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WB Harry Potter - getting there and back

I've been researching the best way for us to get to HP world, when we visit on a Saturday at the end of next March. Since we will be staying very near Earl's Court, I think we will try to use our Oyster cards on the direct Southern train from West Brompton to Watford Junction, but I had a few quick questions about doing so, ones that I couldn't really find an answer to after doing a forum search. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Since we are so close, I'm assuming it wouldn't be worth it to take the tube from Earl's Court to West Brompton - looks like a simple ten minute walk or so? (Larger additional cost as well!!) Also, I see times of 7:48 to 8:20 and 8:48 to 9:20 listed for this Saturday. Are the times the same each and every Saturday, (even for next year) or do we need to keep an eye on those changing in the future? Can I check about a week before we go and assume that it won't change then? And since it's a Saturday, I'm assuming the off-peak rate of £2.90 one way will apply? Also, we plan on spending quite a long time there (our entrance time is 9:30 and I can see us there 5 or more hours), so the question then is, does it tend to get crowded on the return trains at a certain time in the afternoon, with everyone tending to leave early afternoon, or should it be fairly steady all day?

Again, appreciate any and all advice! TIA

Posted by
2600 posts

Yes, it all makes sense.

Times shouldn't change much if at all. Fares might go up a tad (i.e. cost of inflation).

I guess on a Saturday afternoon if there's a football match on the trains might be busy after 5 pm coming back.

It's a workable plan.

Posted by
34010 posts

December is when the timetables change along with fares, and then again in May.

Weekends are often the time of engineering possessions when trains may be affected - check 8 weeks out.

Saturday is football day.

Posted by
254 posts

Ramblin' On and Nigel: Thanks for the replies!

I expected that there might be a bit of a fare hike, but hopefully it won't be much. It's very reasonable already.

Also, I am completely unfamiliar with how European football scheduling works. Would these matches you're referencing be local ones? When I went on the Watford football page, it only listed two matches, out just to the beginning of November. Is that the team whose schedule I should look for then? If they posted more as it got closer to the time we are traveling, and I could plan for it, that would be great!

And I'm guessing you suggested eight weeks out for maintenance on the tracks, because TfL won't know yet what work they might need to do that far in advance? (the website actually had April listed, but said there were no closures scheduled.) Knowing me, I'll probably be checking in there at least once a week in the eight weeks prior to going!

Thanks again!

Posted by
2600 posts

Traditionally, the kick-off time for football matches in England (and Scotland) was 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon.

Nowadays, as football has sold its soul to the TV broadcasters kick-off times are often rescheduled for TV.

Currently, the only home fixture Watford have in March is against Leicester City at 3 pm on 14th March. At first glance, this isn’t a “glamour” game, so broadcasters are unlikely to change the time. But as Leicester are currently third in the league this may become an important game so the time/day could change.

What you propose is a straightforward journey – it'll all work out OK.

Posted by
5467 posts

As it hasn't yet been addressed do walk to West Brompton, if only to avoid the long staircase that would be the only exit on your outward journey for the change to Southern. It will take little extra time if any.

Posted by
254 posts

Ramblin' On - Thanks for clarifying football scheduling for me. Sounds like European football (soccer) and US football (not soccer) are very much alike in re-scheduling games for tv based on how well a team is doing!! Can't count the number of times we've had that happen to one of the games we've wanted to watch. We'll just plan for what we can and hope for the best!

Marco - definitely walk to West Brompton; got it! Thanks for confirming!