‘Top Deck Advised’: Readers’ Favorite Scenic UK Bus Rides | Public transport trips | Daily News Byte

55, find herons from Tiverton-Exeter

The best bus route is Tiverton to Exeter on route 55. On its way out of Tiverton it passes through the village of Bickleigh and crosses the River Exey on Bickleigh Bridge, which has been hit and damaged by buses, lorries and cars more times than I have. From the count bridge, however, there is a wonderful view both up and down the river and to the right are the “Rapids” and the Fisherman’s Cot pub, and often the resident heron perched in the shallows looking for his lunch. The path then follows the valley, with lovely views of the Devon countryside until it reaches Stoke Cannon and another bridge. Then it’s out of Exeter and into the city centre. The entire journey takes about 90 minutes.
Leslie Kerr

Pure Theatre, 555 from Lancaster to Keswick

The first part of the 555’s three-hour route takes you from Lancaster through the picturesque villages of Burton, Holme and Milnthorpe – a pleasant enough country route – but it’s the second part of the journey, between Kendal and Keswick, that is truly spectacular. Make sure you’re on the upper deck for stunning views of Windermere, Rydal Water and Grasmere before the bus climbs over Dunmel Rise and then passes between mighty Helvellyn and Thirlmere before descending to Keswick. Not many bus routes have had a play written about them, but Ladies That Bus (performed at the Duke’s Theatre, Lancaster in 2020-21) was about the people who made these incredible journeys.
Graham Dean

X4, Middlesbrough-Whitby to Seaside and Steele

The X4 from Middlesbrough to Whitby offers a wide variety of dramatic scenery. It passes through Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage, with fantastic views of the Tees Transporter Bridge and Motors towards Redcar’s steel heritage (see the ruins while you still can). The tour takes you past the picturesque bohemian seaside town of Saltburn, along a 19th-century funicular, before entering the North York Moors National Park. The fishing villages of Staithes and Runswick Bay are postcard-pretty whatever the season and the approach to Whitby follows the beautiful coastal road. The journey takes about two hours but will pass in one go.
Mike L

Pub Heaven From 376, Bristol Two Street, Somerset

376 The Mendip Explorer runs from Bristol to Street, taking around two hours. You pass undulating valleys and pub-haven villages like Pensford and Temple Cloud, but wait until you’re down towards Wales and see Glastonbury Tor, perhaps floating above the clouds, perhaps reflected by the floodplains in the morning sun. Stop in Wales for a coffee at the Lough, or continue on to Glastonbury and have breakfast at Cafe Zero, the coziest cafe in town. Catch the loop back at your leisure. The top deck is advised.
Eleanor Willock

Beautiful beauty at T4, Cardiff-Brecon

The T4 from Cardiff to Brecon (the bus actually goes to Newtown in mid-Wales) is a great introduction to this beautiful region. As you leave Cardiff you will catch glimpses of the majestic Cardiff Castle walls and the Principality Stadium. The bus passes through sleepy Pontypridd along the beautiful River Taf. As you approach Brecon you pass the stunningly dramatic beauty of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. It was my first visit to Brecon and the bus tour gave me a snapshot of the beautiful mountains and walks to make for a lovely holiday. The 90-minute journey is a convenient and scenic drive from Cardiff to Brecon.
Shalini

65, Peak District Panorama of Sheffield-Buxton

Stagecoach bus 65 runs from Sheffield to Buxton through the heart of the Peak District. Although popular with walkers, it is a well-kept secret. Once the city is left behind, look forward to stunning views of the rolling countryside and delightful villages, including the plague village of Ayam. The bus also passes through Tideswell, with views of St John the Baptist Church, known as the “Cathedral of the Peak”, and Miller’s Dale, where you can walk over the viaduct that once carried express trains from Manchester to London. Two hours later the bus ends in Buxton, England’s highest market town, with plenty of options for refreshments.
John Young

‘I loved driving the 47 from London’

I think the best scenic route I’ve been on and driven as a bus driver is route 47 past Tower Bridge and London Bridge, two of London’s most iconic landmarks and stunning when lit up at night. They are so beautiful; It was a joy to drive on the road.
Steven Shave

T3, Wrexham-Barmouth to Mountains and Sea

Catch TrawsCymru’s T3 into Wrexham Bus Station admiring the Cae Ras (The Racecourse Ground) football stadium as you pass. The bus takes you to the seaside at Barmouth, passing Corwen, the seat of Owen Glynder, the last native-born Prince of Wales, and Lake Bala, home of Wales’ answer to the Loch Ness monster, Teigny. It stops briefly at majestic Dolgellau before passing Cader Idris, the highest peak in southern Snowdonia. At your destination, enjoy fish and chips and take in the ocean views and air. The entire trip takes about 2½ hours.
Fiona Collins

Dale’s Delight, 72 Skipton-Grassington, North Yorkshire

The 72 bus from Skipton to Grassington takes you on a short (30-minute) journey into the heart of the Dales. Best enjoyed on a sunny day, it winds through charming villages and past fields full of sheep before reaching the pretty village of Grassington. I was lucky enough to get this bus almost every day when I lived in Yorkshire and I find myself missing it – my new bus route only takes me to industrial parks near Newcastle.
Toby

A winning tip
From number 70 to Cornwall’s forgotten corner, Plymouth-Crimmill

Plymouth City Bus 70 is a cracker from the city center to Cremeel. Yes, the bus (the whole route takes just shy of two hours) passes through Plymouth, but once it disembarks from Torpoint Ferry, it winds through the countryside of Cornwall’s forgotten corner: the Ramey Peninsula, past sheep farms before the showstopper of the ride. : Whitesand Bay, where it follows the clifftop road with views of the ocean and magnificent sands below. stunning.
Sarah McLellan

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