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Travel question: Winchester to Lyme Regis

Posted by (Virginia) on

Hi- I am a long-time forum reader, but this is my first time asking a question.

I’ll be in England March 16-26 with my mother. We plan to travel from Winchester to Lyme Regis on Sunday, March 19. I have already purchased train tickets from Winchester to Axminster (South Western Railway) and had planned to schedule a taxi from Axminster train station to Lyme Regis. I was aware of the train strikes, but understood those to be on Thursday and Saturday. Today, however, I received an alert that my train on Sunday morning might be also be canceled.

My questions: Should I be looking for alternative forms of travel? Is there a website or app that can help me find public bus service in that area? Would it be worthwhile to try to take a bus from Winchester to somewhere halfway and hire a private transfer the rest of the journey to Lyme Regis?

We are dedicated one-bag travelers, so won’t have a lot of luggage with us. Unfortunately, neither one of us feels comfortable driving in the UK, so renting a car is not an option.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Posted by
8136 posts

Second part of the question- the only bus to Lyme Regis is the X51/X53 Weymouth to Axminster - unfortunately that only runs from Weymouth to Lyme Regis on a Sunday (not on to Axminster)- last departure from Weymouth Railway Station is at 1400-
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/api/timetables/pdf?opco=6&day=su&service=X51%2FX53&print=pdf
You would use Traveline to plan a journey-
https://www.traveline.info/

But I don't think (no, certain) that you are going to get west of Salisbury on a Sunday on bus, or going via Southampton, west of Poole. The only Nat Ex coach is at 1550, arriving at Weymouth at 1950.

There is a train from Winchester to Weymouth at 1036 and 1136, arrive Weymouth 2 hours later.

At this stage I shouldn't worry too much. There is often early morning disruption the day after a strike day. Currently SWT have not confirmed timetables for the strike period. It is almost certain currently that some kind of a service will run. If your train is cancelled your ticket will be valid on the next available service.
So I would sit tight and don't panic for the next 10 days or so, and see what happens. I'm pretty certain currently (as far as anyone can be) that you will get to Axminster some time that day and even more certain that you could get to Weymouth in time for the 2pm bus.

Absolute worst case is that you end up on that coach to Weymouth, then taxi the last 32 miles to Lyme Regis, which I know wouldn't be cheap. But it would get you there.

Posted by
8136 posts

@ MariO- South Western Railway have now confirmed a normal Sunday timetable on Sunday 19 March.

However there is engineering work. The normal route from Winchester to Axminster would be Winchester to Basingstoke, change, train Basingstoke to Axminster.
But the line is closed from Basingstoke to Andover with bus replacements.
The diversion route is- Winchester to Southampton Central (the train starts at Winchester, not at London), change, train Southampton C to Salisbury, change, train Salisbury to Axminster. So check what routing your ticket has. If it is via Basingstoke, then you don't need to do anything, but you will need new timings. If it says via Southampton you are fine.

(this work would also have affected trains on the proposed route via the Weymouth bus, needing a change at Southampton, on what is normally a through train).

Posted by
3 posts

isn31c- We are booked Southampton Central to Salisbury. Thank you for the follow-up. It was very thoughtful!

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