I'm sorry to be so dense, but I'm finding I'm still confused. It sounds from the feedback I've received that if we want a parking space in Wolverhampton we need to get there very early. But it also sounds like the trains will be pretty full before 9:30 so that it would be better to take one 9:30 at the earliest (and if we do that parking is questionable). Would we be better taking the bus to Wolverhampton so we don't have to worry about the parking? And for the return from Liverpool, sounds as if we need to travel before 5 pm or after 7 pm, right? Also, though London Midland does not offer seat reservations, I should purchase the tickets ahead of time, right? Thanks!!
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Slightly confusing post - but if you buy Advance tickets (buy beforehand to save money) from the London Midland site they will include a seat reservation. So trains can be busy at peak times times - but it's entirely up to you when you want/need to travel.
As for getting the bus to Wolverhampton, wouldn't that depend on where you're coming from?
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
So sorry to be confusing. We are coming from Bidgnorth.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33997 posts
London Midland trains no longer offer seat reservations. For LM Advance Tickets the reservation coupon or printing on the main coupon (the new system is still not fully rolled out) shows the train time on which the ticket is valid (no changes, no refunds) but not an assigned seat.
I don't think I said that parking in Wolverhampton was impossible, but I did say (I think) that competing with the commuters can be difficult.
If you want a full day in Liverpool I suggest you not wait until after the peak (nor avoid the peak returning) but be advised that crowded commuter trains really do get crowded and often there are people standing between stations where people get on at local stations and where some of them get off at major interchanges like Wolverhampton. Other major interchanges in that part of the world are Stafford, Crewe, and Birmingham.
There are ticket barriers at Liverpool Lime Street (and Liverpool South Parkway) so don't put your tickets away after they have been checked by the Senior Conductor. Sometimes they will be checked twice onboard if there is a crew change at Crewe or Stafford.
"Advance" tickets are capacity controlled, and as the quotas go down the prices go up.
"Anytime" and the period return "Savers" are available on demand and limitless, which why you can have more people on a train than seats.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
"Advance tickets … include a seat reservation" - oops!
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thanks so much! I also received information from the Bridgnorth tourist office giving me the exact location of the parking in Wolverhampton and bus schedules from Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton. So, believe it or not, it's starting to come together for me. Thanks again.
Posted by
2599 posts
You might be better off if you can do the Liverpool trip on a Saturday as there will be fewer commuters so finding parking (early - 8 to 9am?) in the day at Woverhampton should be easier.
Parking in Wolverhampton:>
http://www.ukcarparks.info/wolverhampton-railway-station-car-park-wolverhampton#sthash.Dvyt3PjX.dpbs
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thank you, James!