Not a phrase that you expect to hear from anyone travelling in the UK. But if you can avoid buying a wincingly-expensive walk-on train fare, there are amazing bargains to be had. For example, Hove in Sussex to Cromer in Norfolk. According to Google maps, that’s an awkward cross-country journey of just under 200 miles each way, or 400 miles return. In fuel terms, at around 35mpg that’s nearly 12 gallons of petrol, around 53 litres. At £1.40 a litre, that’s about £75, just for petrol. Taking a more realistic view, and including the other costs of running a car, we can use the figure agreed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, namely that running a car costs 45p per mile. Or, for Hove to Cromer and back, 400 miles = £180. The rail fare, using advance purchase and with a rail card, was £15.50 outbound and £18.15 return. Including the cost of the tube across London. Which totals £33.65. Even if you just compare it with the fuel costs of driving, this leaves around £40 for taxis, buses and everything else. Or, if you take into account the HMRC approved full costs of the journey (at 45p a mile), it means you are better off taking the train by nearly £150. Believe me now?
This café is in a great location on top of the lifeboat museum which looks out over Cromer beach and pier. The café specialises in seafood, with an emphasis on as much local sourcing of ingredients as possible. When we were there, pretty much everything was UK, and lots was from Norfolk or even Cromer itself, as the Food Miles Tracker (pictured) shows. The food is freshly prepared, tasty and inexpensive, served by a friendly and enthusiastic team. 
Not a phrase that you expect to hear from anyone travelling in the UK. But if you can avoid buying a wincingly-expensive walk-on train fare, there are amazing bargains to be had. For example, Hove in Sussex to Cromer in Norfolk. According to Google maps, that’s an awkward cross-country journey of just under 200 miles each way, or 400 miles return. In fuel terms, at around 35mpg that’s nearly 12 gallons of petrol, around 53 litres. At £1.40 a litre, that’s about £75, just for petrol. Taking a more realistic view, and including the other costs of running a car, we can use the figure agreed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, namely that running a car costs 45p per mile. Or, for Hove to Cromer and back, 400 miles = £180. The rail fare, using advance purchase and with a rail card, was £15.50 outbound and £18.15 return. Including the cost of the tube across London. Which totals £33.65. Even if you just compare it with the fuel costs of driving, this leaves around £40 for taxis, buses and everything else. Or, if you take into account the HMRC approved full costs of the journey (at 45p a mile), it means you are better off taking the train by nearly £150. Believe me now?
