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Original poster

SE Englanders: help me sort a train exercise

31 replies

trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 11:20

I have a wedding on Saturday at 2.30pm in East Sussex close to either east grinstead, tunbridge wells or Cowden (trains from either London Bridge or london victoria then have to arrange a taxi I think).

I arrive in london in gatwick at 8.30am.

I have a place to crash / leave stuff at in Farringdon, London (EC1) but not sure if it’s worth going there in between? Am bringing very simple wedding guest dress with me (boho garden wedding with v relaxed but stylish and lovely bride) so can get ready and stick a bit of mascara on anywhere en route if you see what I mean.

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Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 11:21

Sorry posted too soon!

What trains would you be getting to do this? I am scared of massively over convoluting it all and/or messing up timings.

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FusionChefGeoff · 09/07/2023 11:24

Are you staying in Farringdon after the wedding?

FusionChefGeoff · 09/07/2023 11:25

Gatwick is pretty close to the wedding so I wouldn't bother going into and back out of London if you can avoid it??

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Mumdiva99 · 09/07/2023 11:25

Honestly I would get a cab from Gatwick direct to the wedding. Surely its not much further getting a cab direct than getting one from the station. But without the added hassle.

The wedding should have somewhere to leave your case.

mynameiscalypso · 09/07/2023 11:25

If your flights is on time, you could get the direct train from Gatwick to Farringdon (45 mins - 1 hour). Dump your stuff and change and then make your way to either Victoria or London Bridge. London Bridge is probably slightly easier to get to (Walk/met line to Moorgate and then Northern Line). If you don't have enough time, I'd get Gatwick Express into Victoria and then out again.

mynameiscalypso · 09/07/2023 11:27

Oh yeah, PPs are right that the easiest thing is to go direct. I guess it depends a bit if you're happy to kill a few hours at the venue.

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 09/07/2023 11:29

I'd go direct from the airport to the wedding. Surely it's no distance from Gatwick to East Grinstead? Certainly wouldn't traipse all the way to Farringdon and out again.

Main thing is to be certain of how you're going to get back to Farringdon after the wedding. Is there a Thameslink service? Use the National Rail Journey Planner, and look out for planned engineering works.

Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 11:30

I have a hotel in east grinstead booked for the night.

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Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 11:31

Mumdiva99 · 09/07/2023 11:25

Honestly I would get a cab from Gatwick direct to the wedding. Surely its not much further getting a cab direct than getting one from the station. But without the added hassle.

The wedding should have somewhere to leave your case.

This is pretty genius…!

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AngeloMysterioso · 09/07/2023 11:31

There are direct trains between Gatwick and EG aren’t there? I certainly wouldn’t bother schlepping all the way to Farringdon and back if you don’t have to.

Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 11:33

What can I do to kill a few hours at Gatwick do you think? I tell you what I would LOVE to do and that is get a manicure and pedicure if anyone knows if there is a salon/airport services I could access?

just because that type of activity is the furthest away from my every day mum life and beats frantically slapping on some lumpy Rimmel at 10 on Friday night…!

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Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 11:34

AngeloMysterioso · 09/07/2023 11:31

There are direct trains between Gatwick and EG aren’t there? I certainly wouldn’t bother schlepping all the way to Farringdon and back if you don’t have to.

This is 100% the info I am here for. Thank you!

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mynameiscalypso · 09/07/2023 11:34

Oh if you're not going back to Farringdon after the wedding, don't come into London. Could you ask the hotel if they have the room available a bit earlier? Or at least somewhere you can leave your bag?

Bearpawk · 09/07/2023 11:35

No way would I go into Farringdon and back out again.
Get ready in airport bathrooms.
Straight to wedding (stash suitcase at wedding venue!)

ElectricToothbrush · 09/07/2023 11:36

Trainline says it's just over an hour on train from Gatwick to East Grinstead with a change at East Croydon.

FusionChefGeoff · 09/07/2023 11:37

Don't hang about in Gatwick! Get to East Grinstead asap then book salon stuff there

Trainline.com will sort trains out for you

Google for salons

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 09/07/2023 11:38

I have a hotel in east grinstead booked for the night.

They might let you drop off your stuff there on the way to the wedding, even if you get there too early to check in to your room. Worth contacting them to ask. Is it a chain or a small family run place?

Mumdiva99 · 09/07/2023 11:46

Yes.....get to east Grinstead for dropping bags and a nail bar. Head to the beauty boards here for a recommendation of a salon or drop in nail bar.

PlatBilledDuckypuss · 09/07/2023 11:53

Cowden (while a nice place with a smashing village pub) is in the middle of nowhere with a very infrequent rail service. I'd forget it if I were you. Gatwick is probably your best bet.

LIZS · 09/07/2023 11:55

AngeloMysterioso · 09/07/2023 11:31

There are direct trains between Gatwick and EG aren’t there? I certainly wouldn’t bother schlepping all the way to Farringdon and back if you don’t have to.

No there aren't but there is a direct bus. Train is up to East Croydon to change to EG. Where is the wedding, much quicker to go there straight from LGW than from Farringdon.

LIZS · 09/07/2023 11:58

There are spa facilities at hotels like Ashdown Park, Crowne Plaza Felbridge or Lingfield Park et al

Wtafis · 09/07/2023 11:58

Change train at Redhill. Books salon in Redhill town centre

Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 12:36

Okay this is amazing. Don’t worry about case as it is a small underseat rucksack a la easyJet, I hate baggage.

Okay, so bus to east grinstead?

should I book a taxi to hartfield in advance? It’s at bride’s family’s house so don’t want to arrive early when they’re planning/running around.

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Mumdiva99 · 09/07/2023 13:28

I would ask your hotel to advise on the taxi's they might say yes to pre-booking both journeys. (I don't know the area well or what local events might impact it. E.g. where I live we are close enough to Silverstone that if it were here today I would prebook important cabs)

Original poster
trainconundrum · 09/07/2023 14:30

It’s a premier inn type place (budget travel!) so doubt they could do that. Will call a taxi place tomorrow.

thank you all! So helpful!

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