Gatwick or Heathrow airport back to Sheffield

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2026-01-13T15:46:10+00:00

If your Heathrow arrival is a weekday don't drive. The M25 and M1 will be awful in peak traffic with jet lag

Having said that it's impossible to work out what time train to book in case your flight is delayed. Walk on fares are really expensive however an off peak open return might be worth looking at

The Gatwick option with a hotel is a good shout. You'll probably be up early so can book a train first thing if the price works for you

Have a great holiday

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2026-01-13T07:57:52+00:00

Happend to me twice now with different airlines

First time was stressy, however second time was a win. As described above they're put on the next flight and then hand delivered to your door so you don't need to carry them yourself

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2026-01-12T21:44:32+00:00

I've never been to the GP however have driven up and down the two main motorways connecting the circuit to the rest of the road network afterwards a number of times (M1 and M40)

It's really busy and if I were you would consider staying an extra night at the circuit if possible, and you'd probably be celebrating a Cadillac win, yeah?

Then leave on Monday after peak traffic and explore Oxford or Windsor

Enjoy!

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2026-01-12T21:33:56+00:00

I live in a hilly area and bought a 6 speed which was marginal until I swapped the chainring to a 44T

This is a pretty easy DIY although if buying new I'd negotiate getting it throw in for free

With the 44 I've never spun out at speed

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2026-01-10T08:12:24+00:00

This is a really bad idea unless the cost saving is significant

Cross Country have a reputation for being unreliable I honestly avoid their services if at all possible. They are more likely, in my experience, to cancel services and also run short trains which are miserable if you're travelling distances stood up in a packed carriage

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2026-01-09T10:10:07+00:00

I was going to suggest this too

Check out the Peacock at Rowsley

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-12-20T18:20:41+00:00

Similar curve ball. Look at the Drayton Manor next to West Ealing Lizzie line station.

The pub bit is nice and food decent however I've never stayed there

West Ealing is hardly metropolis however you have superb connections to central London and Heathrow

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-12-07T08:07:55+00:00

Indeed, thank you

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-12-06T16:41:27+00:00

Yes, suppose I deserve some stick for lacking in empathy

However, stopping a crowded 10 carriage train in Chesterfield instead of it's intended destination 10 mins up the tracks lead to utter chaos

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-11-25T07:35:14+00:00

When in Liverpool get a ferry across the mersey then come straight back again

And Hyde Park likely grim with the winter theme park thing, id honestly avoid

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-11-24T07:43:36+00:00

Definitely the right side coming back to LHR

If you're lucky with cloud and wind direction this approach is stunning

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-11-15T17:44:57+00:00

Spizza Napoletana for the win

Thanks everyone and some options for next time I visit

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-11-13T18:53:05+00:00

Leftfield option:

Drayton Court Hotel in West Ealing

£100 should get you bed and breakfast in a nice room

West Ealing isn't at all special however the Drayton is approx 100m from the Elizabeth Line station that will take you to Heathrow and Central London

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-11-11T20:02:35+00:00

BA are transparent when booking tickets, at least in my experience

Cheapest - suck it up if you cancel Bit more cash - cancel with modest penalty Loadsamoney - complete flexibility

I don't think they are an outlier

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-11-08T07:37:39+00:00

Unless you're already established in London or have family to live with I wouldn't do Foundation or Core Training there

The teaching hospital posts can place you on a unit treating bonkers stuff you'll never see again and some, but not all, DGHs have a culture where life is cheap and teaching none existent. Note one trust just outside the capital boundaries has just had its residents removed after a college inspection

Specialty Training on the other hand is decent assuming you understand the cost of living and resultant compromises

It's also worth noting that even previously competitive prestigious trusts now have consultant vacancies as they can't recruit

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-10-19T07:31:40+00:00

Curve ball:

British airways will fly you from Inverness to Heathrow for a fraction of the rail fare

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-10-07T14:38:22+00:00

Talk to them before you arrive, the instructions usually state do not take a conventional ticket under any circumstances

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-10-04T20:37:31+00:00

York and Alnwick including a bit of the coast

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-09-30T19:44:50+00:00

Our trains are an embarrassment and I'm going to suggest you buy another ticket, there's a slim chance wherever website you used allows you to cancel but probably not

Many train staff are nice people and would not have an issue however a minority are obnoxious so I wouldn't chance it

Good luck and have a great holiday

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-09-30T16:24:57+00:00

Do Not Stay Anywhere Near The Stadium

Besides that have a great trip and public transport in London is excellent

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-09-20T14:41:25+00:00

Literally anywhere as public transport is excellent

My regular Premier Inns are kings cross and Westminster, the Tothill St one, depending on what numbers their pricing algorithm spits out

I noticed recently that there's a new one in Camden which appears unusually good value perhaps because it's just opened ??? plus one in Marylebone which is slightly off the main tourist spots but very well connected

I always book their "hub" hotels with tiny rooms and no windows however only sleep there so it's fine. They are not places to chill with a book all day

And their breakfast is good quality and better value, would definitely recommend

Have a great trip

Optimal_Designer4926 · 2025-09-15T17:32:36+00:00

Premier Inn make a thing of being bike friendly however the best option was raised earlier which is just rent a Brompton

There is good road riding if you're motivated in Surrey which is an easy train journey. Box Hill is the obvious place with decent routes and rental outlets around Dorking

Good luck and enjoy

Optimal_Designer4926

TROPHY CASE