With the environment high on everyone’s agenda, it’s a good time to celebrate the glories of public transport.
Much of Britain’s beautiful countryside is only accessible on two feet, a couple of wheels or an all-terrain buggy or wheelchair, but there are many rural bus routes that can take you to some of Britain’s best views.
Timetables may be challenging and services sporadic, but with a bit of forward planning it’s doable, so here are some of the most beautiful bus rides of Britain.
Yorkshire Moors
The 840 Coastliner from Leeds to Whitby has plenty of wonderful views, but the stretch that crosses the moorland from Pickering via Goathland and Sleights is spectacular, frequently earning the service the accolade of Britain’s most scenic bus route.
There are days when the mist obscures everything, but on a clear day the colours are spectacular.
Run by Transdev Blazefield, it’s a regular, all-year-round service, used by locals and tourists alike.
Flamborough Head, Yorkshire
An ordinary route with extraordinary scenery, the number 14 takes you from Bridlington to Flamborough Head, stopping off at Sewerby Hall, a Georgian mansion with a zoo and 50 acres of garden on the way.
In high season, you may be lucky enough to get an open-top bus on the route, but even in bad weather you’ll be rewarded with dramatic skylines and stormy seas.
Loch Lomond and Glencoe, Scotland
Connecting some of the British Isles’ most remote communities, the services between Glasgow and the Isle of Skye take in the natural beauties of Loch Lomond, Rannoch, Glencoe and Great Glen.
You’ll need to be up early to catch the best views and be prepared for a long haul, but so worth it for the misty views.
The 915 and 916 services are run by Scottish Citylink
Lindisfarne, Northumberland
The number 477 runs from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on the Northumberland coast.
A remote community was established in 635AD when Saint Aidan came from Iona and chose to found a monastery there. It’s been a popular destination for pilgrims ever since.
The route gives stupendous views of the wild coastline, but since access is by a narrow causeway, the timetable varies depending on the tides.
Lake Windermere, Cumbria
What could be better than wandering lonely as a cloud through the Lake District? The open-top 599 Bowness to Grasmere will take the strain and leave you free to contemplate Wordsworth’s poetry.
It stops near both the poet’s former houses, Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount and runs all year round offering unrivalled views of woods, hills and water.
Ramsgate to Broadstairs, Kent
Another summer-only open-top ride, the 69 takes in the Kent coast through Thanet with stops at Stone Bay, Dumpton Gap and Ramsgate Harbour for the best-of-British seaside views.
If it’s your first time in the area the circular route allows you to get familiar with Ramsgate and Broadstairs, but in high season go early in the day as it can get very busy.
Devil’s Dyke, Brighton
Legend says the Devil was furious when the folk of the Sussex weald converted to Christianity, so he planned to dig a dyke overnight through the South Downs to flood the local villages. But a cockerel saw his candle, thought it was dawn and crowed, raising the alarm and stopping the Devil’s work.
The open top 77 bus runs from the city centre up to Devil’s Dyke on weekends and bank holidays throughout the year, with a special weekday service in the summer.
There are also routes to Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon
Seven Sisters, Sussex
Staying in Sussex, Brighton’s open-top sightseeing tour runs from April to October and takes in most of the city’s sights but for the best views of the iconic chalk cliffs you need to catch the Coaster 12 service or the 13X which includes Beachy Head.
The service is regular and has lots of stops for walkers, including Cuckmere Haven, Birling Gap and Seaford for the Seaford Head stretch of the Seven Sisters Country Park.
The Needles, Isle of Wight
Probably the most scenic route in the whole of the UK? Well, that’s a bold claim, but might well be true. The Needles Breezer runs from March to November each year and takes in some dizzying cliff climbs, spectacular bay views and the famous chalk stacks themselves.
The route is a circular one, stopping at classic landmarks, including the thatched St Agnes church and the Dimbola gallery.
Studland Bay, Dorset
Some of the UK’s best beaches are on this west country coastline and Studland is perfect for family holidays – miles of sand, sea and (often) sun. The National Trust welcomes naturists and has nearly 1km of beach where clothing is optional. The naturist area is located on Knoll Beach and comprises a 900m stretch of coastline.
The number 50 route run by Morebus between Bournemouth and Swanage takes in the Sandbanks Ferry terminus as well as Studland Post office, with Middle Beach just a short walk away.
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
First Bus run a year-round service to Sand Bay, starting at Weston’s Royal Parade, taking in views of the Bristol Channel before reaching the bay with plenty of time for a stroll to Sand Point.
The number 1 runs hourly, six days a week during the winter and seven days a week every 30 minutes in summer.
Land’s End, Cornwall
Cornwall’s a wonderful holiday destination, but getting round it isn’t always easy. There’s a service from Penzance run by First Bus which will get you to Porthcurno and on to Sennen Cove, but Land’s End itself is a brisk walk away.
Whether you’re doing the last stretch on foot or not, the journey is worth it for the views of woods and ancient fields dotted with burial chambers, wayside crosses and stone circles.
Happy travelling – by bus!
Some images reproduced under Creative Commons licence
Where to next?
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