train from bath to york via bristol?

not cheap https://www.lner.co.uk/

Clarity please.

Are you traveling from Bath to York OR from Bristol to York?

This is the website I use: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/live-trains/ then click on Plan a Journey.

Actually Bath; TY!

Is it usually OK to wait and purchase a train tic at the station in England?

That's a Sunday.

If going from Bath to York via Bristol book a through fare. Frequent trains from Bath to Bristol Temple Meads then there is a broadly hourly train which runs all the way to York, without changing.
It looks as if all advance tickets are sold out, so you will have to pay the full fare of £105.90. That has the benefit (unintentional) that you can take any train you like.
Cross Country say advance tickets were issued for that date, so they have sold out.

As you say 'we' buy a Two Together Railcard for £30 and you will get 34% off those fares and any other train journeys (after 0930 on a weekday) you make, and that will bring the fare for two down to £139.70.

There is only a minor saving to be made if you take the alternative route via London (into Paddington, out of Kings Cross).

The best website to check your times and book through is LNER, even though they are not the operator (they run the Kings Cross to York trains)
.

In answer to your question timed at 7.52 pm, as these are full fare tickets, yes you can book at Bath station. The only benefit of booking now is that you can reserve your seat.
Note that the GWR website which National Rail would redirect you to is spotty at best for US users.

Is it usually OK to wait and purchase a train tic at the station in England?

You can always buy a ticket and get on a train but there's no guarantee you will get a seat if the train is busy. Plus, walk-up fares are the most expensive choice.

The reason the trains are so busy that day is because it is the day after a strike day- and Cross Country are not announcing the level (if any) of service on that Strike Day (and won't be until 14 July- their date, not one I have made up).
With that in mind I think you certainly want to book now, to ensure you have a seat.

But what that also means is that they will not be confirming the Sunday timetable until 14 July- so your timings might change, even after booking. Or worse, your booked train may be cancelled meaning you will get a full refund and have to rebook.

Thanks for the tips!
I think I will book ahead; I see a route that looks good but requires getting onto the tube from Paddington to Kings cross to switch trains. This would be our first London experience (will be there later in the trip). Is this a pretty easy thing to do? Do we check our big bag or have it with us on the train?
Other choice is a longer ride but Bath to Bristol to York..
We are i our 60s but "spry" :-)

In the UK you don't check your bags, like on Amtrak long distance trains (such as the Lake Shore Limited in your case).

You take with them on to the train. There are big racks at the end of the end of each car for your bigger cases, and overhead racks above your seats for your smaller items.

At Paddington you will see the underground (tube) entrance in the middle of the concourse, as you come off the train. If in any doubt there are staff at the gateline who will show you the way to go.

If you book this as a through ticket Bath to York (which looks to be the cheaper option than 2 separate tickets Bath to Paddington and Kings Cross to York, at least on this date) then your ticket will include the cross London tube fare.

Take the Circle Line or the Hammersmith and City Line 5 stops to Kings Cross- which should take about 12 minutes.

Thanks for your help :-)

Kristin,

Just to add that, if you buy a through advance ticket- although that is valid on specified trains, the way the system works is that if your train from Bath into Paddington arrives late, meaning that you miss the York train, you are automatically entitled to catch the next train from Kings Cross. You don't have to do anything to change your ticket, although you might want to make a new seat reservation (for your comfort, but not essential) on your phone- on this web page-https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/make-a-reservation/
That can be done up to 5 minutes before departure of your new train.
Just tell the conductor if they ask when your ticket is checked, that your first train was late. They can easily check live train information.
A through fare gives you 45 to 50 minutes for the cross London connection, so if on time at Paddington you have no rush at all. If late please don't rush or panic. Don't dawdle, but do not panic either.