PADI Advanced Open Water

PADI Advanced Open Water Course

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Getting to Vobster From London

🚆 By Train (and a short taxi/ride at the end)

From London to Frome (Somerset)
Take a train from London Paddington to Frome station. This journey typically takes around 2 to 2½ hours depending on the service, with frequent departures throughout the day. Booking in advance can often get cheaper fares.

From Frome to Vobster Quay
From Frome station you’ll need to cover the remaining countryside miles to Upper Vobster. There’s no regular direct bus to Vobster Quay, so most people either:

Grab a taxi or rideshare from Frome (or nearby Bath/Radstock if your train is to Bath Spa instead) to Vobster Quay.

Or arrange a private transfer or local taxi in advance.

This final leg is roughly a 20–30 minute drive by road from Frome (or similar from Bath), taking you through scenic Somerset lanes.

🚗 By Car

Departure from London
Head out of London onto the M4 motorway westbound.

Follow the M4/M5 toward Somerset
Continue on the M4 past Reading and Bristol, then join the M5 southbound toward Somerset.

Exit for Radstock/Frome
Take an appropriate junction (e.g. M5 Junction 18 toward A36/A361) and follow the A roads toward Frome/Radstock.

Final Country Roads
Follow local signs toward Vobster/Upper Vobster. The centre is well-signposted in the last few miles; watch out for the junctions around Mells where following satnav alone can take you down a dead end – instead turn right toward Radstock/Kilmersdon when you reach the crossroads near Frome.

Getting to Vobster From Brighton

🚆 By Train (plus a short taxi at the end)

Train from Brighton to Frome

Catch a train from Brighton station toward the west/southwest.

You’ll usually need to change at one or two stations (common change points include Southampton or Westbury) before arriving at Frome station. Total journey time is typically around 3½ – 5½ hours depending on the route and connections.

From Frome to Vobster Quay

From Frome station, take a taxi or rideshare for the last leg – it’s roughly a 20 – 30 minute drive through Somerset’s rural roads to Vobster Quay.

👉 Because there’s no regular bus service serving Vobster Quay directly, pre-booking a taxi or private transfer from Frome (or nearby Bath/Radstock if your train route favours those) makes the journey much smoother.

🚗 By Car

Driving from Brighton to Vobster Quay is more direct and much faster than the rail option – great if you’re carrying gear or heading in a group.

Leave Brighton

Head out of the city toward the A27 westbound.

Join the Motorway Network

Follow signs to connect with the M27 and then the M3, taking you toward the M25 orbital around London if that’s the easiest route onto the M4 (or you can pick rural A-roads west if you prefer a more scenic route).

Alternatively, take the A27 toward the A303 and westward roads that link into Somerset (this route avoids some of the motorway network but is slower in spots).

Head Toward Somerset

Once on the M4, follow it toward Bristol, then onto the M5 southbound.

Exit around Junction 18/A36/A361 and follow signs toward Frome and Radstock.

Final Approach to Vobster Quay

From roads around Radstock/Frome, follow local B-roads toward Upper Vobster – signage for Vobster Quay helps on the last few miles.

Be wary of sat navs routing you down Mells Cottages Lane, which is a dead end – instead, at the main crossroads near Mells, turn right toward Radstock and you’ll see the Vobster Quay entrance soon after.

📍 Distance & Time (approximate):

It’s roughly 115 – 120 miles (185 – 193 km) from Brighton to Vobster Quay by road, and the drive typically takes about 2 ¾ – 3½ hours, depending on traffic and route.