Britain's Most Scenic Bus routes

[tram21]

Hi all,

I couldn't find a thread on this since 2018, so here goes: what is, in your opinion, the most scenic bus route in Britain? We have so much natural beauty in this country, and are lucky to have pretty good rural buses, which let's us see this beauty (and doing it by bus is far superior!).

I'll start: the 77/A in the Lake District has to be my favourite: incredible views along with narrow country lanes for what I think is the best bus experience in the country. I absolutely can't wait to do it again later this year!


Current list:

Italics: area of country.
(Brackets): Best part of route. No brackets= all of it is great!

77/A- Lake District: Keswick Circular
555- Lake District: Lancaster- Keswick (Keswick- Windermere)
900/ 901- Yorkshire: Huddersfield- Hebden Bridge (Stainland- Cragg Vale)
351- Yorkshire: Glossop - Holmfirth
B3- Yorkshire: Keighley- Hebden Bridge (Oxenhope- Hebden Bridge)
Island Coaster- Isle of Wight
44- Peak District Ashbourne- Buxton
Coastliner 840/843- Yorkshire: Leeds- Whitby/Scarborough (Pickering- Whitby)
Exmoor Coaster
58- Peak District: Macclesfield- Buxton (& to Chatsworth House- Sundays only)
108- Peak District: Ashbourne- Buxton (Leek- Buxton)
X53- Dorset: Weymouth- Bridport
X18- Northumberland: Alnmouth- Berwick
X6 - Lake District: Kendal - Barrow-in-Furness (Haverthwaite station - Grange-over-Sands)
X93/X94 - Yorkshire: Middlesborough to Scarborough
CH1 - Norfolk: Cromer - Wells next the Sea
U1: Cornwall: Newquay - Falmouth via Perranporth
Full Sherpa network: Snowdon
159: Yorkshire: Ripon - Richmond
856 Wensleydale Flyer: Yorkshire: Northallerton- Gayle (Sundays only)
0418: Northumberland: Wooler - Alnwick
12: Sussex: Brighton to Eastbourne
74 (inc. 74A/ 874): Yorkshire: Grassington/ Buckden - Ilkley (York on Saturdays, Leeds & Wetherby on Sundays) (Buckden- Otley)
59: Yorkshire: Harrogate- Skipton (Saturdays only)
24: Yorkshire: Harrogate-Pateley Bridge
31X: Yorkshire: York- Kirkbymoorside (Easingwold- Helmsley)
250 & 350: Yorkshire: Hull- Scunthorpe (Hull - Barton-upon-Humber via Humber Bridge)
X5: Wiltshire: Swindon- Salisbury (Tidworth- Marlborough)
173: Peak District: Bakewell- Castleton (get the infrequent service through Cressbrook!)
508: Lake District: Windermere- Penrith (Patterdale- Windermere)
T2: North West Wales: Bangor - Aberystwyth (Machynlleth- Porthmadog)
Peak Sightseer BLUE: Peak District: Chatsworth House- Castleton (Mam Tor) (Mam Tor- Castleton up Winnats Pass & Hathersage- Grindleford) Open Top
505: Lake District: Ambleside - Coniston
516: Lake District: Ambleside - Dungeon Ghyll
87: Peak District: Holmfirth- Castleton (Wednesdays only)
351: Peak District: Holmfirth- Glossop (Fridays only)
218: Peak District: Sheffield - Bakewell via Chatsworth House
272: Peak District: Sheffield- Castleton
X17: Peak District: Barnsley-Sheffield-Chesterfield-Matlock-Wirksworth (Chesterfield - Matlock)
65: Peak District: Meadowhall- Buxton (Sheffield - Buxton)
170: Peak District: Chesterfield- Bakewell
257: Peak District: Sheffield- Bakewell
X74: Northumberland: Newcastle- Jedburgh
576: Yorkshire: Bradford - Halifax (around Queensbury)
70: Cornwall: Plymouth - Cremyll
184: Yorkshire: Huddersfield - Oldham
129: Yorkshire: Hornsea- Withernsea
15: Yorkshire: Chesterfield - Dronfield
888: Northumberland: Hexham- Alston- Penrith
22: Merseyside: Chester - West Kirby (Chester - Heswall)
62: Peak District: Buxton - Castleton (Chapel-en-le-Frith - Castleton)
95: Cornwall: Bude-Wadebridge
173: Devon: Exeter-Moretonhampstead
50: Dorset: Bournemouth - Swanage Open Top
681: Northumberland: Birdoswald to Alston
AD122: Northumberland: Greenhead- Hexham
685: Northumberland: Carlisle - Newcastle


Scotland:
918: Oban- Fort William
901: Glasgow- Largs
915 Glasgow - Tyndrum - (Bridge of Orchy - Glen Coe - Ballachullish) - Fort William - Invergarry - (Loch Cluanie - Eilan Donan - Kyle of Lochalsh - Portree- Uig
+ the other Citylink services from Glasgow to Fort William (912, 914)


X62: Edinburgh- Melrose via Peebles and Galashiels
X95: Edinburgh- Carlisle via Galashiels and Hawick
X85: Glasgow- Campsie Glen via Lennoxtown
X10: Glasgow- Stirling via Balfron and Aberfoyle
58: Stirling- Callander
95: St Andrews- Leven via Crail and Anstruther
57A/57C: Skye: From Portree
24/28: Shetland: Lerwick - Baltasound
324: Isle of Arran: Brodick-Blackwaterfoot via North Island
901: Glasgow- Largs

For more Scottish routes, see post #51

Scroll down to see everyone's comments on the above routes.

 

[Strathtay 260]

I'll start: the 77/A in the Lake District

The routes in the Lake District are absolutely amazing! The 555 is another great one.

 

[NorthOxonian]

I recently did the 901 from Huddersfield to Hebden Bridge - absolutely gorgeous, particularly the central section between Stainland and Cragg Vale. The drop into Ripponden was a particular treat. It may not be on a par with the Lakes, but this is nominally in a metropolitan area!

Only downside is the best scenery tends to switch sides - and the service can get extremely busy, especially on a pleasant Saturday...

Others in the area that I'd highlight - the South Pennine routes out of Holmfirth. They only run one day per week, and recently switched (when I did the 351 to Glossop it was a Saturday service, now the 352 is on Sat and 351 on Fri), but serve some really remote areas. The 351 in particular gets to an extraordinary height over Holme Moss - it's the furthest above sea level I've ever been (barring flights)!

 

[tram21]

Others in the area that I'd highlight - the South Pennine routes out of Holmfirth. They only run one day per week, and recently switched (when I did the 351 to Glossop it was a Saturday service, now the 352 is on Sat and 351 on Fri), but serve some really remote areas. The 351 in particular gets to an extraordinary height over Holme Moss - it's the furthest above sea level I've ever been (barring flights)!

These are in my area but I've never done them, but I really really need to! Which ones are best, or are they all good?

 

[peterblue]

These are in my area but I've never done them, but I really really need to! Which ones are best, or are they all good?

The 351 is the best in that area - Glossop to Holmfirth. You used to be able to do a loop of sorts and return to Uppermill/Greenfield on the 352, but I think you can't do that anymore as the dates have changed.

The 901 is indeed a fantastic route, and you can continue onwards to Keighley on the B3 after, which is also nice. I'll try to think of some more examples later this evening.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'll start: the 77/A in the Lake District has to be my favourite: incredible views along with narrow country lanes for what I think is the best bus experience in the country. I absolutely can't wait to do it again later this year!

The Cat Bells bus? I'd go with that - the narrow lanes with steep drops give a feel a bit like India!

 

[Farigiraf]

There are plenty in the Lake District which are great, but one underrated gem is the Island Coaster on Wight. Great mix of sea + town views, could do with being open-top on some sections though.

 

[Omnidekkalover]

The 442 (Ashbourne-Buxton) is an impressive little route in the peaks. Mix of white peak hills and some moorland.

 

[dmncf]

The Coastliner 840 from Leeds to Whitby across the North Yorks Moors via Hole of Horcum and Goathland has amazing scenery.

 

[Whisky Papa]

The 351 is the best in that area - Glossop to Holmfirth. You used to be able to do a loop of sorts and return to Uppermill/Greenfield on the 352, but I think you can't do that anymore as the dates have changed.

The 901 is indeed a fantastic route, and you can continue onwards to Keighley on the B3 after, which is also nice. I'll try to think of some more examples later this evening.

I was going to give the B3 a mention too, but as I used to drive it as the 500 in First days, I'm biased!

Also worth noting it will be curtailed for a few weeks shortly, due to a road closure on the A6033:

A road, which runs between Bradford and Calderdale, is set to close for two months, due to three collapsed culverts.
The culverts carry rainwater runoff under the A6033, between Oxenhope and Hebden Bridge.
Bradford Council said the Victorian structures had not been built to take today's heavy traffic and due to their collapse, water had not been running as it should.
Due to the deep excavation work required to fix them, the road would need to be closed for two months, from 2 June, to allow work to be carried out safely.
Worth Valley councillor Rebecca Poulsen said two of the broken culverts were on the Bradford Council side and one was on the Calderdale Council side of the road.
Repairs were originally planned to take four months but the road is now set to reopen on 18 July, with the remaining work undertaken using temporary traffic lights.
The closure will begin at Keepers Lodge with a diversion in place and the A3 bus will terminate in Oxenhope.
While the closure is in place, Bradford Council will carry out other work on the A6033 including wall repairs.

My bold on A3 rather than B3, which it seems the BBC article has copied from an error in the local press. I might also question whether 2nd June to 18th July is really 'two months'...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg5p9xvkyko

 

[JamesC357]

I’ll nominate the Exmoor Coaster. Lovely part of the world.

 

[Simon75]

59 Macclesfield to Buxton , towards the Cat and Fiddle
108 Ashbourne to Buxton (between Leek and Buxton

 

[aron2smith]

X53 - Weymouth to Bridport - Amazing view of Chesil Beach along the way. Felt like I was on top of the world!

I think special mentions have to go to the 840/ 843 to Whitby/ Scarborough, X93 - Middlesborough to Scarborough, CH1 - Cromer to Wells next the Sea, The Sherpa network around Snowdon and of course the buses like the 555 in the Lake District and Windermere. Really enjoyed the U1 from Newquay to Falmouth via Perranporth too.

Overall we are a really scenic country and we don't give it enough credit.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

X53 - Weymouth to Bridport - Amazing view of Chesil Beach along the way. Felt like I was on top of the world!

Better the other way to Weymouth with the view from the top of Abbotsbury Hill over to Portland.



To my mind, I would also suggest the X18 from Alnwick to Berwick.

 

[AndrewE]

We found the X6 from Haverthwaite station to Grange-over-Sands was pretty exciting last year. A double decker which goes through some narrow tree-lined roads and down some steep hills! Sit upstairs at the front for the full effect...

 

[aron2smith]

Better the other way to Weymouth with the view from the top of Abbotsbury Hill over to Portland.

To my mind, I would also suggest the X18 from Alnwick to Berwick.

I sat at the back of the open deck bus so looked back and saw it in all its glory! Need to walk around there someday. The same with Northumberland, pass through on the train and never stopped up that way once.

Also made me remember the 12 from Brighton to Eastbourne is quite scenic once on the downs with a very impressive view of Eastbourne on the way down the hill. Plenty of coastal views on the route too.

 

[ChrisC]

I enjoyed travelling on the 159 between Ripon and Richmond a few weeks ago. The small towns and villages along the route like Masham, East Witton, Middleham and Leyburn are lovely but it’s the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside which makes the route with the green fields and white drystone walls. The last few miles down the side of the River Swale into Richmond has fantastic views.

 

[SteveM70]

I enjoyed travelling on the 159 between Ripon and Richmond a few weeks ago. The small towns and villages along the route like Masham, East Witton, Middleham and Leyburn are lovely but it’s the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside which makes the route with the green fields and white drystone walls. The last few miles down the side of the River Swale into Richmond has fantastic views.

The summer Sundays and Bank Holidays only "Wensleydale Flyer" is very good too.

Three round trips Northallerton - Leeming Bar - Bedale - Leyburn - West Witton - Aysgarth - Bainbridge - Hawes - Gayle

Six quid for a trip up to Gayle and back, or you could interrupt it for some Pacer action at Leeming, Bedale or Leyburn, and/or have a sublime Sunday lunch in the Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton

 

[YorkRailFan]

To my mind, I would also suggest the X18 from Alnwick to Berwick.

I'd add the 0418 which follows the X18 (mostly) between Alnwick and Belford.

The summer Sundays and Bank Holidays only "Wensleydale Flyer" is very good too.

Yes, the 856 covers a lovely stretch of the Dales.

I rode the Transdev Harrogate's 24 (Harrogate-Pateley Bridge) recently and found the scenery of Nidderdale to be gorgeous. I'd also add buses that run between Ilkley and Grassington via Bolton Abbey, the route along the Wharfe is stunning, including dropping down into Burnsall. That's 74A (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), 74 (Saturdays) and 874 (Sundays.)

For the Moors, the 31X (York-Easingwold-Helmsley-Kirkbymoorside) is a favourite of mine, specifically between Easingwold and Helmsley. The views of the White Horse from a far and then the close up of Byland Abbey are beautiful, then passing by Ampleforth College/Abbey, truly unrivalled in the area!

 

[david1212]

....
Also made me remember the 12 from Brighton to Eastbourne is quite scenic once on the downs with a very impressive view of Eastbourne on the way down the hill. Plenty of coastal views on the route too.

Add the variant of the route that runs around Beachy Head too.

When it runs / ran St Ives ( Cornwall ) to Lands End. I did that in 2013 when a green 1960's decker was used.

 

[tram21]

. I'd also add buses that run between Ilkley and Grassington via Bolton Abbey, the route along the Wharfe is stunning, including dropping down into Burnsall. That's 74A (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), 74 (Saturdays) and 874 (Sundays.)

I rode that yesterday!! It's lovely, definitely agree!

 

[GreenFlag]

I rode the 822 between Grassington and York last year and was very impressed.
I'd also nominate the 250/350 to/from Hull simply for the view from the Humber bridge, especially if you geta double deck!
The X5 between Swindon and Salisbury is a lovely run, especially around Marlborough.
The 173 Buxton to Castleton is stunning around Monsal head.
finally the 508 Windermere to Penrith, especially around Kirkstone Pass

 

[Megafuss]

The 918 between Oban and Fort William is incredible. The views over Loch Linnhe are amazing

I'll also chuck in the 901 between Glasgow and Largs. Amazing views of Cowal and Bute

 

[Metal Mickey]

Some of my suggestions from Scotland.

Borders Buses
X62 Edinburgh to Melrose via Peebles and Galashiels
X95 Edinburgh to Carlisle via Galashiels and Hawick

First Glasgow
X85 Glasgow to Campsie Glen via Lennoxtown

McGill’s Midland Bluebird
X10 Glasgow to Stirling via Balfron and Aberfoyle
58 Stirling to Callander

Stagecoach East Scotland
95 St Andrews to Leven via Crail and Anstruther

 

[tram21]

A couple more from me:

The Traws Cymru T2 is just a great bus route throughout, with the best scenery being between Aberystwyth and Porthmadog. Highly recommend this one!

The Peak Sightseer is a must-do, especially the Blue route for some really stunning views; my favourite bit is over Suprise View just past Hathersage if travelling towards Chatsworth. It's great fun to make a day of the Peak Sightseer if you haven't already: you buy a day ticket and explore the Peak District!

 

[Davester50]

I don't know the bus route number, but the one from Whitby to Scarborough down to Robin's Hood Bay, and up over the moors is a nice journey.

 

[tram21]

I don't know the bus route number, but the one from Whitby to Scarborough down to Robin's Hood Bay, and up over the moors is a nice journey.

The X93 & X94. Not one I've done yet but I've heard good things!

 

[Davester50]

The X93 & X94. Not one I've done yet but I've heard good things!

Ahh, thanks.
I'm not really a bus enthusiast, but enjoyed the run. Was a struggle climbing up after Robin Hood's Bay right enough.

 

[YorkRailFan]

A few more from me, DalesBus 825 is a real treat, I rode it from York to Jervaulx Abbey last year and leaving Ripley to head past Brimham Rocks, and then towards Masham was beautiful, highly recommend. I also loved Moorsbus M6, when it drops down into Rosedale Abbey after leaving the A170 at Wrelton.

The X93 & X94. Not one I've done yet but I've heard good things!

Highly recommend it, if you ever do it, you're in for a treat!

 

[anothertyke]

Last year the 563 ran from Kendal to Kirkby Stephen via Sedbergh and Cautley. That was a great journey. Sadly it's gone this year.