National Rail Conditions of Travel - Part C: Planning Your Journey and Buying Your Ticket

3.1 It is possible to reserve seats on many train services. Where this is the case, it will generally be shown in the timetable information provided by National Rail Enquiries, Train Companies, Licensed Retailers and other information providers.

3.2 Some types of Ticket (for instance “advance” Tickets) require you to make a reservation when buying your Ticket. For other Tickets you can request a reservation either when buying a Ticket, or before the departure of your train on presentation of a valid Ticket, at most staffed stations. You are allowed a maximum of one seat reservation per person for each train that forms part of your journey.

3.3 Unless you have made a reservation, please note that your Ticket does not automatically entitle you to a seat, and at busy times you may have to stand. You will not be entitled to any refund in these cases unless you hold a first class Ticket and no first class seats were available on a train service where the timetable indicated that first class seats would be provided. More information on the refund to which you are entitled in such circumstances can be found in Condition 31.