London to Windermere (and back) with a large dog - best/cheapest way?

Pthree

Even if you weren't taking the dog I would say DO NOT take the bus, it is awful, I did it once and swore never again.

Plenty of people do seem to take their dogs, I have seen up to Lab size on the train with no issues ( I also remember standing all the way from London to Oxenholme with about 30 other people and lady had bought her dog a ticket and refused to move him for someone with a walking stick to sit :mad:)

My advice would be to book in advance, bite the bullet and go 1st class leaving London around 3/4ish, I have done this loads of times and quite often I am the only one in the carraige, of course this is no gaurantee but the chances are there will be more seats for you to move to if people are a bit nervous.

Do you have any idea when you are going?

Every now and again have the odd dog loving family member visiting who drive back up to West Lakes or Manchester who I am sure wouldn't mind a bit of company and perhaps a contribution towards some petrol or something.

P3

Edit: I have just realised this wont help you to get back at all :wall:

krlyr

There was a bit mentioned about dogs travelling in the guard's van, could be worth enquiring about this as then you've only got to worry about the guard accepting a GSD rather than all the passengers that come and go.
Otherwise, might be worth changing the public perception... http://www.cakitches.com/general/dog-princess-costume.html :rotfl:

Fire_Fox

gettingready wrote: »

Paddypaws - yup, they gone last Saturday morning... sigh.....

FireFox, good idea with the email... wonder if they going to respond at all though.

no, nothing will freak her out to lash out or anything... she is a couch potato and it is very nlikely for her to run into a fox/other dog on the train....I hope...

You've nothing to lose by e-mailing, and it sounds like you are not in a massive rush. From a stranger's point of view just barking or pulling could (wrongly) indicate Zara is dangerous or could frighten passengers. Unfortunately responsible owners like yourself suffer from the actions of the irresponsible ones. Fox not likely but dogs, cats and even wild birds travel on trains, would be worth being prepared IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R8bplXwA5M

gettingready

Thanks - no date in mind yet at all.

1st class? Oh dear..... £93 for a normal ticket is a fortune, never mind 1 class... buuu L(

I think midweek may be easier to travel... got a few days A/L still , have to keep a week for Zara's second operation in November....

Just wanted to get some ideas about cheap tickets but they always seem to be too closed to a £100.00

Fire_Fox

krlyr wrote: »

There was a bit mentioned about dogs travelling in the guard's van, could be worth enquiring about this as then you've only got to worry about the guard accepting a GSD rather than all the passengers that come and go.
Otherwise, might be worth changing the public perception... http://www.cakitches.com/general/dog-princess-costume.html :rotfl:

:rotfl: That actually could work!!! :rotfl:

gettingready

krlyr wrote: »

might be worth changing the public perception... http://www.cakitches.com/general/dog-princess-costume.html :rotfl:

Yup, definitely - this is sooooooooooooooooo (NOT) Zara

gettingready

Youtube blocked at work.. even at lunchtime buuu

Pthree

The key is booking in advance for the deals on 1st class tickets 10 weeks or so, although if you go on the weekend you can often upgrade for £15 and again early mornings are usually pretty quiet 1st class on the wkd.

In fact thinking about it the only time 1st class is ever busy is Friday evenings and Christmas!

NewKittenHelp

London Euston to Preston Lancs, and then Preston Lancs to Oxenholme (unless the train goes to Oxenholme) and then either the train onwards to Windermere. You should be able to pick up reasonable cheap tickets for these (3 months in advance is when the tickets are released), and the total journey time will be well under four hours if memory serves. Nearer three actually spent on the trains.

I can't advise how you would be travelling with a dog but I would recommend trying to book a seat on a carriage where others are not likely to sit because not everyone is OK with large dogs, and the guards would rightly prioritise a person over a dog. Perhaps if you phone the helpline they'll be able to advise you which seat would be best on both trains?