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Free-wheeling - Britain's best bus routes
As buses throughout Britain roam free for the over-60s from April, David McKie, author of Great British Bus Journeys, revels in the joys of slow travel to quirky places
In the April 2008 edition of Saga Magazine, David describes a few of his favourite routes - and here are the best of the rest:
Norfolk
Catch the Coasthopper bus (Norfolk Green No36) from Hunstanton or King's Lynn. From Hunstanton, Boston Stump can be seen on a clear day across the Wash. The route runs east via Old Hunstanton to Thornham village, flitting between the coast and the salt marshes that give the area its distinctive character.
Beyond Brancaster and Brancaster Staithe the bus turns southwards to Burnham Market. Then it is back towards the marshes and on to Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea. The Coasthopper continues through Stiffkey and the attractive ports of Blakeney and Cley next the Sea before entering Sheringham. Change here for Cromer.
County Durham
Route 75, Arriva North East, departs from Darlington for Barnard Castle. It heads through scenic country towards Staindrop, near Raby Castle. From here the bus goes down to Barnard Castle (for Bowes museum).
Next take the 76 or 95/96 via moors and villages. You can take a minibus from Middleton-in-Teesdale to High Force, England’s highest waterfall. Check with Alston Road Garage (01833 640213). If you took the 95 to Middleton, take the 96 back and savour the road through Eggleston.
Treats en route to Darlington include Gainford and Piercebridge, with its Roman remains and riverside pub.
Kent
The Transweald route out of Tunbridge Wells is an enjoyable tack though the Kentish Weald. You see traditional greens, tile hung and half timbered houses and tempting pubs.
From Brenchley, the bus heads down the leafiest of lanes to the first of several small towns on this route, all delightful but very different.
First is Goudhurst, where you might try the Millennium Walk. Next is Cranbrook, then it's on through Benenden to much gentrified Tenterden. From here, take the No12 to Biddenden, ideal for a drink before you head home.
Rutland
The gateway to this little county - and Rutland Water - is Stamford, over the border in Lincolnshire.
From the bus station catch a Kymes bus for Uppingham. This bus comes to the water's edge; a good place for a break. Or proceed to Uppingham, a little town full of character, then Oakham, the county town.
Another Kyme bus runs to the north of Rutland Water, through Whitwell. From here you can walk to the harbour (boat and bike hire), take a boat trip to Normanton or stroll to the charming village of Exton. There’s a bus from there back to Oakham (wait outside the pub); thence Stamford.
Lancashire
Asked where she would most like to live, the Queen once named the Forest of Bowland. If you want to see why, the B10, run by Travel for All, is waiting at Clitheroe.
The bus from here to Slaidburn wanders through moorland and fell, passing a majestic river and bubbling streams. The road beyond Bashall and on to Whitewell is captivating. And beyond this is Dunsop Bridge, said to be the centre of the British Isles. A pleasant hour here - if the weather co-operates - and then back to Slaidburn.
In summer there are buses that go deeper into the forest. The bus back to Clitheroe takes a direct route, leaving time to potter about in this characterful town.
Useful information
* www.transportdirect.info
* www.traveline.org.uk (0871 200 2233)
Reader comments
In response to Bruce Chanter, the Transport Direct website will find a bus routes for you from A to B all over the country......
Posted by: Linda Armstrong | 25/04/2008 08:18:01
Why does the bus pass run out at 23.00? Should all 60+ be at home and in bed by then? Is it a scheme to cut the users at this time so that the buses can be withdrawn due to low use or are the buses so busy after 23.00?
Posted by: John Hunt | 17/04/2008 19:43:51
For those ambitious and energetic OAP’s., who want to travel the length and breadth of England, using their free bus passes, I should offer some words of warning: 1) To carry out the exercise using local buses, might well take more time and stamina than most OAP’s have left. 2) To do the job effectively, and to allow for detours, you will need a full set of timetables. Last year I obtained a set for my county of Hertfordshire, and it weighed in at 7 pounds. To cover the whole country of 39 counties, that adds up to a burden in excess of 2 cwt. I suggest you take a friend with you to share the load! However, all is not lost. In the interests of conservation - the planet, not the pensioners - I am confident that the government will also be issuing free pocket electronic timetables, to OAP’s.
Posted by: Bruce Chanter | 05/04/2008 16:48:31
One of the most scenic bus rides in the country is the X53 from Weymouth to Exeter along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and Devon. The buses are modern and comfortable double-deckers and the service runs two-hourly.
Posted by: Martin Hill | 05/04/2008 09:17:29
Not that they want you to know, but certain parts of the National Express coach network are registered as stage carriage routes, so those parts are within the scheme.
Posted by: Greyken | 30/03/2008 15:12:19
Do you know if there will be a leaflet showing the participating 'Local' Bus Companies throughout England, and the areas of Wales and Scotland where the NBP will be accepted ? It would make for interesting planning ! Regards, B.W.Moore. Mr.
Posted by: B.W.Moore. | 30/03/2008 08:44:11
Under the item on bus rides in Norfolk, it states Boston Hump. Is this correct or should this be Boston Stump please? Anna Dann
Posted by: Anna Dann | 28/03/2008 15:08:10
