heathrow is an absolute nightmare. Avoid it!
Birmingham, is a much smaller airport and rarely takes longer than 30 mins to clear. Its a 2 minute monorail link to Birmingham International where you can pick up the Virgin train to Oxford. There is a frequent service.
Birmingham, is a much smaller airport and rarely takes longer than 30 mins to clear. Its a 2 minute monorail link to Birmingham International where you can pick up the Virgin train to Oxford. There is a frequent service.
Aug 8th, 2004, 08:52 AM
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Thank you for the quick reply.
Basically the closest station to Broadway would be Moreton-in-Marsh? Is it a small station and are they flexible in hours (having train links that is frequent from big cities?).Can I purchase tickets at the station easily?. I am seriously considering taking the Virgin link from BHX to Oxford. Would Moreton-in-Marsh or Evesham be easier to travel from Oxford to Broadway (how many hrs approximately and what kind of train). Thanks again for the help!!
Basically the closest station to Broadway would be Moreton-in-Marsh? Is it a small station and are they flexible in hours (having train links that is frequent from big cities?).Can I purchase tickets at the station easily?. I am seriously considering taking the Virgin link from BHX to Oxford. Would Moreton-in-Marsh or Evesham be easier to travel from Oxford to Broadway (how many hrs approximately and what kind of train). Thanks again for the help!!
Aug 8th, 2004, 09:05 AM
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The train will go from Oxford calling at a number of stops probably terminating at Worcester Foregate St (not 100% on this).
Moreton in the Marsh and Evesham are on the same line. From Oxford, it will call at Moreton in the Marsh before Evesham so it will be cheaper and quicker to get off at Moreton in the Marsh. If coming via Worcester Foregate St (And this may be slightly cheaper as it's a commuter train service - as opposed to the Virgin intercity service to Oxford)you will reach Evesham before Moreton in the Marsh.
The Virgin train to Oxford will almost certainly be a large modern intercity diesel voyager train - with buffet car etc.
Not sure what the trains will be beween Oxford and Moreton in the Marsh - but I don't think they will be big. You're probably looking at a 3-4 carriage commuting diesel train that may have a trolley service on it. Outside rush hour you should ahve no problem getting a seat on all services.
Most trains are also pretty clean these days, and you should find staff to assist you. Since privatisation a lot (not all) of the train services are a lot more customer focused.
Broadway is roughly midway between MITM and Evesham, at about 8 miles or so from each.
Moreton in the Marsh and Evesham are on the same line. From Oxford, it will call at Moreton in the Marsh before Evesham so it will be cheaper and quicker to get off at Moreton in the Marsh. If coming via Worcester Foregate St (And this may be slightly cheaper as it's a commuter train service - as opposed to the Virgin intercity service to Oxford)you will reach Evesham before Moreton in the Marsh.
The Virgin train to Oxford will almost certainly be a large modern intercity diesel voyager train - with buffet car etc.
Not sure what the trains will be beween Oxford and Moreton in the Marsh - but I don't think they will be big. You're probably looking at a 3-4 carriage commuting diesel train that may have a trolley service on it. Outside rush hour you should ahve no problem getting a seat on all services.
Most trains are also pretty clean these days, and you should find staff to assist you. Since privatisation a lot (not all) of the train services are a lot more customer focused.
Broadway is roughly midway between MITM and Evesham, at about 8 miles or so from each.
Aug 8th, 2004, 09:08 AM
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There will be a service virtually every hour from early morning to late at night on the Oxford to Birmingham International route. As for the First Western Line to Moreton in the Marsh, check it out on the web - but i'd be surpised if it wasn't at least once every hour or two during the day.
Aug 8th, 2004, 11:18 AM
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marsha9: As you can probably tell from the answers so far - the trip will be complicated and pretty time consuming. Are you planning this as a day trip? If so, you'll have to get back from Broadway to B'ham as well.
The travel to/from will take much of a full day. You would be better off hiring a local car service. (The BEST solution is a rental car but you say you don't want to do that)
If, on the other hand, you are staying over in Broadway and have more time - then the roundabout journey through Oxford makes some sense.
The travel to/from will take much of a full day. You would be better off hiring a local car service. (The BEST solution is a rental car but you say you don't want to do that)
If, on the other hand, you are staying over in Broadway and have more time - then the roundabout journey through Oxford makes some sense.
Aug 8th, 2004, 12:35 PM
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These are the trains from Oxford that have a bus connection to Broadway at Evesham: Most don't accept seat reservations.
M-F:
0708 arr Bway 0850 (seats bookable on this train)
0857 arr Bway 1101
1046 arr Bway 1230
1206, change Moreton, arr Bway 1357
1350 arr Bway 1548
1457, change Moreton, arr Bway 1642
1624 arr Bway 1840 (subject to serious overcrowding at Oxford
1806, arriving Moreton, arriving Bway 1923 (seats on the train bookable, and seriously overcrowded if you haven't booked)
Trains from the railway station next to Birmingham Airport are supposed to leave at 13 mins past each hour from 0713, and take 65 mins to Oxford, where it's an uncomfortable cross-track connection. Note though:
- The BHX-Oxford service is operated by Virgin Cross Country, the most unreliable railway company in Europe. Arbitrary cancellations are not uncommon, and less than 80% of its train run on time. However, as would be expected from its inept, self-promoting figureheaad, the trains are pretty, even though they're as hopless as their undertrained and overstressed staff.
- The railway station at Oxford is an uncomforatable distance from the town, and has no left luggage office. An hour layover here affords little more amusement than to contemplate the Business School, whose mildly beautiful inside (invisible from the outside) compensates for its hideous exterior (all too visible from the station).
- Birmingham airport has that ridiculous system they have at Newark and JFK where to get to the railway station you have to get a bus or train from the terminal. At Birmingham, they change the transport system ever year or two, but currenly it's a two-rail monorail, going every couple of minutes and taking a couple of minutes.
- timetables are different on Saturdays, but the principle is pretty much the same.
M-F:
0708 arr Bway 0850 (seats bookable on this train)
0857 arr Bway 1101
1046 arr Bway 1230
1206, change Moreton, arr Bway 1357
1350 arr Bway 1548
1457, change Moreton, arr Bway 1642
1624 arr Bway 1840 (subject to serious overcrowding at Oxford
1806, arriving Moreton, arriving Bway 1923 (seats on the train bookable, and seriously overcrowded if you haven't booked)
Trains from the railway station next to Birmingham Airport are supposed to leave at 13 mins past each hour from 0713, and take 65 mins to Oxford, where it's an uncomfortable cross-track connection. Note though:
- The BHX-Oxford service is operated by Virgin Cross Country, the most unreliable railway company in Europe. Arbitrary cancellations are not uncommon, and less than 80% of its train run on time. However, as would be expected from its inept, self-promoting figureheaad, the trains are pretty, even though they're as hopless as their undertrained and overstressed staff.
- The railway station at Oxford is an uncomforatable distance from the town, and has no left luggage office. An hour layover here affords little more amusement than to contemplate the Business School, whose mildly beautiful inside (invisible from the outside) compensates for its hideous exterior (all too visible from the station).
- Birmingham airport has that ridiculous system they have at Newark and JFK where to get to the railway station you have to get a bus or train from the terminal. At Birmingham, they change the transport system ever year or two, but currenly it's a two-rail monorail, going every couple of minutes and taking a couple of minutes.
- timetables are different on Saturdays, but the principle is pretty much the same.
Aug 8th, 2004, 05:22 PM
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To Janis: I am planning to stay in Broadway for a while & have not yet investigate how to get back from Broadway-Birmingham Airport. Thanks for pointing that out though! 
flanneruk: The timetable from Oxford station u mentioned earlier which is very helpful, u typed down "arr to Bway" does it arrived directly in Broadway (since I thought there is no longer station there and the nearest stations would be Moreton in Marsh and Evesham).
flanneruk: The timetable from Oxford station u mentioned earlier which is very helpful, u typed down "arr to Bway" does it arrived directly in Broadway (since I thought there is no longer station there and the nearest stations would be Moreton in Marsh and Evesham).
Aug 8th, 2004, 05:47 PM
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flanner can answer this for you but just in case he doesn't see your new question . . . . .
That notation means the bus connection from Evesham arrives in Broadway at the times indicated.
Since you are staying over in Broadway the train/bus connection will work for you (as long as you aren't toting a ton of luggage)
Once you are in B'way you can ask your B&B or host how they advise you getting back to Birmingham. There may be a local driver that will negotiate a good rate for you.
That notation means the bus connection from Evesham arrives in Broadway at the times indicated.
Since you are staying over in Broadway the train/bus connection will work for you (as long as you aren't toting a ton of luggage)
Once you are in B'way you can ask your B&B or host how they advise you getting back to Birmingham. There may be a local driver that will negotiate a good rate for you.
Aug 8th, 2004, 10:05 PM
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Janis has interpreted me correctly.
And for the further avoidance of doubt: all these trains go to both Evesham and Moreton: there's no further train change needed. But the bus connection goes from Evesham only, except where I've said 'change Moreton' (which, amazingly, is meant to mean that there's a connection only from Moreton.
The buses depart a hundred yards or so from the station (in the Budgens supermarket car park at Moreton, and on the High Street at Evesham). They are operated by different companies from the train (by Castleways Wincombe from Evesham, and by First from Moreton, which doesn't speak to its sister company First Great Western, the train operator) and you can't rely on the train conductors having bus timetables. If the train is late you cannot be sure the bus will wait (these are scheduled buses with other connections to make) And to repeat. There are NO buses either way on Sundays
I strongly recommend you to double-check the bus connections before starting the journey. There is a leaflet ("Train times: Cotswold Line"
available at Oxford station (and at London Paddington, but NOT the Birmingham stations)that has the bus timetables: the Web version didn't include the buses last time I looked.
Good luck. This really is the best possible argument for hiring a car or getting an airport pickup.
If you start this journey and it goes wrong, remember there's a slightly wider selection of trains that don't have buses meeting them (full timetable now at www.thamestrains.co.uk), and that there's a taxi rank at Evesham station (but NOT at Moreton)
And for the further avoidance of doubt: all these trains go to both Evesham and Moreton: there's no further train change needed. But the bus connection goes from Evesham only, except where I've said 'change Moreton' (which, amazingly, is meant to mean that there's a connection only from Moreton.
The buses depart a hundred yards or so from the station (in the Budgens supermarket car park at Moreton, and on the High Street at Evesham). They are operated by different companies from the train (by Castleways Wincombe from Evesham, and by First from Moreton, which doesn't speak to its sister company First Great Western, the train operator) and you can't rely on the train conductors having bus timetables. If the train is late you cannot be sure the bus will wait (these are scheduled buses with other connections to make) And to repeat. There are NO buses either way on Sundays
I strongly recommend you to double-check the bus connections before starting the journey. There is a leaflet ("Train times: Cotswold Line"
available at Oxford station (and at London Paddington, but NOT the Birmingham stations)that has the bus timetables: the Web version didn't include the buses last time I looked.Good luck. This really is the best possible argument for hiring a car or getting an airport pickup.
If you start this journey and it goes wrong, remember there's a slightly wider selection of trains that don't have buses meeting them (full timetable now at www.thamestrains.co.uk), and that there's a taxi rank at Evesham station (but NOT at Moreton)
Aug 9th, 2004, 11:13 PM
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Thank you flanneruk. Just to point out another option that I found on the website, is by taking coach buses from the airport (BHX)like National Express line.It takes people to places like evesham station or moreton in marsh. the cons are, need to pay in advance as they need to reserve seats and also there is limit in bringing suitcases (20Kg each). Any comment on this other option, rather than taking the train rides all over town
Sep 12th, 2004, 04:31 AM
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We were in Stratford yesterday for a daytrip and called in at Chipping Campden on the way home, I note that Flanner mentioned it.
It is really a lovely place for a stop off.
There is accomodation there called Old Campden house, which are run by the Landmark trust. There are two of the old banqueting houses which are now available to rent for weekend stays. These are really beautiful and obscure. To cap it all there is no TV and no computer which makes it a real get away from it all place to go.
Muck
