Good value day out train ride - Bletchley to St Albans

[WolvertonWorks]

I like the challenge of finding interesting routes at good prices so as student grandson is staying so we decided to go to St Albans yesterday to visit the Roman site.

First thought was to drive from Milton Keynes to Flitwick and take a Thameslink service to St Albans City.

Then we thought about doing a round trip Milton Keynes Central (MKC)-Watford-St Albans Abbey - return from St Albans City - Bedford - Bletchley - MKC.

What we ended up doing was driving to Bletchley (£4.60 for parking) and taking the 10:45 to Bedford - speculating as we passed Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick as to how they would upgrade the station if Universal Studios project does go ahead - and then one of the frequent Thameslinks to St Albans City (SAC).

SAC quite confusing - two possible exits and somehow I expected there to be signs pointing one to the Abbey and Verulamium as they are big tourist attractions but we saw none. The exit we chose wasn't a very welcoming arrival into the city but buses did depart from right outside although we weren't looking to catch one.

Found our way to the Abbey and big park with the Museum about Verulamium and enjoyed the museum. Then walked back via the big street market to the station and train back to Bedford. We'd timed it so we then didn't have many minutes to wait for the train back to Bletchley.

We have two senior railcards and a 16-25 railcard so a group of three adults but the chap at Bletchley who helped us buy tickets from the machine said use groupsave and and a split Bletchley-Bedford and Bedford-SAC would be better so that's what we did - £1.30 each anytime day return Bletchley-Bedford and £9.40 each off peak day return Bedford-SAC so just under £11 each for an interesting train ride and day out.

Hope this might inspire others.

 

[Amos]

If you don’t mind a 10 minute walk there’s a free car park on Albert Street behind the bus station.It can often be busy though.

 

[John Webb]

I like the challenge of finding interesting routes at good prices so as student grandson is staying so we decided to go to St Albans yesterday to visit the Roman site....

SAC quite confusing - two possible exits and somehow I expected there to be signs pointing one to the Abbey and Verulamium as they are big tourist attractions but we saw none. The exit we chose wasn't a very welcoming arrival into the city but buses did depart from right outside although we weren't looking to catch one.....

Interesting comments, speaking as a St Albans resident for some 40+ years. Somewhere near the City Station there is an information 'pillar' showing the way to various attractions around the city. I'm not certain of its exact location, however, so can't comment on how you missed seeing it.

Excuse the plug, but if you repeat the trip at any time, the preserved 1892 signal box near the City station is open 2nd and 4th Sunday afternoons 2-5pm from March-October - leave by the platform 4 exit (the one opposite the one with the bus station) and turn left through the carpark. We're open 2nd Sunday afternoons only November-February; also open Wednesday afternoons at half-term weeks.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you don’t mind a 10 minute walk there’s a free car park on Albert Street behind the bus station.It can often be busy though.

You can often get a space on the road outside Bletchley station if you don't mind a short walk.

 

[Amos]

You can often get a space on the road outside Bletchley station if you don't mind a short walk.

Never thought about that,much nearer than the bus station.