Carlisle to Cardiff, returning via Moreton in Marsh

[Wearhead]

I am going to Cardiff from Carlisle in May, and on the way back would like to spend a night at Moreton in Marsh. Does the Off Peak return portion permit travel via Worcester Parkway, where I can get a local train (and ticket) to Moreton? The following day, what is my "permitted route" back to Carlisle, can I change at Birmingham for the WCML or do I have to go via Man Picc which is the outward route?

 

[Watershed]

The Off-Peak Return for this route has restriction code 2T, so it is valid from 4:15am onwards (i.e. in practice - it is valid at any time), and you can break your journey at any station along a permitted route, as many times as you like.

The ticket is valid along the WCML and various 'diversions' e.g. via Manchester, as far as Crewe if you choose to travel to Cardiff via Shrewsbury along the Marches line, or as far as Birmingham/Tamworth if you choose to travel via Cheltenham.

The Cheltenham route would normally involve travelling through Worcestershire Parkway, so you can break your journey there and just buy a ticket from Worcestershire Parkway to Moreton-in-Marsh.

You can get from Cardiff to Cheltenham either via Lydney or Bristol Parkway. From Cheltenham you can either proceed to Worcestershire Parkway directly (e.g. on the XC Cardiff-Nottingham service) or via Worcester Shrub Hill. Alternatively, you can also get from Cardiff to Worcestershire Parkway via Hereford and Worcester if you prefer.

The connections may work out best at Manchester, which is why journey planners probably suggest it, but you don't have to travel via Manchester. Your ticket is valid for any route between Birmingham/Crewe and Carlisle along map BE that doesn't involve doubling back:

 

[Wearhead]

The Off-Peak Return for this route has restriction code 2T, so it is valid from 4:15am onwards (i.e. in practice - it is valid at any time), and you can break your journey at any station along a permitted route, as many times as you like.

The ticket is valid along the WCML and various 'diversions' e.g. via Manchester, as far as Crewe if you choose to travel to Cardiff via Shrewsbury along the Marches line, or as far as Birmingham/Tamworth if you choose to travel via Cheltenham.

The Cheltenham route would normally involve travelling through Worcestershire Parkway, so you can break your journey there and just buy a ticket from Worcestershire Parkway to Moreton-in-Marsh.

You can get from Cardiff to Cheltenham either via Lydney or Bristol Parkway. From Cheltenham you can either proceed to Worcestershire Parkway directly (e.g. on the XC Cardiff-Nottingham service) or via Worcester Shrub Hill. Alternatively, you can also get from Cardiff to Worcestershire Parkway via Hereford and Worcester if you prefer.

The connections may work out best at Manchester, which is why journey planners probably suggest it, but you don't have to travel via Manchester. Your ticket is valid for any route between Birmingham/Crewe and Carlisle along map BE that doesn't involve doubling back:

View attachment 178471

Thank you, that is very helpful, I shall take the map with me.