Best value multi-day rover

[crispy1978]

Was wondering what you think is the best value multi-day rover?

I'm looking at a 3 day rover later in the year, having obtained permission from the wife.

My criteria is essentially visiting stations, but want some variety of units, operator, etc.

Ideally I'd like a central base for accommodation.

What would you recommend?

 

[FQ]

The North West Rover is very good value.
http://www.railrover.org/pages/north-west-rover.html

 

[Temple Meads]

The Freedom of the Severn and Solent is good value, at £45 (£29.70 with railcard), and a decent area of validity, you could base yourself in Bristol, and have access to Cardiff, Southampton and Bristol itself, all good locations for crossing off units.

More info: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr8bb6ac0a0400040155984b49bbe4b3.aspx

 

[postye]

The central Scotland 3in7 is excellent value at £36.30 and covers the area between North Berwick - Edinburgh - Kirkcaldy - Dunblane - Stirling - Glasgow and west as far as Partick, so plenty of variety on offer and some good loops to get around

 

[crispy1978]

Some good plans!

I like the idea of going somewhere I've not been before, so the Bristol idea sounds good.

 

[Bevan Price]

Whichever rover you choose, I suggest you will find less expensive accommodation in seaside resorts rather than big cities, especially outside the peak holiday season.
e.g. Weston Super Mare rather than Bristol; Blackpool rather than Manchester; Ayr rather than Glasgow, etc.

 

[crispy1978]

Whichever rover you choose, I suggest you will find less expensive accommodation in seaside resorts rather than big cities, especially outside the peak holiday season.
e.g. Weston Super Mare rather than Bristol; Blackpool rather than Manchester; Ayr rather than Glasgow, etc.

Good tip - I'll be jumping in a Travelodge or similar. Booked in advance I don't find much in it personally. Probably looking at September.

 

[Techniquest]

I concur with the Freedom of Severn and Solent, an amazing value rover and one I've done more times than I care to count!

I used to like the Heart of England Rover too, as well as the Freedom of South Wales Rover. Not sure if they definitely both go by that name now, but they used to offer excellent value for the territory covered.

Anglia Plus is also a good one, as is a Central Scotland. Kent Rover is fantastic value as well, I've done two of them in a 7 month period so can't be too bad at all!

Freedom of North East isn't really going to be that suitable for me since you live there, but it's not a bad rover. Not one I'm rushing to do again though.

 

[crispy1978]

The FoSS I think is my favourite at the moment.

The Anglia Plus appeals, but not sure I could keep occupied for three days there (though lunch at the Berney Arms pub has appeal!)

Central Scotland is definitely value for money but I've probably got 10-15 of those stations ticked. The South Wales one has loads of branch lines which are interesting but involve a lot of doubling back but is presumably unavoidable.

The wife is umming and arring about them but reckon I can convince her!!

 

[TheEdge]

The Anglia Plus appeals, but not sure I could keep occupied for three days there (though lunch at the Berney Arms pub has appeal!)

Good luck with that, its shut down.

 

[crispy1978]

Good luck with that, its shut down.

Ah right! There goes that plan!! The website looked fairly up to date too!!

 

[noddy1878]

FoSS is a great rover. I have done many of them (must do another at some point and try and hunt down my last two fgw 150s, atw 175, ate 153 and XC 170!). The other rovers mentioned are also great value in my eyes as well as north east one.

 

[Hassocks5489]

Yet another vote for the Freedom of Severn and Solent! In 2006 I combined this with a trip to the West Midlands: Monday travelling from Sussex to Long Buckby, Tuesday in the WM with a combination of tickets, then in Great Malvern overnight; Wednesday, Great Malvern to Chippenham via lots of interesting places; Thursday, Chippenham to Weymouth likewise; Friday, Weymouth back home. The extensive area of validity meant I only needed an inexpensive single from Portsmouth to get me home. All of the places I stayed in had cheap, pleasant B&B accommodation near the respective stations.

 

[CC 72100]

Monday travelling from Sussex to Long Buckby, Tuesday in the WM with a combination of tickets, then in Great Malvern overnight; Wednesday, Great Malvern to Chippenham via lots of interesting places; Thursday, Chippenham to Weymouth likewise; Friday, Weymouth back home.

You made that sound like a week of Great British Railway Journeys there!