Is London (& beyond) to Eastbourne valid via Brighton?

[Skimpot flyer]

Can anyone clear this up? In recent months I have been travelling from a station north of London, to Brighton, as I often spend the weekend there. The off-peak return that is valid for return travel 'any day within one month', after the Network Card discount, is £26.15.
Last weekend, however, my girlfriend asked me to meet her in Eastbourne, as we were staying overnight at her friend's house, after watching the tennis at Devonshire Park. To my surprise, the off-peak return that is valid for return travel 'any day within one month', after the Network Card discount, was £23.70, despite the journey from my home station to Eastbourne being a longer distance than a trip to Brighton!

In future, when travelling to Brighton, why would I NOT just purchase an off-peak return to Eastbourne, break my journey at Brighton, and simply not continue on to Eastbourne? London Victoria to Eastbourne via Brighton is, presumably, defined as a reasonable route ? A saving of £2.45 each time would soon add up....

 

[SteveP29]

Depending on your ticket type if you end your journey early, you may be charged an excess fare (that's if you get caught of course!)

Page 11 of this gives more info...
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/content/NRCOC.pdf

 

[telstarbox]

This doesn't usually apply to an off-peak return (SVR).

 

[Bungle73]

I'm not sure why this has been moved to "Disputes & Prosecutions" when it's more suited to "Fares Advice & Policy"? :?

 

[jkdd77]

The London-Eastbourne SVR takes restriction code 4B which allows BoJ on both legs, and indeed allows travel via Brighton.

If travelling from the likes of Hertford or Welywn North (the prices appear to match those quoted by the OP), the restriction code of 5M for travel to Eastbourne also allows BoJ on both legs.

So, assuming I have correctly guessed the OP's starting station, the answer to the question is that it is permitted to buy the Eastbourne SVR and 'stop short' at Brighton.

 

[soil]

There is no reason not to do this at all, perfectly legitimate, permitted, and reasonable.

Cheaper still, albeit not quite as straightforward, would likely be a ticket to Ashford International, which is most likely priced at £20.25 and routed Not Valid on HS1, and should be valid London - Brighton - Hastings - Ashford International, with break/end of journey at Brighton permissible.

 

[sonic2009]

Which station north of London do you travel from?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Which station north of London do you travel from?

one of the two that jkdd77 identified, but misspelt
It is, of course, W New Thornly