Most Scenic Bus Route

[backontrack]

It has a bizarre timetable, being a circular route but not very balanced, with 7 buses per day running the loop one way and 4 the other.

More services do the 77A because it takes walkers from Keswick to Catbells in the morning. They tend to walk up the fell and perhaps come down into the Newlands Valley, or into Grange. The 77 picks them up in the evening (which explains why the 77 is the last bus).

When Mum and I did Catbells last year, we missed both the last boat on Derwentwater, and the penultimate 77 (there wasn't another bus from Hawse End into Keswick for two hours), so we had a nice walk through the woods to Portinscale instead, where we were picked up by a friend.

 

[randyrippley]

It has a bizarre timetable, being a circular route but not very balanced, with 7 buses per day running the loop one way and 4 the other.

I thought there was an unofficial one-way system for buses and coaches on that route to try and avoid congestion?

 

[backontrack]

When I used to visit the Lake District regularly, we were told that the Honister Pass was the wettest place in England!

Technically, the wettest place in England is meant to be Seathwaite, to the south of Borrowdale. As this hamlet is located beneath the Scafells, the Gables and the Sty Head Pass, this is not especially surprising.

 

[randyrippley]

Ooh yes the 555 - a wonderful route.

I wish they ran some of the open toppers on it, that really would make it fun

 

[backontrack]

I wish they ran some of the open toppers on it, that really would make it fun

It would be fun! Perhaps impractical on the dual carriageway, though...

 

[BlueFox]

I thought there was an unofficial one-way system for buses and coaches on that route to try and avoid congestion?

There shouldn't be any coaches, there are signs saying local buses only.

 

[randyrippley]

It would be fun! Perhaps impractical on the dual carriageway, though...

even better on the motorway "fast" version of the route

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

308 Huddersfield to Holmfirth is my top pick, climbing out of Honley on single lane roads then over the hill down into Netherthong, great scenery and decker allocated 99%. Also 232 Huddersfield to Wakefield is nice, across Emley Moor then down a very steep hill and up the other side (great when the driver is a bit of loony and gets their foot down)!

 

[xc170]

The S2 Sherpa bus from Llanberis to Betws-y-Coed. And a close 2nd was the then 94 service from Barmouth to Wrexham with one of Dolgellau's Bristol VRs. Now the T3 and has a couple of E400 Scania deckers.

The S2 is a stunning route, I've not done the full route into Llanberis, I got off at Pen-y-pass, had a coffee and cake in the YHA and a enjoyed the views from the foot of Snowdon, must do it again this year.

 

[carlberry]

The S2 is a stunning route, I've not done the full route into Llanberis, I got off at Pen-y-pass, had a coffee and cake in the YHA and a enjoyed the views from the foot of Snowdon, must do it again this year.

The S1 (Nantperis shuttle) is often a double decker and, in the past, has been an open topper.

 

[carlberry]

The 118 (Swansea-Brecon) service was wonderful when it was worked with Bristol VRs many years ago. Not quite the same since with single deckers, now the T6.

 

[xc170]

The S1 (Nantperis shuttle) is often a double decker and, in the past, has been an open topper.

It's on my list of must do routes.

Are you the carlberry behind the bus travel search website of the same name?

 

[carlberry]

It's on my list of must do routes.

Are you the carlberry behind the bus travel search website of the same name?

Guilty.

 

[xc170]

Guilty.

Then I'd just like to thank you for creating such a useful site, been using it for years to plan days out!

 

[Typhoon]

On that list, I don't think there are any Kent routes - there are many scenic routes in Kent. The Wave 100/101/102 is excellent (Dover - Hastings in E. Sussex), 155 (Chatham - Maidstone), the 18 (Canterbury-Hythe), and also the 541/542/544 shoppers routes, to name but a few.

​

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been on part of the 544 recently, reminded me how impressive they can be at the right time of year.

I miss the old Canterbury to Walmer route 14, via Littlebourne, Wingham, Staple, Ash, Sandwich, Eastry, Northbourne and Deal. It was a lovely scenic route.

Worth giving these routes a go, if you haven't tried them - the section to Staple is the same

So do I! Especially as it was a double-deck route! You got to see some very rural Kent on the 14. The 43 (previously numbered 13), which goes on the main roads, is still scenic, but the 14 ventured to Staple and Northbourne which are all narrow lanes. Greatly missed!

I would argue that the 541/542/544 go along narrower lanes - between Staple and Goodnestone and route into Nonington church (possibly more). Shame it is never going to justify a double-decker!​

 

[route101]

Arriva X18 from Newcastle to Berwick. A double-deck bus that operates mainly along the coast via Morpeth, Amble, Warkworth, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Craster, Seahouses and Bamburgh. Lovely.

Arriva/Stagecoach 685 from Newcastle to Carlisle also includes some lovely scenic landscapes - sadly only a single-decker though.

Doing the X18 tomorrow . Looking forward to it

 

[pitdiver]

How about Shiel Buses route 500 Mallaig - Fort William?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Doing the X18 tomorrow . Looking forward to it

You’ll have the weather for it. It’s a cracking run and whilst Bamburgh and Craster are lovely, my favourite part is around Budle Bay near Belford. Mind you, it’s all great.

 

[route101]

You’ll have the weather for it. It’s a cracking run and whilst Bamburgh and Craster are lovely, my favourite part is around Budle Bay near Belford. Mind you, it’s all great.

Doing Berwick to newcastle . Will buy a dayticket may jump off en route.

 

[alex397]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been on part of the 544 recently, reminded me how impressive they can be at the right time of year.

Great to hear. The 544 is the only one i've been on, from Deal to Canterbury. The 542 is next on my list, as that is meant to be even more scenic apparently.

I would argue that the 541/542/544 go along narrower lanes - between Staple and Goodnestone and route into Nonington church (possibly more). Shame it is never going to justify a double-decker!

​

I would agree, it can get very narrow. Same width as the bus in some places, I believe. I haven't been on the route since it was diverted to Staple. Out of interest, did anyone get on/off at Staple?

The 14 felt more unique given its hourly frequency to small villages down narrow lanes, with double deckers.

 

[E-Rail]

Again, the Wave (100/1/2) is a good choice. Unfortunately the version that I would prefer (Dover - Lydd-on-Sea - Lydd - Camber -Rye - Winchelsea Beach - Hastings) does not currently exist. I would also add The Wave 99 (Hastings to Eastbourne, in that direction) in neighbouring East Sussex.

You get your wish (partly) from 3 June as the 102 will be the only route left running from Dover via Lydd-On-Sea to Rye once an hour. 100 and 101 will operate only between Rye and Hastings. No through journeys across Rye and Hastings depot will no longer work beyond Rye. No direct service between New Romney and Lydd, everything 102 via Greatstone. Frequency cut to 3 buses an hour between Dover and Greatstone.

 

[route101]

You’ll have the weather for it. It’s a cracking run and whilst Bamburgh and Craster are lovely, my favourite part is around Budle Bay near Belford. Mind you, it’s all great.

Yeah , done the whole route , the 1007 from Berwick to Newcastle . Must of been the only person crazy enough to do so. £6.60 for the dayticket . Craster was my favourite bit . Two driver changes at Alnwick and Morpeth. was raining heavily in Newcastle.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yeah , done the whole route , the 1007 from Berwick to Newcastle . Must of been the only person crazy enough to do so. £6.60 for the dayticket . Craster was my favourite bit . Two driver changes at Alnwick and Morpeth. was raining heavily in Newcastle.

Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[Smethwickian]

Craster was my favourite bit ..

Is there anywhere else that full-size double-deckers make such a tight squeeze - alongside the harbour and the reverse into that tiny bus bay? Almost tempted to claim it's Britain's smallest bus station! But not to go off-topic, I too would vote for that X18, along perhaps with the York to Whitby 840 across the N Y Moors.

 

[Mag_seven]

along perhaps with the York to Whitby 840 across the N Y Moors.

Result is in and the 840 is the winner

A double-decker serving the North Yorkshire Moors has been crowned the "most scenic" bus route in Britain.

The 840 Coastliner runs from all the way from Leeds to the coastal town of Whitby. But it's the leg that crosses the moorland, from Pickering via Goathland and Sleights, that has earned the service the prize.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44226761

 

[Adlington]

Top three routes, from the BBC article, quoted above

• 840 Coastliner: Leeds to York/Pickering/Whitby via North York Moors - Transdev Blazefield
• 914/915/916: Glasgow/Fort William/Skye via Loch Lomond, Rannoch, Glencoe and Great Glen - Scottish Citylink
• 50: Bournemouth to Swanage via Sandbanks, Shell Bay and Studland - Morebus (Go Ahead)

As to the 840, it is the top route for some canines, too

[a pensioner] said her dog refuses to hop on any other bus

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Yeah , done the whole route , the 1007 from Berwick to Newcastle . Must of been the only person crazy enough to do so. £6.60 for the dayticket . Craster was my favourite bit . Two driver changes at Alnwick and Morpeth. was raining heavily in Newcastle.

I did that route last year, it was very good indeed, as is the winning Coastliner service to Whitby which was just mentioned on the 0800 radio 2 news.

 

[Typhoon]

I would agree, it can get very narrow. Same width as the bus in some places, I believe. I haven't been on the route since it was diverted to Staple. Out of interest, did anyone get on/off at Staple?

Yes, I've been on it twice since the change (afternoon journey each time) and each time the diversion was productive (2 passengers and 1 passenger). One, at least, could not get to any other stop under their own steam (I can't remember the other). I had previously caught the 14 at Staple mid afternoon towards Canterbury, two people got on besides me. Nothing for them now.
Some interesting manoeuvres when lorries approached in the other direction.

The 14 felt more unique given its hourly frequency to small villages down narrow lanes, with double deckers.

Agreed. I suppose my message was that all is not lost!​

 

[Typhoon]

You get your wish (partly) from 3 June as the 102 will be the only route left running from Dover via Lydd-On-Sea to Rye once an hour. 100 and 101 will operate only between Rye and Hastings. No through journeys across Rye and Hastings depot will no longer work beyond Rye. No direct service between New Romney and Lydd, everything 102 via Greatstone. Frequency cut to 3 buses an hour between Dover and Greatstone.

I'm not responsible for the cuts, honest!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I did that route last year, it was very good indeed, as is the winning Coastliner service to Whitby which was just mentioned on the 0800 radio 2 news.

The 840 is a great route as is the X18. To be fair, we are lucky to have some very scenic routes.

Good to see the 50 on there too, especially as you can combine with the 40 and 60 to have a stunning trip around Purbeck.