Bus connection query Kings Lynn or Swanage

[STEVIEBOY1]

Good evening,

I am considering having a day by the coast next Saturday 22 Oct either to Hunstanton or Swanage. Does anyone know who runs the bus service from King's Lynn Station to Hunstanton? I thought it was first bus, but nothing comes up with them on the internet, the only thing that did was something called Norfolk Green who I have not heard of, are they are a new firm that now operates that route? the journey times seems quite long and the day return fare seems high.

Otherwise I will get the train to Wareham and take the W&D service to Swanage, although that only seems to be an hourley service, not sure what the fare is though.

Tks & Rgds.

 

[starrymarkb]

Norfolk Green are pretty much as good as you are going to get, they have won several awards in recent years. First have pulled out of Kings Lynn (bar the X1) as it was too remote from their other operations in the county

The Wilts and Dorset 40 is on winter timetable now so every hour and closed top in summer the 40 runs every 30 mins and the 50 every 20. If you want an interesting ride try the 50 which takes the ferry to Swanage - Call Wilts and Dorset for the fare - 01983 827005 - they are Go-Ahead so expect it to be expensive!

 

[Eagle]

The Wilts and Dorset 40 is on winter timetable now so every hour and closed top in summer the 40 runs every 30 mins and the 50 every 20. If you want an interesting ride try the 50 which takes the ferry to Swanage

The 50 also has the advantage of leaving from right outside Bournemouth station (which is easier to get to than Wareham).

 

[trentside]

The Norfolk Green Coasthopper bus only takes 35 minutes between King's Lynn and Hunstanton - it runs hourly. They also run the 10/11 routes which take up to an hour (these are the old First routes).

Details of the Coasthopper;
http://www.norfolkgreen.co.uk/services/service.aspx?serviceid=1029

 

[transportphoto]

Norfolk Green are the 'crem de la crem' of bus operators in the Norfolk area MUCH better than WorstGroup who have recently moved out of Kings Lynn

Through tickets to Hunstanton Bus are possible, the relevant codes are H616 \ HUS , though if you wish to enquire about fares then your best place would be Fares and Ticketing

TP

 

[Schnellzug]

You could also, of course, get the bus to Corfe castle and the Swanage Railway from there. It is, i find, Half Term Fun Week, but i shouldn't let that put you off. i don't think blue tank engines will be featuring.

 

[Blue Pool Halt]

Get a 50 bus from Bournemouth via Sandbanks chain ferry to Swanage - then enjoy the day on The Swanage Railway.

Used to live in Hunstanton - the bus from Kings Lynn ain't much fun, and these now't much to see at Sunnyhunny . The pier got sweept away, the old railway station is long gone - and you can't even get your pick n mix in Woolies whilst waiting for the bus out of the place

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Many thanks for the help and advice here, all very useful and will help me decide which destination to do, Swanage may win as I don't have to pay on SWT to Wareham or Bournemouth Railway Stations.

 

[Harlesden]

Hunstanton was destroyed - as a seaside resort - by British Railways, starting some years before Beeching, despite their promises to the local council to revitalize services.
In 1959, the Midland & Great Northern joint was closed thereby severing many connections to/from Hunstanton, and in 1966 the direct service to London from Hunstanton was withdrawn the following year, leaving the once successful resort with only a DMU service from King's Lynn.
British Railways could not seem to grasp the fact that once you withdraw connections to a line, then usage of that line will inevitably reduce because passengers no longer have easy access to it.
In Hunstanton's case, British Railways removed the mass of sidings and stabling facilities that enabled the packed excursion trains to serve the station, and then used reducing passenger numbers as an excuse to close the line.
British Railways did this one all on their own. Beeching had nothing to do with it.

 

[Blue Pool Halt]

Kings Lynn to Hunstanton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyp3wBqCuvE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Greenback]

I would also recommend the bus from Bournemouth. It is a very pelasant run featuring Sandbanks, the ferry across Poole Harbour and a pretty drive into Swanage. I have never been to Hunstanton so I cannot compare the place with Swanage, but we had a great day in the latter!