Clapham Junction to Littlehampton and Bognor Regis this Sunday 16 August

We are planning a trip to Littlehampton and Bognor Regis this Sunday (from Worcester Park, which involves a change at CLJ). I can see that due to engineering works the trains are on diversion and taking slightly longer than usual (involving a split/join at Worthing I believe). Our plan is to go to Littlehampton first and then we will probably head off to Bognor around mid/late afternoon, stay there until the evening and head back home from there (without calling back at Littlehampton).

My question is: What is the best ticket combination for this trip? My initial thought was that we would buy a WPK to Littlehampton return and add on a Littlehampton to Bognor return. Coming back from Bognor involves a change at Barnham to a train which I believe at Worthing joins up with the portion coming from Littlehampton. Would the above ticket combination allow us to do that i.e. Bognor - Barnham and then Barnham to CLJ?

On the way back, once you reach Ford you are on a permitted route for your Littlehampton-London ticket, so if the train stops at Ford I'd say definitely OK. I don't think the portion working has any relevance.

If you simply buy a ticket from Worcester Park to Bognor, it is valid via Littlehampton. Just try inputting it into a journey planner, and it comes up as valid.

Ah thanks, that's helpful. I was wondering whether there was a single ticket option that would cover the whole itinerary. I'm assuming there shouldn't be any issue in getting out at Littlehampton with a ticket to Bognor and saying (if asked) that we're breaking our journey there?

If it's easier, you can also get a direct bus from Bognor <> Littlehampton, roughly 2 per hour on Sunday.

Thanks. Would definitely prefer to use the train if possible.

What's a bit odd is that the cost of an off-peak day return (for two with Two Together railcard) for WPK to Littlehampton (£50.60) is slightly higher than WPK to Bognor (£49.80). But, as you say, specifying "Bognor via Littlehampton" produces a valid itinerary for £49.80. And it also makes it clear that you can break your journey in both directions. I guess we ought not to run into any issues at Littlehampton if we show that itinerary (albeit we won't be catching the next train on to Bognor but one a few hours later).

Many years ago the Portsmouth Brighton stoppers on Sunday called at both - and everywhere else too!