Lyme Regis vs. Weymouth vs Salisbury: Let's start with those
Sep 8th, 2019, 05:46 AM
#21
Definitely read seat61! I bought a senior rail card (gets you a third off if you are over 60) my last couple of trips, but even you qualify it probably won't save you enough if these are your only train trips.
However, interesting data. I took a look at the Gatwick-Dorchester South trip, to see just how much it was, and was surprised by the cost. But if you buy the Gatwick-Clapham Junction ticket and the Clapham Junction-Dorchester South ticket separately, you can save quite a bit. Looks like a month out may be the sweet spot and can get it down to 31.50 GBP (second class).
I'm afraid I am not very reservation-conscious when it comes to British trains. I don't travel first class either.
Forgot to mention that Enterprise should pick you up and drop you off at the train station, just as they would in the US.
However, interesting data. I took a look at the Gatwick-Dorchester South trip, to see just how much it was, and was surprised by the cost. But if you buy the Gatwick-Clapham Junction ticket and the Clapham Junction-Dorchester South ticket separately, you can save quite a bit. Looks like a month out may be the sweet spot and can get it down to 31.50 GBP (second class).
I'm afraid I am not very reservation-conscious when it comes to British trains. I don't travel first class either.
Forgot to mention that Enterprise should pick you up and drop you off at the train station, just as they would in the US.
Last edited by thursdaysd; Sep 8th, 2019 at 06:19 AM.
Sep 8th, 2019, 06:03 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dukey1, no herding involved. Just Gary and his Land Rover. Gary has permission to go off road on private land all over Dorset, so you get access to to areas and vistas most people never see. The view of Corfe Castle from the hill above is stunning.
The train from Gatwick to Dorchester takes a minimum of one change and about 3-1/2 hours. If my daughter or son-in-law can't pick me up I use a car service. Gatwick to Dorchester runs about £150, so depending on how well you do with train fares it may actually be cheaper to get a car service, not to mention a great deal easier. Let me know if you'd like recommendations for car services I've used.
The train from Gatwick to Dorchester takes a minimum of one change and about 3-1/2 hours. If my daughter or son-in-law can't pick me up I use a car service. Gatwick to Dorchester runs about £150, so depending on how well you do with train fares it may actually be cheaper to get a car service, not to mention a great deal easier. Let me know if you'd like recommendations for car services I've used.
Sep 8th, 2019, 06:22 AM
#23
Original Poster
Tried posting the following once and it failed so again:
thank you for the thoughts re splitting the train ticket and getting the senior railcard
That "safari" idea is appealing in many ways
I will also consider the car service instead of a car rental.
It is becoming harder for me to plan things now that my Husbear's capabilities are evolving; I am, at this point, hoping we will be able to do this trip...at all.
thank you for the thoughts re splitting the train ticket and getting the senior railcard
That "safari" idea is appealing in many ways
I will also consider the car service instead of a car rental.
It is becoming harder for me to plan things now that my Husbear's capabilities are evolving; I am, at this point, hoping we will be able to do this trip...at all.
Sep 8th, 2019, 08:04 AM
#24
Sorry to hear that, Dukey1. Sympathy to Husbear!
Been there. Couldn't travel at all in 2017, and my knees gave out halfway through last year's test trip to the UK. Had to switch out a B&B with stairs in Torquay for an apartment hotel with an elevator in Bath, buses instead of tube in London, wheelchair at Heathrow. If the issue has to do with mobility do be aware that eating and drinking establishments may have their only toilets up or down stairs, sometimes narrow spiral stairs, and not all hotels have elevators.
Been there. Couldn't travel at all in 2017, and my knees gave out halfway through last year's test trip to the UK. Had to switch out a B&B with stairs in Torquay for an apartment hotel with an elevator in Bath, buses instead of tube in London, wheelchair at Heathrow. If the issue has to do with mobility do be aware that eating and drinking establishments may have their only toilets up or down stairs, sometimes narrow spiral stairs, and not all hotels have elevators.
Sep 8th, 2019, 10:35 AM
#25
Original Poster
Thursdaysd,
thank you; not so much mobility (yet) as memory issues. BTW, I know you use public transport; is there some sort of web site for the UK or an area within the UK which lists bus schedules? When I visited the stones in Avebury I took the train from London to Swindon and then the bus from the train station. It was so easy to do. I am wondering if there is some sort of bus network in Dorset; surely there must be.
thank you; not so much mobility (yet) as memory issues. BTW, I know you use public transport; is there some sort of web site for the UK or an area within the UK which lists bus schedules? When I visited the stones in Avebury I took the train from London to Swindon and then the bus from the train station. It was so easy to do. I am wondering if there is some sort of bus network in Dorset; surely there must be.
Sep 8th, 2019, 10:49 AM
#26
Here's one:
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/tra...transport.aspx
Google "dorset buses" for more. But this one looks pretty good.
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/tra...transport.aspx
Google "dorset buses" for more. But this one looks pretty good.
Sep 8th, 2019, 11:04 AM
#27
My UK relatives recommend this site: https://www.traveline.info/
This is the company I was using in Dorset: https://www.firstgroup.com/wessex-dorset-south-somerset
I usually start with Rome2Rio and (most important) use their link to the bus company. I also use google maps (even though I otherwise avoid google) for public transport. They are especially good for cities - show you where the bus will stop, tell you what it will cost (if you're not using a pass of some kind), and you can follow the route so you'll know when to get off - but can also work for the countryside. For some reason google doesn't seem to know about ferries.
This is the company I was using in Dorset: https://www.firstgroup.com/wessex-dorset-south-somerset
I usually start with Rome2Rio and (most important) use their link to the bus company. I also use google maps (even though I otherwise avoid google) for public transport. They are especially good for cities - show you where the bus will stop, tell you what it will cost (if you're not using a pass of some kind), and you can follow the route so you'll know when to get off - but can also work for the countryside. For some reason google doesn't seem to know about ferries.
Sep 8th, 2019, 11:52 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
https://bustimes.org/localities/evershot suggests that the only bus from Evershot goes to Beaminster.
https://www.firstgroup.com/wessex-do...s/network-maps has a link to the 51 page Summer 2019 network map for the Wessex, Dorset & South Somerset route maps. The bus from Evershot to Beaminster doesn't appear on the map, so I assume it's a different bus company.
I've ridden the Jurassic Coaster all the way from Weymouth to Lyme Regis, though not all on the same journey. As long as you don't hit the high school kids coming home from Lyme Regis to Bridport it's a delightful route.
https://www.firstgroup.com/wessex-do...s/network-maps has a link to the 51 page Summer 2019 network map for the Wessex, Dorset & South Somerset route maps. The bus from Evershot to Beaminster doesn't appear on the map, so I assume it's a different bus company.
I've ridden the Jurassic Coaster all the way from Weymouth to Lyme Regis, though not all on the same journey. As long as you don't hit the high school kids coming home from Lyme Regis to Bridport it's a delightful route.
Sep 8th, 2019, 07:45 PM
#30
Even though having a rental car can be nerve-wracking (for me at any rate) it pays for itself in convenience & time saved waiting for scarce buses in places not served by trains, which means almost everywhere in the countryside. I love public transport, probably because I didn't & don't have it here at home, but sometimes a car is the only practical way.
Sep 9th, 2019, 03:02 AM
#31
Original Poster
MmePerdu, thank you and in this particular case I agree. I am very happy we had a rental when we visited Cornwall and the Peak District and I'm sure once I get behind the wheel next year I'll be grateful again.
