Train tickets... can i make stops?

[Hicks12]

Cant see a suitable section for this so apologises if ive missed it!. Basically going on another ale trail (tarka line : http://www.railaletrail.com/) and essentially im going from plymouth to barnstaple and then when i get there im going to a few pubs then getting back on the train and getting off at certain places to drink and getting back on. Last time i went i didnt buy the tickets but this time i have and im just trying to work out if the ticket guy sold me the right tickets!.

How does the return work? Do you need a special return ticket that allows you to make a break in the journey? Bare in mind that this is all happening in one day, not over multiple days so a day return type thing is ok. My tickets at the moment say Off peak day return, which is fine in regard to off peak as we checked with them and he said they all are ok (the line we taking), but im confused about the label on the bottom right saying " 2- part return" i dont understand what that means, unless it is on about having 2 tickets one for the outbound and inbound? Theres also validity that says see restrictions which funily enough i cant find...

ROUTE says any permitted, would that be right in meaning i can take any route as long as im making my way back to plymouth? Just want to make sure i have the correct tickets as ive never really had to make stops of trains when ive bought them and dont want to face a hefty fee for getting the correct ones!.

Any helps appreciate, the first great western website is pretty useless!.

[Behemoth]

Might be worth googling Passenger Focus mate and giving them a call, they'll know

[Guy]

First Great Western are useless.

Fixed that for you.

Tbh I'm not sure, I've found that surprisingly the staff in station ticket offices are usually quite helpful. They might be able to help.

[Splash]

2 part return essentially means your ticket ius in 2 parts: an outbound journey and a return. From the National Rail conditions of travel for Off Peak tickets

Break of journey
Break of journey is allowed on the outward portion of Off-Peak tickets unless otherwise indicated by a restriction shown against the ticket's validity code and in all cases on the return portion of Off-Peak return tickets.

You may start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station along the route of travel on Off-Peak tickets unless the ticket restriction for the journey you are making does not allow it. If you intend to start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station, please call 08457 48 49 50 to check if it is available on your specific journey.

NOTE: Cross London transfers will not be accepted by London Underground during this extension period.

In essence: yes, you can

[Hicks12]

It should be ok, i went in and bought them, i specifically mentioned going on this ale trail (he seemed to understand) and also said i wanted an open return (i assumed this meant getting on and off but it appears this isnt the case, its for a month thing and he knew we were returning same day).

Hopeing to get a text back from the friend who made the booking last time so just waiting for that. Found online in the help bit that this amazingly useful information:
Can I take a break in my journey?


Whether you are permitted to break your journey depends on the ticket type. In general more flexible tickets such as an 'Anytime' ticket will allow a break of journey, whereas the less flexible tickets will not.

The Terms and Conditions of each ticket type can be viewed when making a booking.

... brilliant, doesnt help me .
Although this Off-peak

Not valid on weekdays before 9.30am
Not valid early evening (between 3.30pm to 7.15pm) from major cities
Valid on all trains at weekends and on public holidays

does help apart from im unsure what they class as "major" cities, hoping i can find out .


edit: Thanks splash i didnt see your post, seems to answer most of my query apart from it appears that my ticket just has "See restrictions" on the validity part which i assume should have a code... their website doesnt have any restriction information unless im blind .

Thanks for all the replies .


edit2: right had to try and make a booking online and found the information!
"BREAK OF JOURNEY
You may start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station along the route of travel.

OTHER CONDITIONS
The outward portion of an Off-Peak Day Return ticket is only valid for travel when accompanied by an unused return portion.

Route
This ticket allows travel on any permitted route."

thats for the off peak day return which i have . They dont make it easy do they! Its even worse that i had to travel to the train station to book it as their silly groupsave doesnt work online, it doesnt apply the discount so i bet a lot of people got caught out by that .

Again thanks guys, this can be closed solved .

[jim]

When they say less flexible I think they're talking about booked tickets which tend to specify precisely which train they're valid for - i.e. the 8:04 from Euston to wherever. Obviously you can't change because the 8:04 is the only train you can use.

I once asked a South West Trains employee about this exact thing and he said "technically you should buy a new ticket". I took that to mean it's not essential, and I've done it loads of times. As long as you don't get screwed over by a ticket barrier swallowing your ticket (I've only ever had this once, normally they only take tickets that are terminating at that particular stop), it's fine.

[Splash]

Yep - the tickets have to conform to the national conditions of travel, and while TOCs can sell their own "special" tickets (usually discounted if you book a specific seat/journey a long time in advance) the only restriction on yours is that you cannot travel at peak times (peaks times vary from TOC to TOC, but I'm guessing this is an afternoon/evening/weekend thing in which case all is dandy)