Best places to photgraph buses?

[Charlie2555]

Does anyone know some decent places to photograph buses in the UK. I have recently become more interested in them, especially the older models. Preferably the place would be in the South of England but any suggestions would be welcome!
An ideal place would include a regular frequency of buses/ coaches with a decent variety of models and companies.
As I said earlier, I prefer older buses (i.e pre 2001) but I'm not too picky!
I would be very grateful for a few ideas!

Thanks very much,

 

[Anon Mouse]

If you can get to Newcastle-upon-Tyne there is a back entrance to Eldon Square Shopping Centre inbetween Haymarket & Eldon Square Bus Stations. The entrance is by metal stairs/walkway on the side of M&S (above the pick up by car) and you get a champion view of the buses to/fro the two bus stations

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/5479480595/in/set-72157620717706493 - walkway is in background

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/5479480607/in/set-72157620717706493/ - from walkway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/5484848701/in/set-72157620717706493/ - also from walkway

 

[Charlie2555]

If you can get to Newcastle-upon-Tyne there is a back entrance to Eldon Square Shopping Centre inbetween Haymarket & Eldon Square Bus Stations. The entrance is by metal stairs/walkway on the side of M&S (above the pick up by car) and you get a champion view of the buses to/fro the two bus stations

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/5479480595/in/set-72157620717706493 - walkway is in background

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/5479480607/in/set-72157620717706493/ - from walkway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/5484848701/in/set-72157620717706493/ - also from walkway

That looks like a good place, I'll go there if I manage to visit Newcastle again! Thanks.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

That looks like a good place, I'll go there if I manage to visit Newcastle again! Thanks.

Central Miton Keynes has quite a variety of vehicles and operators and the open spaces mean there aren't too many obstructions to taking photographs.

 

[83G/84D]

Central Leicester is good for a variety of operators and older buses as is the Stoke-on-Trent / Burslem area.

 

[Trainfan344]

Lowestoft has lots of older buses.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

the black country has a load of pre 2001 stock

 

[wintonian]

Does anyone know some decent places to photograph buses in the UK. I have recently become more interested in them, especially the older models. Preferably the place would be in the South of England but any suggestions would be welcome!
An ideal place would include a regular frequency of buses/ coaches with a decent variety of models and companies.
As I said earlier, I prefer older buses (i.e pre 2001) but I'm not too picky!
I would be very grateful for a few ideas!

Thanks very much,

How old is old?

Not exactly regular but the Friends of King Alfred Buses hold a running day every new year providing a (rather) basic service within the city area, which is more than anyone else manages to do. :-x

 

[Charlie2555]

How old is old?

Not exactly regular but the Friends of King Alfred Buses hold a running day every new year providing a (rather) basic service within the city area, which is more than anyone else manages to do. :-x

I'd class pre. 2001 as old (ish) .
Those look pretty good, I'll hopefully get to Winchester next running day! Thanks

 

[CROMPTON 33]

if you want pre 2001, take a look at stagecoach in eastbourne and hastings they seem to dump there older stuff down this way. or renown in bexhill in the old southdown livery they do not run on sunday's.

 

[SussexSpotter]

if you want pre 2001, take a look at stagecoach in eastbourne and hastings they seem to dump there older stuff down this way. or renown in bexhill in the old southdown livery they do not run on sunday's.

Not forgetting the famous Eastbourne Running day, with all kinds of classic buses, next one is Sunday July 14th

http://www.eastbourne-classicbus.co.uk/

 

[CROMPTON 33]

the worthing bus ralley is far better then the eastbourne one.

 

[wintonian]

If we are looking as bus rallies then there is one in Alton in July which you could combine with a trip to the Watercress Line with a free vintage bus ride from Alton/ Four Marks stations to connect the two.

Alternatively down round here in regular service pretty much anything run by xelabus- that's if you can find a timetable and the route still exist a couple of week after they have started it, though you are sure to find them on the free supermarket type runs.

 

[Charlie2555]

xelabus-

That looks a nice little bus company! Do you know if you have to do shopping to get a free bus ride? I like the look of their buses but I'm not a huge fan of supermarkets!

 

[Mutant Lemming]

It also depends if you are after a variety of operators, vehicles or liveries. Go Ahead Northern http://www.simplygo.com/our-services/ have quite a lot of 'themed' routes in differing colours. For differing operators you should look for a PTE area which has a lot of part subsidised services and visit at the time the service changes from the daytime commercial operators to the evening subsidised operators.

 

[221129]

Exeter Is another good one down here.

 

[Charlie2555]

Exeter Is another good one down here.

Where are some good spots in Exeter?

 

[wintonian]

That looks a nice little bus company! Do you know if you have to do shopping to get a free bus ride? I like the look of their buses but I'm not a huge fan of supermarkets!

Well if you like companys that don't seem to know how to run a commercial service let alone stick to one.

Just jump on their service and spend the hour or two before the return trip in Costa at Tesco or whatever coffee shop it is at the supermarket you choose to be taken too. If you take the Totton one then Asda is only a couple of mins down the main street, I warn you though being the poor end of the Forest Totton is a bit well.. like Totton, not much to look at, despite the bypass it has two trunk roads (A35 & A338) gong straight trough the centre having come of the end of the M271 and the people are well.. Tottonish.

Of-course you could just use the trip to the Supermarket and when the bus has disappeared hop on a local Stagecoach/ Bluestar/ First service back into town or for a ride round on a day ticket.

 

[Charlie2555]

Do you know of any good bus rallies or that kind of thing down in our area? I like vintage buses too!