After a peaceful and fast bus trip from London to Sheffield we checked into the Premier hotel only to be surrounded by snooker addicts who were in Sheffield for the world championships at the Crucible. We were probably the only people in the place that didn't know the event was on!
I fully recommend using National Express to travel about in the UK. It's cost effective and you get to see lots of the country. Rail is faster but very much more expensive. If you're our age (white haired crispy) it's even more cost effective!
It's better to travel than arrive ... then again ...