Most interesting bus routes to ride in London.

[E B]

Hi all.

I am going for a day trip to London today, to ride on various different forms of public transport. I know a lot about the rail, tube and DLR services, but I don't know which bus I should ride. Are they any quirky or interesting bus services in London that you recommend for me? I am not fussed about the sightseeing, as I have seen the sights before.

 

[Jan Mayen]

R5, R10 in Bromley. Rural London, limited service, check the timetable.

 

[greenline712]

R5 R10 are based around Orpington, and quite unlike any other London bus route, but only every 75 minutes and a bit far from the centre. Nice rides, though.

393 or 394 . . . two routes that run from nowhere to nowhere else in North London, but give a view into inner London not seen otherwise. Both small single deck and not too far from Central London.

C10 . . . similar, but south of the Thames, worked by electric single decks. Alight at Rotherhithe station and walk down to the river.

100 . . . another electric route, quite short, but goes to Wapping, where the old dock buildings survive, but repurposed for "yuppie" housing.

Enjoy!!

 

[class387]

All three routes out of Wells Terrace bus station at Finsbury Park are worth riding. The 210 goes through Hampstead Heath, the W3 has great views of London climbing up to Alexandra Palace, likewise the W7 up to Muswell Hill (also a very short and intensively worked route).

In Orpington the R8 is the other route worth a ride - tiny country lanes the same width as the bus for most of the route.

Also the H2 and H3 from Golders Green (can combine with the 210), with narrow Optare Solos round Hampstead Garden Suburb.

 

[Statto]

SL6 Russell Square - West Croydon, operates towards Russell Square in the morning & from Russell Square in the afternoon, has a non stop section, & has stopping restrictions, the afternoon service is the better one to get but first bus is 15.40 with the last 18.50.

I say the SL6 is unique for a TFL service, their used to be a few more of these type of services until the 90s but got done away with, this one still survives, & i think only one left in the TFL area, as quite a large area it serves Beulah Hill is quite a distance from the nearest station, & buses are well loaded if not full, by the time it gets to West Noorwood in the morning, & Waterloo in the afternoon.

 

[Bletchleyite]

68 across Waterloo Bridge. The view is one of the best in London, particularly from upstairs. Though I suppose it's sightseeing, it's still a sight that takes my breath away despite having done it hundreds of times.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

R5 R10 are based around Orpington, and quite unlike any other London bus route, but only every 75 minutes and a bit far from the centre. Nice rides, though.

You can tie those into the R8 from Orpington to Downe where you can change onto the 146 to Bromley - again, very rural for a red bus.

About 2 years ago, I did the 358 (again interesting, now with the Irizar EVs) from Crystal Palace to Bromley, 146 to Downe, R8 to Biggin Hill before getting the 464 to New Addington where I was able to get the Tramlink.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

411 Kingston (Cromwell Road bus station) to West Molesey. Runs past Bushey Park where deer can be seen, and past Hampton Court Palace. Crosses the Thames twice (at Kingston and Hampton Court). Used to be a rare example of a TfL service using single-door double deckers but no idea what it uses now. Not much to see beyond Hampton Court station, so it's worth alighting there and getting the train back into TfL-land.

 

[Hophead]

You could try the 108 through the northbound Blackwall Tunnel - Victorian era with 2 tight bends and a severe height restriction in the inside lane. Perhaps return via the new Silvertown Tunnel (129 or SL4).

 

[ChrisC]

Two weeks ago, whilst visiting London, I travelled on the 465 which runs from Kingston out to Dorking. I used it from outside Surbiton Station as far as the Zigzag Road at the foot of Box Hill in the Surrey Hills. Amazing to have a TfL bus running so far out of London in a rural area especially on the narrow lane through Mickleham Village. It’s not the first time I’ve used this bus route. Well worth the long steep climb up Box Hill for the wonderful walks up there on the top.

 

[E B]

Thank you everyone for your contributions to this thread. I didn't end up having time to ride a bus route today, due to me leaving later than anticipated. But i will keep all of your much appreciated comments in mind for next time. Thanks once again.

 

[JonathanH]

For driver challenges, the 410 from East Croydon to Crystal Palace is interesting with two turns off Davidson Road, where the bus has to turn off and use turning circles on adjacent cul-de-sacs.