Timewise, it is virtually the same Basingstoke to Preston or Lincoln, although Lincoln is generally cheaper, being nearer. Depends a bit on finding the best advance fares. Halifax is worse on both counts.
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6-all...
One of the Halifax options from London is to "Change at Preston". Perhaps the crawl should be 6 or 7 pubs in each!
Yup - voted for Preston. I can't comment on the pubs but Preston is nearly an hour nearer by train and is direct rather than requiring a change. It's cheaper too.
Final score: Halifax 7 - 10 Preston.
I'll do a poll for some dates next, but a shorter 7-day one because the cheap train tickets will start to go soon.