Britain's Most Scenic Bus routes

[route101]

Yes. Stunning! Used between Hexham and Penrith in 2021 including about 40 minutes stop in Alston. Absolutely outstanding ride!

Doing the trip tomorrow from Newcastle to Keswick.

 

[RELL6L]

Doing the trip tomorrow from Newcastle to Keswick.

I am envious. The best bit is just after Alston as you start descending but the section through the Eden valley into Penrith is great too. At Keswick try the 78 or, if time, the 77 or 77A

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Doing the trip tomorrow from Newcastle to Keswick.

You will absolutely love it. Not done the 888 but I have driven the same route in the car. Let us know how it goes

 

[Skiddaw]

It's passed me a few times has the 888 and I've often wondered what it's like to travel on. The road between Alston and Penrith is fab.

 

[RELL6L]

It's passed me a few times has the 888 and I've often wondered what it's like to travel on. The road between Alston and Penrith is fab.

Having searched I found that I posted a trip report- before the Trips thread was started- on Go North East post 312 with a few photos on Go North East post 325 including a couple from this section. Currently abroad or I would find the originals

 

[Cheers Drive]

The 95 between Bude and Wadebridge also gives some lovely views of the Atlantic coast around Boscastle and Tintagel.

In 2020 I was lucky enough to be driving this route the amended Sunday version every day through rock polzeath crackington tintagel etc and yes it was heaven beautiful quiet country lanes so many beautiful villages I wouod often stop in Boscastle in fact on insta there is an account called transportforcornwall and I have some great photos from this route.

 

[BuhSnarf]

In 2020 I was lucky enough to be driving this route the amended Sunday version every day through rock polzeath crackington tintagel etc and yes it was heaven beautiful quiet country lanes so many beautiful villages I wouod often stop in Boscastle in fact on insta there is an account called transportforcornwall and I have some great photos from this route.

Yes, sadly with the route being so infrequent it stopped me getting off at Boscastle for a look around as it looks such a gorgeous quaint little village but I didn't think I'd want to then have to wait another two hours for the next bus!

 

[JKP]

Yes, sadly with the route being so infrequent it stopped me getting off at Boscastle for a look around as it looks such a gorgeous quaint little village but I didn't think I'd want to then have to wait another two hours for the next bus!

You can easily spend two hours at Boscastle.

 

[tram21]

Currently on the 95. Such a lovely and scenic route- highly recommended!

If I had more time I'd love to get off in Boscastle and Tintagel (and the castle is amazing!)- perhaps you can walk between them?

 

[YorkRailFan]

perhaps you can walk between them?

There is the South West Coast Path. Although I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is scared of heights/cliff edges or is not a confident walker.

 

[route101]

I am envious. The best bit is just after Alston as you start descending but the section through the Eden valley into Penrith is great too. At Keswick try the 78 or, if time, the 77 or 77A

I tried the 78 for the first time, more scenic than I thought. I did do the 77 a decade ago and will do it again when I have more time.

 

[Cheers Drive]

Yes, sadly with the route being so infrequent it stopped me getting off at Boscastle for a look around as it looks such a gorgeous quaint little village but I didn't think I'd want to then have to wait another two hours for the next bus!

Yes unfortunately we always passed in the lanes just after boscastle and I would have a break in bude on the bus and then drive it back, awesome duty. It’s a very long route too like 3hrs each way ot it was when it was Newquay to Bude. I feel like there should be a Newquay to Barnstaple bus it would be such a beautiful route and there are no coaches ot trains thay do this the only way is to change at Bude or go to Exeter.

 

[YorkRailFan]

I feel like there should be a Newquay to Barnstaple bus it would be such a beautiful route and there are no coaches ot trains thay do this the only way is to change at Bude or go to Exeter.

You can continue up the coast from Bude on the 219 to Hartland and then change in Hartland to the 319 to Barnstaple. I believe the connection in Hartland is a "guaranteed connection."

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

You can continue up the coast from Bude on the 219 to Hartland and then change in Hartland to the 319 to Barnstaple. I believe the connection in Hartland is a "guaranteed connection."

It's not a guaranteed connection but there's typically a 10-15 min window where both vehicles meet.

 

[YorkRailFan]

It's not a guaranteed connection but there's typically a 10-15 min window where both vehicles meet.

Ah my bad, it used to be labelled as a guaranteed connection in the timetable but no longer seems to be.

 

[EMU303]

Bus Vannin X3 service over the mountain road on the Isle of Man. Uniquely the only bus journey in the UK where (on a very clear day) you can see Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales from the top deck! Can also be a hair raising experience given the topography and speed of the bus, although the Manx locals take it in their stride.
Ironically it’s a commuter express peak hour route and not marketed for tourists, the tram will take you to the top of Snaefell mountain, something the bus (or cars) cannot do.

 

[tram21]

Bus Vannin X3 service over the mountain road on the Isle of Man. Uniquely the only bus journey in the UK where (on a very clear day) you can see Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales from the top deck! Can also be a hair raising experience given the topography and speed of the bus, although the Manx locals take it in their stride.
Ironically it’s a commuter express peak hour route and not marketed for tourists, the tram will take you to the top of Snaefell mountain, something the bus (or cars) cannot do.

Highly recommend this!! A double decker as well!!

 

[gka472l]

Did that a couple of years ago but all the way to Paignton from Dawlish Warren, never again, it seemed to serve every housing estate in South Devon!

Shaldon to Dawlish is rather scenic though, I agree.

Don't think the 11 has ever served Paignton, only goes as far as Torquay, and only really does a slight detour through Watcombe on it way into Torquay through St Marychurch & Babbacombe. The bit from Shaldon towards Torquay is spectacular along the coast, you can even spot the Isle of Portland approx 45 miles distant on a clear day (distinct 'wedge' shape on the horizon)

 

[Russel]

Don't think the 11 has ever served Paignton, only goes as far as Torquay, and only really does a slight detour through Watcombe on it way into Torquay through St Marychurch & Babbacombe. The bit from Shaldon towards Torquay is spectacular along the coast, you can even spot the Isle of Portland approx 45 miles distant on a clear day (distinct 'wedge' shape on the horizon)

No you're right, it was the previous incarnation of the 11 that ran from Dawlish Warren to Paignton, was it the 22?

It's been a few years!

 

[route101]

Citylink 926 is a great route for views, best bit is the rest and be thankful.

 

[geoffk]

No you're right, it was the previous incarnation of the 11 that ran from Dawlish Warren to Paignton, was it the 22?

It's been a few years!

Yes, it was the 22 from Dawlish Warren to South Devon College via Torquay and Paignton. 22 now starts from St. Marychurch and follows the same route to S Devon College, so that from St. Marychurch to Torquay you now have both the 11 and the 22.

 

[Rail2002]

The 125 from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth is a spectacular route, passing picturesque Bewdley and then through the Shropshire countryside. The only downside is it's run by the dreadful Rotala.

 

[Acathater]

Yes. Stunning! Used between Hexham and Penrith in 2021 including about 40 minutes stop in Alston. Absolutely outstanding ride!

Are ENCTS cards accepted on the 888?
The "cash only" warnings on the Wrights website makes me think "perhaps not"

 

[PaulWC]

Bus Vannin X3 service over the mountain road on the Isle of Man. Uniquely the only bus journey in the UK where (on a very clear day) you can see Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales from the top deck! Can also be a hair raising experience given the topography and speed of the bus, although the Manx locals take it in their stride.
Ironically it’s a commuter express peak hour route and not marketed for tourists, the tram will take you to the top of Snaefell mountain, something the bus (or cars) cannot do.

We did this on a visit to the Isle of Man a couple of years ago. Sadly, while the weather was OK in Douglas and sunny in Ramsey, it was foggy as hell going over the mountain, so we didn't see a thing!!! Luckily we did the moutain railway a couple of days later and the weather was a bit more accomodating. Any of the bus routes around the coast have some good views - the journey we took from Peel to Curraghs Wildlife Park was especially good.

 

[stevieinselby]

Are ENCTS cards accepted on the 888?
The "cash only" warnings on the Wrights website makes me think "perhaps not"

They would not be the only operator to still be cash-only (North Yorkshire Council is another one, on the routes they run with their own minibuses) but that doesn't mean they won't accept ENCTS cards, as a statutory requirement – most operators were accepting ENCTS for a decade or more before card payments came in!

 

[M60lad]

Regarding 125 it was even more scenic earlier this summer when one of the roads it normally uses out of Bridgnorth was closed and it had to take what was another quite scenic route for it to get back on route.

 

[daodao]

They would not be the only operator to still be cash-only (North Yorkshire Council is another one, on the routes they run with their own minibuses) but that doesn't mean they won't accept ENCTS cards, as a statutory requirement – most operators were accepting ENCTS for a decade or more before card payments came in! It isn't a seasonal or tourist service, it doesn't have any long non-stop sections, it doesn't have any pre-booking, I can't think of any other reason why it would be exempt.

Route 888 is a seasonal service, running July to September, with limited stops west of Alston, primarily for tourists from North East England travelling to/from the Lake District. It is also shown as a through service, unlike other former coach routes such as the Trans Peak route, which are currently shown as separate sections with no change of vehicle, in order to comply with regulations about the length of stage carriage local bus services.

 

[stevieinselby]

Route 888 is a seasonal service, running July to September, primarily for tourists from North East England travelling to/from the Lake District.

Ah, sorry, I'd missed that.

 

[Cambus731]

I haven't read through the entire thread so it may have already been mentioned but if you can catch a 101 from Chatham to Maidstone on a sunny day, you get a lovely view of the Weald of Kent as it thunders down Blue Bell Hill

 

[Oxfordblues]

I would nominate West Coast Motors' 423 from Ardrishaig to Oban via Kilmartin. We used it as a paddlesteamer replacement service back in May when the Waverley trip from Glasgow to Oban was cancelled. A spectacular route.