London to Lakes on Train

[BryceQuinlanTheFirst]

Hello,

Does anyone regularly do this trip? I'm a frequent train user but very confused by this line. Train line and Avanti website don't seem to be advertising any services. Am I missing something?

(Train needed for early Nov)

What are you confused by? You get on the train at Euston, get off at Oxenholme or Penrith.

I think avanti aren't advertising many advance fares at the moment because of the strikes, they are apparently struggling to get staff to cover at weekends as it's classed as overtime.

I can't find any services running

I’ve heard similar- strikes

Ohh sorry maybe I do know what you're confused about! I think Avanti aren't releasing advance tickets at the moment, they can only be bought a few days before travel. Very strange.

www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables

Do you know how far in advance you advertise?

Ahhh this is very frustrating. I don't want to do it a couple days before, it's for an expensive retreat and that would cause me worry. Not sure what to do

Avanti West Coast have lots of problems at the moments, so trains only going on at short notice. Definitely avoid a Sunday, in either direction, as that's when they are at their worst.

But, as mentioned previously, it is a direct route (the Glasgow service, effectively) and very easy.

Agh crap I need to come back on the Sunday

Avanti are even worse than Virgin on the West Coast line. They're not announcing timetables or tickets until about 10 days in advance (so no cheaper advance tickets either) because of shortage of staff.

They have drastically reduced the timetabling of London and/or Birmingham up to Glasgow/Edinburgh to one every two hours.

Maybe they shouldn't be such shit employers.

You could try LNER up to Leeds and then get the wonderful Carlisle to Settle line to Penrith, or the "Wakes Week" train Leeds to Lancaster/Morecambe & then a local train or bus to Windermere from there. It'll take longer, but you'll see some gorgeous countryside. And you can book in advance!

Thanks for this tip! @BirdinaHedge
I could go to newcastle night before and drive over with family but that's a lot of sitting and I have a back condition.

I'll try your route thank you!

My route is a lot of sitting too, I'm afraid! But Avanti are so hopeless.

That said - travel by any train operating company on a Sunday is pretty rubbish. But if you're going back to London, you'll be prioritised - the London routes always.

Us northerners have to put up with appalling services

Avanti is an absolute shit hole of a train service - it does go to the Lakes, however, it will be a painful journey. Toilets are frequently out of order, train stinks of toilet, pot luck if there is catering. I agree - do not travel back on a Sunday. I do this journey from London regularly and the service has disintegrated massively since Virgin were in control.

Eurgh I thought it would be an easy journey!!

And it's really hard to think that any Train operating company could be worse than Virgin West Coast ...

Resident of NW and a non-driver, so I'm very dependent on the West Coast line. Bugger HS2, we just need a decent slow train!

It's impossible to book (or rely on) Avanti at the moment.

You could get a train to Leeds but the Settle Carlisle doesn't stop at Penrith - the nearest station is Langwathby (about 6 miles away) or you can change in Carlisle and go south again to Penrith.

It might be an option depending on where you are to get a local train to and from Leeds and use LNER from Leeds to London. Longer journey but if certainty is important to you may be better.

Where is the retreat?

I’ve been trying to book a train up to Blackpool over half term to take my kids to see family. There’s engineering works 22 October to 28 October so it’s an additional problem alongside the absolute shit show of Avanti.

Windermere

I've booked to stay with family night before and travel over with them.

Just need to arrange the way back which is a Sunday. I'll try and do a split journey to Leeds as suggested.

Thanks everyone

Ohhh that's so frustrating for you