Universities on a decent train line from the South West!

[Stugs]

Dd was thinking about applying to Lancaster but it's a 5 hour drive or an absolutely hideous 6 or 7 hour train journey with 3 or 4 changes including getting across London. Sadly that rules it out as she will want to come home a few times a term (please no dismissive comments about this there's a good reason!).

She will apply yo Bath but it will be very much the aspirational choice - A* A A and she's more AAB. Doesn't fancy Exeter. Bristol doesn't do the course. I'm being lazy and asking here if there's anywhere further away that has a good rail connection to Bristol or Exeter???

London is easy and the tube is easy, if she wants to be an adult, she'll have to get to grips with that.

Coaches are an option, but she'll need to grow up a tad if she wants to go that far from home.

Where are you ? Why do you need to get across London to get to Lancaster?

Because that's what the route is according to trainline

That’s going east to go west, where are you ?

There's no need to be so rude. She's perfectly capable of getting the tube but she'd like to avoid it with lots of bags as I'm sure you are aware it's not ideal for that.

What is your nearest mainline station?

She's ill OK! She needs to return to see a consultant. Happy now!

Where do you live? You don't need to go to London to get to Exeter or Plymouth or Bristol from Lancaster

Lots of good suggestions here, thank you x

She should be able to transfer to a hospital closer to her uni ?

If you're near any of these stations she can get a train from Lancaster and change at Tamworth or Birmingham new street. No need to go anywhere near London

You don't say where in the south west

You don't have to change in London to go from Exeter to Lancaster

3 changes isn't ideal but it's only 5.5 hrs

2 changes before Bristol? Where abouts in the south west? Where abouts in the southwest are you? Might help understand which train routes are easy for you?

Look into coaches OP - I live in Bristol and regularly need to get to other places (Cardiff/London/Hereford/Birmingham etc) via public transport for work or for family stuff/gigs. I often opt for a Megabus rather than train even when it's being expensed for work as the coaches are often easier and more regular than trains

Exeter to Lancaster can be two changes, one at Birmingham and one at Preston, or get the Glasgow train from Birmingham straight there

"Exeter to Lancaster can be two changes"

Or it can be just one.

No advice on the Uni's but remember to factor in the cost of train travel. About 7 or 8 years ago I used to regularly go from a town just north of London to Northumberland. It was £125 return and that was with a rail card.

Which is what I said

@Stugs

I've got the tube with suitcases before, as long as it's not rush hour she'll be fine.

Why are you drip feeding instead of setting out your entire situation in the post?

Yes, we've thought of that of course but it depends where she goes as it might not be an option.

I explained in my first post that there was a reason that she needed to come home a few times a term

Of course this is mumsnet so people just ignore that and tell her to grow up.

Honestly thanks to those who have replied in good faith - lots to think about.

People will be able to make much more helpful suggestions if you tell us where you're based/what your nearest station is!

I don't think any other unis could be suggested! We are not on a direct line to Bristol unfortunately. The Sw is quite a big place with not brilliant train services.

She needs to come home w few times a term but she doesn't need a big suitcase for that

Leave a change of clothes at home and she can have a very small bag to manage

Is it her or you that's saying Lancaster is ruled out ?