QuoteBus users across the UK are being given the chance to vote for their favourite bus journey in a survey to find Britain's Most Scenic Bus Route, and Stagecoach East Scotland's very own route 95, travelling through the East Neuk of Fife has been nominated.
The survey is the idea of bus enthusiast Paul Kirby, who was enjoying a summer trip along the Honister Pass in the Lake District and thought it must be one of the most scenic routes in Britain. He wondered if the transport or tourist industry had carried out any research to discover the nation's favourite bus service. To his surprise, no such survey had been undertaken and he therefore approached the larger bus companies to see if they were interested.
Paul said "I was delighted to receive a quick response from five of the largest bus companies and they were all extremely keen on the idea. The support of First, Arriva, Transdev, Go-Ahead and Stagecoach was vital if the survey was to be a success because they have over 400,000 Twitter followers between them. The survey is a simple tick-box format with passengers voting for their favourite three routes with the option of adding their own not included in the list. It is the largest survey of this type undertaken and I am looking forward to seeing the results.
Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users UK which sponsors the survey, added "The main aim of the survey is to celebrate Britain's best bus routes and encourage more people to experience the spectacular views of our rugged coastline, mountain passes, lakes, moors and dales without having to worry about driving, directions or parking. We are fortunate to still have many regular routes that serve rural communities in such a wide variety of breath-taking countryside.
http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ScenicBus
Thanks for the link, I voted for the following which are all routes I have done:
England:
840 Pickering to Whitby
X93 Scarbrorough to Middlesbrough
Wales:
5 group Bangor to Llandudno
387/8 Pembroke/Bosherston/Angle circulars (my own suggestion)
The X53 is a personal favourite of mine.
I went to vote but was disappointed to find that the 8A/8C Birmingham Inner Circle wasn't one of the options.
Stagecoach Gold X4 Milton Keynes - Peterborough is a nice scenic route. It's a very long route, takes 3.5 hours one way. I didn't mind the route; it was relaxing and certainly had wonderful views.
In no particular order,
61 Aylesbury - Dunstable
2L Ludlow - Kidderminster
125 Bridgnorth - Kidderminster
675 Ledbury - Malvern
442 Ashbourne - Buxton
66 Buxton - Baslow - Chesterfield
841 Stafford- Uttoxeter
and
402/3 Uttoxeter - Burton.
Quote from: Mike K on February 17, 2018, 11:02:05 PM
I went to vote but was disappointed to find that the 8A/8C Birmingham Inner Circle wasn't one of the options.
Your sense of humour is not lost on me, great response! :D
Got to be 74 and 87
X96 round the wrenna
222 round nanny goat farm
Quote from: Mike K on February 17, 2018, 11:02:05 PM
I went to vote but was disappointed to find that the 8A/8C Birmingham Inner Circle wasn't one of the options.
Haha brilliant.
Deffo gotta be 14
Quote from: Other Walsall Tony on February 18, 2018, 05:42:35 PM
In no particular order,
61 Aylesbury - Dunstable
2L Ludlow - Kidderminster
125 Bridgnorth - Kidderminster
675 Ledbury - Malvern
442 Ashbourne - Buxton
66 Buxton - Baslow - Chesterfield
841 Stafford- Uttoxeter
and
402/3 Uttoxeter - Burton.
http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ScenicBus
Just noticed they've added the 2L now as well.
The whole TrawsCymru network is a strong contender.
The 6/7 between Stratford and Banbury is something I'm looking forward to doing again.
I caught the full 555 (Lancaster-Keswick) on Monday. In my opinion, i'm glad it is listed. A very worthy contender.
Here is a list of what routes which I think are scenic some may not be to everybody's taste but each to there own;
436: Bridgnorth - Shrewsbury via Much Wenlock
96: Telford - Shrewsbury via Ironbridge & Atcham
9: Wolverhampton - Bridgnorth - Telford
297: Bridgnorth - Kidderminster via Alveley & Upper Arley
580: Kidderminster - Kinver
5: Telford - Stafford via Newport
519: Shrewsbury - Newport
294: Kidderminster - Worcester via Stourport
291: Kidderminster - Tenbury Wells via Bewdley
16: Hanley - Leek - Buxton via Werrington & Cheddleton
114: Bridgnorth - Telford via Worfield & Beckbury
Quote from: Mike K on February 17, 2018, 11:02:05 PM
I went to vote but was disappointed to find that the 8A/8C Birmingham Inner Circle wasn't one of the options.
It made me smile!
although not well known and infrequent the service from Larne to Ballycastle should win easily. Mountain passes and extensive sea views as well as quiet villages. The view on a good day includes Kintyre
I once drove the same road in freezing fog and it would be fair to describe it as les attractive
Quote from: Mike S on May 02, 2018, 10:49:23 AM
although not well known and infrequent the service from Larne to Ballycastle should win easily. Mountain passes and extensive sea views as well as quiet villages. The view on a good day includes Kintyre
I once drove the same road in freezing fog and it would be fair to describe it as les attractive
Couldn't agree more, this is a spectacular area. I did the A2 coast road on a coach trip from Belfast earlier this year, but would like to travel by normal service bus in the future.
While staying in Fairbourne last week, I had the opportunity to take a ride on the G21 bus service to Tywyn and back.
https://bustimes.org/services/g21-dolgellau-machynllaeth-via-fairbourne-aberdyfi#map
It didn't disappoint either! Some breathtaking scenery between Fairbourne and Llangelynnin with the sea on one side and mountains on the other, and then plenty of rolling countryside on the way into Tywyn.
A highly recommended bus route if only to see a mid-sized Enviro200 MMC being put through its paces, as well as an 'unusual' u-turn the bus has to make to turn around at Llanegryn!
6 - Birmingham to Solihull
4 - Birmingham to Solihull
60 - Birmingham to Cranes Park
97/A - Birmingham to Chelmsley / Airport and NEC
101 - Birmingham to Handsworth
11A/C - Outer circle
Quote6 - Birmingham to Solihull
4 - Birmingham to Solihull
60 - Birmingham to Cranes Park
97/A - Birmingham to Chelmsley / Airport and NEC
101 - Birmingham to Handsworth
11A/C - Outer circle
97/A??? :laugh:
Seriously, all of those are the candidates for the LEAST scenic routes EVER (& I live just off the 97/A).
Try Gwynfor Coaches S1, Caernarfon - Betws y Coed* & You'll get more scenery in a second than in a decade in the Midlands.
* Day return on the Train to Rhiwabon/Wrecsam, then a £7 1Bws ticket. Thank Me profusely once You get back.
The 4 and ESPECIALLY The 11 are definitely not scenic.
A good scenic route in my opinion in the West Midlands would probably be the 16
Surely Arriva 9 to Bridgnorth or Banga 891 to Telford can be considered scenic?
If we were to name the West Midlands most scenic bus routes and maybe Mods could spin this off to a WM Most Scenic Routes thread past and present. Anyway if we were to name them
In no specific Order
Banga 891 Wolverhampton - Telford
Arriva 9 Wolverhampton - Bridgnorth
The Route from Halesowen/Stourbridge to Kidderminster
Select Route 876 and 67 from Wolverhampton - Stafford/Cannock
NX 15/16 Wolverhampton - Stourbridge/Merry Hill
NX 8 Walsall - Lichfield
NX 6 Walsall - Sutton Coldfield opens up after Aldridge
NX 934/935/936/937 Walsall/Brownhills - Birmingham passes through Countryside on it's way to Birmingham
Chaserider 35/36 Walsall - Lichfield
Quote from: BBS on Yesterday at 12:29:24 AM6 - Birmingham to Solihull
4 - Birmingham to Solihull
60 - Birmingham to Cranes Park
97/A - Birmingham to Chelmsley / Airport and NEC
101 - Birmingham to Handsworth
11A/C - Outer circle
The thread is called
MOST scenic route.
Quote from: BBS on Yesterday at 12:29:24 AM6 - Birmingham to Solihull
4 - Birmingham to Solihull
60 - Birmingham to Cranes Park
97/A - Birmingham to Chelmsley / Airport and NEC
101 - Birmingham to Handsworth
11A/C - Outer circle
Do you know what scenic means?
The X12/13 are scenic. The X14 along Eachelhurst Road and Springfield Road is a lovely section. Probably the nicest route in Perry Barr.
The (4)5(1) and 16A along the Newton Road too.
The X3 past Hill Hook.
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on Yesterday at 12:22:23 PMIf we were to name the West Midlands most scenic bus routes and maybe Mods could spin this off to a WM Most Scenic Routes thread past and present. Anyway if we were to name them
In no specific Order
Banga 891 Wolverhampton - Telford
Arriva 9 Wolverhampton - Bridgnorth
The Route from Halesowen/Stourbridge to Kidderminster
Select Route 876 and 67 from Wolverhampton - Stafford/Cannock
NX 15/16 Wolverhampton - Stourbridge/Merry Hill
NX 8 Walsall - Lichfield
NX 6 Walsall - Sutton Coldfield opens up after Aldridge
NX 934/935/936/937 Walsall/Brownhills - Birmingham passes through Countryside on it's way to Birmingham
Chaserider 35/36 Walsall - Lichfield
Probably the 292/292S at Kidderminster Garage.
The 7 (Dudley - Wollaston Junction) is pretty underrated
Quote from: frostjay974 on Yesterday at 04:38:58 PMThe 7 (Dudley - Wollaston Junction) is pretty underrated
Yowm avin a loff ay ya ab yow Sid lye cross
X1 during the airport bit
The 103 wellington to Newport is a lovely scenic route, very rural and a lot of country lanes
Quote from: Stu on March 10, 2025, 08:25:03 PMWhile staying in Fairbourne last week, I had the opportunity to take a ride on the G21 bus service to Tywyn and back.
https://bustimes.org/services/g21-dolgellau-machynllaeth-via-fairbourne-aberdyfi#map
It didn't disappoint either! Some breathtaking scenery between Fairbourne and Llangelynnin with the sea on one side and mountains on the other, and then plenty of rolling countryside on the way into Tywyn.
A highly recommended bus route if only to see a mid-sized Enviro200 MMC being put through its paces, as well as an 'unusual' u-turn the bus has to make to turn around at Llanegryn!
All the routes around there were impressive for scenery. The G21 has very good scenery throughout, after using a it a number of times you get a bit complacent so I think I liked the T3 from Dolgellau (Dol) to Bala more (the T routes use new Evoras). T2 section from Dol to Aberystwyth also excellent and the buses are really challenged between Dol and Machynlleth up & down the A487
Lloyds coaches cover all those routes and have an excellent fleet if seats a bit tight for a 6'3 person. The G24 up the valley from Tywyn also scenically excellent, especially when you get to a see a steam train running to the one side of the road.
Good buses, good scenery and the Tap On Tap Off worked pretty well, with me hitting both daily and then weekly caps
There is currently a West Midlands Buses promotional display outside Snow Hill, one of the posters features the Outer Circle, the word Scenic and the phrase Ride Of A Lifetime or something similar.
I clearly no longer understand what words mean.
My votes are the 387/388 South Pembrokeshire, the 418 Oban to Ellenabeich and the 555 Windermere to Keswick
Quote from: cardew on Today at 11:32:32 AMThere is currently a West Midlands Buses promotional display outside Snow Hill, one of the posters features the Outer Circle, the word Scenic and the phrase Ride Of A Lifetime or something similar.
I clearly no longer understand what words mean.
My votes are the 387/388 South Pembrokeshire, the 418 Oban to Ellenabeich and the 555 Windermere to Keswick
One of them says "all manner of buses will get you to the Balti Triangle including the 4, 6, 12, 31, 37"
Not sure who was responsible for producing these, but at least get them right?
Quote from: 2206 on Today at 02:53:27 PMOne of them says "all manner of buses will get you to the Balti Triangle including the 4, 6, 12, 31, 37"
Not sure who was responsible for producing these, but at least get them right?
That's just abysmal.
The Balti Triangle is a shadow of its former self since the rise of the Desi pubs anyway.
I'm surprised it's not suggesting a fun ride for all the family over the Camp Hill Flyover
Quote from: Budgie on Yesterday at 10:05:56 PMAll the routes around there were impressive for scenery. The G21 has very good scenery throughout, after using a it a number of times you get a bit complacent so I think I liked the T3 from Dolgellau (Dol) to Bala more (the T routes use new Evoras). T2 section from Dol to Aberystwyth also excellent and the buses are really challenged between Dol and Machynlleth up & down the A487
Lloyds coaches cover all those routes and have an excellent fleet if seats a bit tight for a 6'3 person. The G24 up the valley from Tywyn also scenically excellent, especially when you get to a see a steam train running to the one side of the road.
Good buses, good scenery and the Tap On Tap Off worked pretty well, with me hitting both daily and then weekly caps
Yes, when I stayed in Tywyn last year I did take a ride on the G24 over to Dolgoch Falls, only a short 12 minute ride but beautiful rolling scenery!