West Country to Twickenham, what car/train mix?

[Kermit power]

Evening all,

I've got tickets for my son and I to the Big Game 9 rugby match at Twickenham on the 27th. We live about 10 miles away, so normally a pretty easy journey, but what with it being Christmas, we'll be down with my inlaws near Taunton, so will be looking to make it a day trip from there.

We could drive the whole way, but the traffic around Twickenham would be hell, and we'd need to find somewhere to park, or could get a train from Taunton via Reading or Crewkerne via Clapham, but it's not particularly cheap, so I was wondering if anyone could suggest a decent interim point to catch a train that's easy to get to and park at, and not too expensive ticket wise?

[PurpleTurtle]

Lots of work on the Paddington and Waterloo lines over Xmas, just be wary of this

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/...

Whilst not affecting your route specially, Paddington is going to be shut, trains terminating at Ealing, and work at Clapham Jct could upset one or both of your routes

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 1st December 22:11

[basherX]

Reading? Plentiful parking, easy to get to from the M4 (so handy for Taunton) and you can get on at the start of the line (seats!) that'll take you straight to Twickenham. Assuming the trains are running. Usually reasonably quick in that direction out of Twickenham as well

[Planet Claire]

You could come up the A303 and M3 to, say, Egham or Staines and then get the train from there into Twickers. The Reading to Waterloo train usually stops at Twickenham so you could pick a station along that route. Bracknell could be an option and there's free street parking nearby, which may well be available over Christmas.

[PurpleTurtle]

Parking is 18-20 quid a day at Reading Station

http://www.apcoa.co.uk/en/parking-in/reading/readi...

There's a new car park opened on the site of the old Cooper Reading BMW dealership on Napier Rd which will be a bit cheaper.

What about Bracknell? M4 to J10, then A329M into Bracknell, parking adjacent to the Twickenham bound platform on the Waterloo line. Saves having to get in/out of Reading which can be busy, Bracknell far easier to access from the motorway.

[Whoozit]

Driving in on the A316 really isnt that bad unless you're within one hour of kickoff. You'll find plenty of parking towards Isleworth in the side streets, perhaps 10-15 minutes walk. And no faffing about with trains.

[Fluffsri]

Taunton to Yeovil Junction and park up. Grab train form there to Basingstoke, Basi to Clapham, Clapham to Twickers.

[LemonParty]

Missing a trick - drive to Ascot. It's close to the M3, has direct trains to Twickenham AND you get to gawp at the McLarens at the Ascot showroom

[Hoofy]

Park somewhere off Nelson Road in Whitton and walk in? Dunno what parking restrictions will be like. If there are temporary restrictions just park further out eg around Crane Park.

[Kermit power]

Fluffsri said:

Taunton to Yeovil Junction and park up. Grab train form there to Basingstoke, Basi to Clapham, Clapham to Twickers.

Is there a reason I wouldn't just go Yeovil to Clapham direct?

Since Netflix updated overnight to tell me I can now download content like on Amazon Prime, this is probably the preferred option, as I can just load a bunch of Pokemon episodes onto a tablet to keep him entertained on the train.

[Fluffsri]

Kermit power said:

Fluffsri said:

Taunton to Yeovil Junction and park up. Grab train form there to Basingstoke, Basi to Clapham, Clapham to Twickers.

Is there a reason I wouldn't just go Yeovil to Clapham direct?

Since Netflix updated overnight to tell me I can now download content like on Amazon Prime, this is probably the preferred option, as I can just load a bunch of Pokemon episodes onto a tablet to keep him entertained on the train.

Probably can, I haven't checked that. I live in Fleet and when we send the wifes sister back to the shire, we drop her at Basi to save the change from Fleet to Basi.

[Spare tyre]

Hounslow West station and train

Or theale in reading then train

[IroningMan]

We live between Castle Cary (GWR to Paddington) and Templecombe (Southwest Trains to Waterloo). I generally drive to Basingstoke - parking is about £8 for the day and there's a train to Waterloo every 10 minutes or so.

[Ynox]

I'd probably drive to Staines (where I live).

There's a large-ish carpark near to the station and it's quick to get to Twickenham assuming no rail works.

If you're driving there's not much point in driving to Reading given it's actually quicker to drive further in than it is to get the train. Reading to Twickenham is going to be an hour or so on the train! Also probably not much point in going into London and back out.

That said, if you don't drive you get to have a few beers, so maybe the train is the better option

Edit - National Rail has the train as being Taunton -> RDG -> Twickenham. 2hrs 45 but a pretty easy journey. It's what I'd be doing.

Edited by Ynox on Saturday 3rd December 12:16