Tube Stop Baby – Pinner

January 8, 2019 by Penny Leave a Comment

After kicking off the Tube Stop Baby challenge at Watford we took a short trip down the Met line to Pinner in Zone 5. Eventually we’ll go to every station along the Met, but on this particular day time was limited and we just wanted somewhere for a short wander round and a cuppa. Having been to Pinner before I knew that the Main Street being just a stone’s throw from the station meant that this would meet our needs. The fact that there is a lift up to the footbridge making the station accessible with Tube Baby’s pram was an added bonus.

Pinner station was part of the tube’s expansion into the surrounding countryside in what was known as MetroLand. Nowadays it’s part of the London Borough of Harrow. Certainly when you get off the tube there you don’t feel at all like you’re in London. The station’s a bit tucked away behind Sainsburys, but when you head out onto the street there’s much more an old fashioned village feel to the place. When we visited everywhere was decked out in Christmas lights (which stupidly we forgot to photograph!) which added to the charm.

If you’re ever planning to visit Pinner one thing you need to watch is the fact that in the peak hour trains run “fast” between Moor Park and Harrow-on-the-Hill meaning that they don’t stop at Pinner, or other intermediate stations. The Metropolitan Line is the only one on the London Underground to run “express” services like these, with some services also missing out Wembley Park, Preston Road and Northwick Park at certain times of the day. As someone who has once lived at one of these stations, it’s a quirk you quickly get used to, but one that catches other less frequent travellers out a lot!

Tube Stop Baby Facts – Pinner

Date of visit: 13 December 2018

Underground Line(s): Metropolitan

Zone: 5

If you want to know more about our Tube Stop Baby Challenge then pop over here and have a read.

Tube Stop Baby – Watford

January 1, 2019 by Penny Leave a Comment

Our Tube Stop Baby challenge ended up starting at our “local” Underground station – Watford.

It comes as a bit of a surprise to some people to discover that Watford is on the tube, but it very much is. Even if it is right at the top end of the Metropolitan Line where most regular tube users don’t venture. The expansion of the Met Line into Herfordshire and beyond (at one point it went as far as Verney Junction which is an incredibly 50 miles from Baker Street!) was part of a huge campaign to encourage people to move out of London into the surrounding countryside (named Metro-Land), whilst still commuting into the capital.

Now, one of three northern termini (along with Amersham and Chesham) Watford is actually quite a quiet and sleepy station compared to many, and is located in a residential part of the town, close to the wonderful Cassiobury Park.

Watford station has been under threat of closure now for quite a while due to plans for an expansion of the line from Croxley to Watford Junction. For years people have wanted an underground station closer to the centre of the town (at the moment is is served by National Rail stations at Watford Junction and Watford High Street), but these plans keep getting pushed back due to funding issues and at the time of writing no one seems to know what is really happening with the plans.

For us though Watford is a convenient place to start our journey, and a lovely Arts and Crafts style station (designed by the Metropolitan Railway’s architect Charles Walter Clark who was responsible for 25 stations on the line in total). It may be quiet but there’s something rather quaint and lovely about it too.

Tube Stop Baby Facts – Watford

Date of visit: 13 December 2018

Underground Line(s): Metropolitan

Zone: 7

Introducing Tube Stop Baby

January 1, 2019 by Penny 2 Comments

Sometimes you have a crazy idea, convince yourself it’s genius, then the next day realise that it’s actually a bit too bonkers, even for you. That’s pretty much what happened with my Tube Stop Baby plan. But, without the last stage. The Tube Stop Baby challenge is on!

Inspired by the likes of Geoff and Vicki from All the Stations, and also Louise from Little Heart Big Love (who, with her husband and daughter Jessica visited all the gold postboxes that were painted to celebrate the London 2012 Gold Medal winners), we decided that Little Miss D needed a challenge of her own. And seeing as she’s my and Bonn’s daughter it had to be a train related one. All the National Rail stations seemed a bit much for a baby, but the London Underground should be a bit more manageable. Living not that far from London we’re often there – either for work or pleasure – so taking LMD with us isn’t exactly difficult.

So, that’s exactly what we’re planning. For her to visit all the stations on the London Underground – and hopefully be the youngest person to do so. Not that I’ve researched if there is any such record, but then again we’re just doing this for fun, so it doesn’t really matter.

Looking at the tube map, we might even extend it to include all the stations on TfL Rail (if you know what that is!) and London Overground too. Maybe even the tram and the Emirates Air Line if we find the time.

We’ll document it all here on Penny Travels, and have also set up up her own Instagram account too (Tube Stop Baby if you’re interested in following).

It’s all a bit crazy, but after the year we’ve just had that seems somewhat appropriate for us and her. Hope you’ll join us for the journey!

The Island Line – The Isle of Wight’s railway

October 31, 2018 by Penny Leave a Comment

Where can you ride a tube train along a pier? On the Isle of Wight’s Island Line – that’s where!

Not everyone realises that the Isle of Wight has its own railway. Fewer people realise the historical significance of it, especially for lovers of the London Underground.

The Island Line – basic facts

Let’s start with the basic facts. The Island Line runs between Ryde on the north of the Isle of Wight and Shanklin, which is eight and a half miles south along the Eastern coast of the island. It is actually part of the main National Rail infrastructure and is currently under the South Western Railway franchise. You can plan journeys via the main online National Rail planners and can use all regular railcards and through tickets on the service.

The northerly most station is Ryde Pier Head, where the service connects with the passenger ferry to Portsmouth Harbour. It then continues south through Smallbrook Junction, which is an unusual station in that it exists purely to serve the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. There is no separate public access and was actually opened by British Rail in 1991 when the Steam Railway was extended to reach the Island Line. It is therefore only served by Island Line services on the days that the Steam Railway is running.

The southern terminus is Shanklin, yet originally the route extended on to Ventnor but services on this section ceased in 1966.

So, what makes it so special you may be wondering? I fully admit that all the above just makes it sound like a regular train service?

Rolling Stock

The answer lies in the rolling stock.

The Island Line is served by 1938 London Underground tube stock and when you’re travelling on board you can expect to be somewhat confused about where you are and where you’re going, simply because it still just feels like you’re in London as soon as you step aboard.

The reason for this slightly strange old rolling stock is because the ceiling of the Ryde tunnel is 10 inches too low for “standard” National Rail rolling stock. This means that the 1938 tube stock has the honour of being the oldest passenger rolling stock operating timetabled services on the National Rail network.

A trip back in time

As well as feeling like you’re in London, a trip on the Island Line is also a bit like a trip back in time. All the stations have a vintage feel to them, with lots of cream and green paint and old fashioned signs and station canopies.

I also wouldn’t be a proper train geek if I didn’t mention the moquette.

The particular train we travelled on featured what I remember as Metropolitan Line moquette on the main seats, but there was also a treat inshore if you pulled down the guard’s seat (remember these 1938 London Underground trains had guards – something that the Island Line has too!)

There you reveal a different moquette design – one that I think was a Network Southeast National Rail design. Although I’m trying to double check that fact!

Feel the bounce!

What you do notice as you travel on the Island Line is just how the rolling stock wasn’t really designed for this kind of journey. You really feel yourself being bounced along as you travel and as much as I love the Island Line I just couldn’t ever call it a “comfortable” ride in that sense.

If you’ve ever lived or commuted in London though you’ll find it a slightly strange travel experience. It feels, and sounds, just like the London Underground, yet the view out of the window is a million miles away. As you go along Ryde Pier you’ve got the Solent on either side of you and you can watch the Hovercrafts. You don’t get that in Zone 1!

Listen to our trip

Why not join Bonn and I as we travel along the Island Line? We’re delighted to say that episode 2 of our new Hobbies and Interests podcast was recorded as we travelled along the Island Line earlier in the year. Why not plug in your headphones and travel with us?

Leighton Buzzard Railway

October 9, 2018 by Penny Leave a Comment

I have a completely train mad son. And if I’m honest Bonn and I are pretty big train fans too. It therefore goes without saying that we tend to visit quite a lot of train lines around the country. Both in terms of the visitor attraction heritage railways and also just exercising our family railcard. We’re plotting a little train related challenge for when our baby arrives later in the year, but until then I thought it about time to start documenting some of the lines that we visit. Our “local line” is the Leighton Buzzard Railway here in Bedfordshire, so it seems the right place to start documenting things.

This narrow gauge railway describes itself as England’s Friendly Little Line and I think it’s quite a fitting description. At just under 3 miles long, it was originally built to serve the various sand quarries to the north of this market town, but when they switched to using road transport it was handed over to volunteers and opened as a heritage line.

The route

The thing about the Leighton Buzzard Railway that makes it slightly unusual is what it runs past. For a large proportion of the route you’re going past 1970s style housing stock, and whilst that’s interesting in its own way, I certainly wouldn’t call it a view for typical tourists! The last half a mile or so to the Stonehenge Works, where the line currently ends, you are in the countryside, but this feels quite different to the housing estate before.

The route also features several level crossings where the train has to stop for staff to go and stand on the road and stop traffic with little flags to let the trains pass. It’s very quaint and one of the most exciting things in the world for six year old train addicts like my son!

More to see and do

At both ends of the route there is plenty to see and do. You start your journey at Pages’ Park where there is an impressive modern souvenir shop in the new station building, along with tours of the engine shed itself. In the latter you can find out all about the railway and the engines that they now run on it. Leighton Buzzard Railway actually has one of the largest collections of narrow-gauge locomotives in the UK, and some of them have previously worked all over the world. It’s definitely an eye-opener to find out all about them.

Pages’ Park also features the 1940s themed Buzzrail Cafe, although shockingly I’m yet to actually manage a visit there.

At the far end of the route, Stonehenge Works features a cute craft shop that also serves light refreshments before your return journey. The works also house all the locomotives and rolling stock that aren’t in current passenger service, along with various exhibitions about narrow gauge railways through history. There are also engines for children to clamber all over, which they obviously love.

Extending the line

There are also plans for the line to be extended further. The group running the Leighton Buzzard Railway have now secured the full length of the original line – meaning that they should be able to run an extra half a mile into the countryside beyond Stonehenge Works. The first part of this (to Mundays Hill) is hoped to be open in late 2019. In time for us to make a return trip with baby in tow!

Visiting the Leighton Buzzard Railway

You can find all the latest opening hours and timetables on the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s own website, where you can also book tickets. At various times of the year they run special services whether that be for Christmas, Easter, Fathers Day or some other event.

Pages’ Park station, where you start your journey on the Leighton Buzzard Railway is situated on the south side of Leighton Buzzard. It is well signposted with tourist Brown Signs, many featuring a steam engine logo on them. There is a car park available on site and it is next to a park which features a nice children’s playground. Full directions are available on their website.

Rushmere Country Park – woodland, heathland and meadow in Bedfordshire

August 13, 2018 by Penny 2 Comments

Sometime you stumble upon somewhere that’s just perfect for the day out you had in mind, and that’s exactly what happened for us when we went to Rushmere Country Park in Bedfordshire.

We were on the lookout for somewhere for a nice walk. Somewhere where the kids could run off a bit of steam. And somewhere where we could appreciate nature and the countryside around us.

I’d initially heard of Rushmere Country Park as someone local had told me that it was the ideal place for kids with some decent bits of playground equipment. I’d managed to find their website, but as with so many places like this, you only really get a feel for them when you visit.

Where to find Rushmere

Located in Heath and Reach, just outside Leighton Buzzard, Rushmere Country Park is 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows, managed by the Greensand Trust on a not for profit basis. It is free to visit, with visitors just being asked to pay to park in the park.

Things to see and do

The main car park is located off Linslade Road and there you will also find the Herons View Visitors Centre and the ‘Tree Tops Cafe”. From here you can look down on the heronry. Established over the last 16 years this provides a secure breeding ground for approximately 10+ pairs of breeding grey herons each year. There are binoculars available to use, along with remote cameras. It’s an excellent opportunity to see the herons up close.

The main thing that we liked about Rushmere Country Park is that there was plenty of opportunity for children to just enjoy being children. As well as several play spots around the park – encouraging children to have a go at balancing, climbing, hiding, exploring, listening and looking – there are also loads of naturally occurring play areas too. Along the main path several fairy doors have been put in, which are perfect for younger children.

Our three kids spent ages just exploring the rhododendron bushes and the den like areas created under them. You know you’re on to a winner when your five year old (who didn’t want to go out originally!) describes it as “the best day out ever!”.

Finding your way around

Maps of the site are available from the visitor’s centre, and these show the different footpaths, bridleways and trails around the country park. There is also an access for all footpath that is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

The Woodpecker Trail is a circular walk of around an hour to the Stockgrove Lake and Visitor Centre (where there are also toilets and refreshments) and back. Not all of this is on the access for all route, although with a decent off-read pushchair I think you would manage. Although you might build up some good muscles in your arms in the uphill sections!

Our kids took their scooters with them, and although they needed to pull them in certain sections they did manage to get them all around the trail. Having the Stockgrove Visitor Centre at the half-way point of the trail was perfect for re-fuelling, especially since when we happened to be there there was an ice cream van parked up waiting for us.

A whole day of fun

There’s plenty at Rushmere Country Park to keep visitors entertained for a whole day. Especially families. As well as the refreshments available on site, there’s a decent sized picnic area and BBQs are allowed if raised off the ground. Dogs are also welcome at Rushmere.

There are cycling trails around the park, and some of these are really quite challenging in places, appealing to more experienced cyclists. Horse riders can also access the site along the public bridleway marked on the maps and on permissive horse routes (a Greensand Pass is required for this in advance).

Rushmere Country Park, Heron View Visitor Centre, Linslade Road, Heath and Reach, Bedfordshire, LU7 0EB. Tel: 01525 234260 www.greensandtrust.org