What's new
By:
FORUMS - COASTERFORCE

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

How to travel to parks by train (UK)

P

peep

CF Legend
The website for National Rail in the UK now has a page listing all UK theme parks (plus Butlins etc) and lists the nearest train stations and how far you have to travel from the station to the park entrance etc.

I think it's very helpful for those not in the know etc and is a great idea. It's probably old news for some people but I just stumbled upon it and I thought it may come in use to some people for when they are making plans for their trips this year.

LINK
 
That is very useful, and may go some way towards helping with the "I don't drive, come out of your way to give me a lift or I won't go!" attitude that seems quite common here.
 
gavin said:
That is very useful, and may go some way towards helping with the "I don't drive, come out of your way to give me a lift or I won't go!" attitude that seems quite common here.
Click to expand...

I was just about to say similar!

Excellent find peep.

I am curious as to what it suggests with getting to those places that are not near stations. I may go looksie...
 
Most parks that aren't close to train stations have some kind of bus link with the nearest one. Alton with Stoke and Uttoxeter, Flamingoland with Malton (bus station is opposite the train station) just off the top of my head.
 
Yeah, but the bus to Alton is H.E.Double-hockey-stick!

I didn't know that Flamingoland had a bus link though. its been so long since I have used public transport for parks that it is all a little lost on me.

Even when I did train my way up north for instance 9 times out 10 I would be picked up at Northampton by Ian as he was on his way past...

It is also a subtle way of advertising the ease of getting places by train... namely making parks more accesible to those who may have thought they were not.
 
^I wouldn't be that harsh on them.
I got to all the UK parks I visited via train and it was all pretty easy....Admittedly my train to Stoke got in 30 minutes late which meant waiting for another bus to Alton, but other than that services were pretty good.
 
Nice find Peep, this should help save a bit of time when planning trips. Its probably about time we had a guide like this with all the parks in one place. Even some small parks are listed which is handy.
 
I know it's been said but great find, wish someone had mentioned something like this back before I could drive. Nice one peep :D
 
My favourite method was just to find the parks on google earth, and then look around for a line nearby.
 
T'is useful this. I've done park visits on my own by rail and it's not too bad. Only annoying one is Blackpool because it takes a non-direct route on slower trains. But Alton Towers is fine.

I don't use the "I can't be bothered" excuse for going to nearby parks, because trains are pretty good (I'd say underrated as a mode of transport). I can get to Alton and back for about £10.
 
jayjay said:
T'is useful this. I've done park visits on my own by rail and it's not too bad. Only annoying one is Blackpool because it takes a non-direct route on slower trains. But Alton Towers is fine.
Click to expand...
The train to Blackpool was funny because it felt more like a bus (Right down to the seats and the doors), at least it puts you right on the parks doorstep though.
 
pierre said:
Under-rated because they're overpriced.
Click to expand...

They don't have to be though. It's just very inconsistant depending on which train companies are involved really. I was surprised to get a return ticket to Uttoxeter (for Alton) from here for £16, and that was a full-price, buy-at-the-station ticket.

It's only really when you hit the 2 hour plus journeys that it gets ridiculous without booking ahead and being flexible with travel times. Well, for this area anyway, not sure about the North East at all.
 
I just did a search for a return ticket to Alton Towers for the live weekend and it'd cost me £64.90 and thats still two months away.

The length of the journeys is also a bit of a joke for me too, I'd have to set off at 5:55am to arrive in Uttoxeter for 9:57am, and depart Uttoxeter at 7:00pm arriving back in Middlesbrough at 11:00pm.

I guess part of the reason fares for me tend to be expensive is Middlesbrough isn't part of a major line, I always have to travel Westbound to Darlington first (occasionally Manchester which is what I'd do with Alton Towers).

They are under-rated sometimes though, like when I went to GF in 2006 I managed to get an open-return for £80 and the train journey from Middlesbrough to Feltham (including all the change times) only took 4 hours.

But for the majority they're still overpriced :p

For me to get to Flamingo Land in a car is about £12 petrol, and an hours drive each way. On the train for their opening weekend would be 2 hour journeys each way, an open return is £33 can get singles for £16 but that means getting there hours before the park even opens :lol:
 
This is a fantastic addition to the website.

The amount of times it's taken like minutes longer to go on the designated park's website to see the nearest station... Its saved like 5 minutes, wow!

Yes, I am being sarcastic, although I have to admit, it's good of them for doing it.
 
gavin said:
pierre said:
Under-rated because they're overpriced.
Click to expand...

They don't have to be though. It's just very inconsistant depending on which train companies are involved really. I was surprised to get a return ticket to Uttoxeter (for Alton) from here for £16, and that was a full-price, buy-at-the-station ticket.

It's only really when you hit the 2 hour plus journeys that it gets ridiculous without booking ahead and being flexible with travel times. Well, for this area anyway, not sure about the North East at all.
Click to expand...

It also doesn't help that the high prices make people want to fare dodge, which means that train operating companies get less profit, so they have to increase the fares to make up the difference. Fare evasion needs better enforcing really.
 
I use the National rail site quite a lot and seeing it now has the theme park feature will be useful for planning any trips :D
 
Just a quick tip. You can save the £1 booking fee by booking tickets through train operating companys' (Virgin, Northern Rail etc.) website.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top