(03 Sep 2021, 7:15 am)Ianthegoon wrote Bear in mind that Cross-Country tend to charge high prices for fares that they set, so it may work out a fair bit cheaper to go via London.  Alternatively use a fare-splitting site to bring the price down - Trainsplit is one such site that I've seen recommended.

I always used to get a return that allowed using the via London or Birmingham routes.
Was only ever a couple of quid more, but allowed for flexibility incase of meetings being delayed, disruption and a little bit of gricing if time allowed.

As for split ticketing - can't remember what the exact details are south of Birmingham, but a return to York, return York to Sheffield, return Sheffield to Derby and then Derby - Birmingham always saves a small fortune.