I need to get from Essex to Somerset - train? car? help!

[hereidrawtheline]

19th Aug we are going to BIBIC for DS's assessment. We are leaving from the Colchester, Essex area and need to get to Bridgwater.

googlemaps say its a 4.5 hour drive, I am thinking of the possibility of a train as tbh DH and I are quaking in terror of being with DS in the car that long he kicks up when we drive to the shops. I know he will sleep some of the way but he has a tendency to scream non stop saying he hurts from not moving his legs. Anyway what websites etc do you go on to look for train info? Prices, times etc? We travel kind of heavy though DS has a lot of stuff he has to cart around. What do you think?

I use this site for train times. (I'm in Somerset)

You ould need to get the train from Paddington to Taunton and then a cab to Bridgwater.I would go with the car option (long drive) but at least you can stop as often as needed on the way.
Bridgwater is horrible by the way (sorry to residents of Bridgwater but I worked there for 10yrs) so don't hang your hopes on stopping there for too long........

I think you can actually get the train to Bridgwater.
Train from Colchester into London, then across to Paddington, then Great Western Trains to Bridgwater. I think it is the Penzance train that stops at Bridgwater but don't quote me on that.

If you need help with getting things on and off the train you can let one of the stewards at the station know and they will help out getting you on and settle.

There is normally a family carriage where they give out crayons and colouring if that's any good. It's not so much about the crayons but more about the fact that your children are free to make as much noise as they need to without getting dirty looks from other commuters iyswim.

Cheapest way would be via coach though. May be an option for you as you would be able to let your son get up and walk to the loo etc if he doesn't do sitting for a long time.

thank you for the link & info - it looks a huge faff to take the train actually, 3 or 4 changes and no cheaper so I think we will just take the car and break it up halfway there.

it said the coach took 10 hours! and really I will take 4 hrs in the car over 10 hrs in a coach any day!

I don't blame you!

You can get a train from Paddington to Bridgwater.

This site is very useful.

we are thinking of driving and stopping for a couple of hours in Windsor. What is there to do in Windsor that a 3 year old would enjoy doing while moving?

needopinions - I have worked and lived here longer than that and it isn't horrible as such. You just need imagination and open-mindedness to be happy here .

There are plenty of nice places to stay/spend time that are outside of Bridgwater. Will you be staying over OP?

we will be there from 19th to 22nd but in 2 full day assessments on 20 & 21.

I really think I would drive BTW.

Can you stay in BIBIC or do you need somewhere to stay?

we have to pay to stay in a hotel, have booked The Admirals Rest as the price is right!

6 hrs

Sorry Ormirian-did't wish to offend,I guess part of my "dislike" was due to my ridiculous journey and the workload I had.The little time I had I really struggled to enjoy....You are right-it isn't that bad and BIBICis def brilliant.

when we went to Bibic we left at 4am to miss all the traffic think we did it in just over 3hrs and im in colchester to .you would need car ideally for Bibic asn ot on public transport but dont worry about going out for lunch, fridge and microwave there and there lots of space for ds to let of some steam.

one thing with trains be aware there is strikes on colchester -London line was murder last week when had to go to London wth ds

I cant imagine leaving at 4am! (I'm quaking in terror here) Really dont do little sleep but it sounds sensible actually!

Hope it goes really well herei. I've heard some good things about BIBIC.

thank you It is in just a week!