One of England's best bus rides.
Late December may seem an odd time to ride a scenic route but on a clear day with few passengers what could be better.
840 Transdev Coastliner Leeds to Whitby. Timetable
Boarding a Volvo with Wrights body at Leeds Bus Station and sitting upstairs in one of the single armchair style seats with a clear view through one of the double glazed windows (no misting-up on wet days), the journey starts with an uninspiring plod through the hinterland of Leeds before the first burst of speed along the A64 then turning off into Tadcaster. Before reaching the heart of this small market town the route take a short diversion though a typical sixties housing estate. The town is dominated by the John Smiths Brewery and several of its pubs, once through the centre and over the river bridge, the service enters the small bus station. Before long the route re-joins the A64 until the outskirts of York.
York is not a city to dismiss by just taking a bus straight through, it has so much history with in the well preserved walls it deserves at least two days exploration. For today however a chance to stretch the legs and take refreshments on a two hour break. For a good value snack I recommend Baileys café or for a delicious breakfast try Brew and Brownie, both on Museum Street.
Refreshed and back on the bus, the northern suburbs of York are left behind, replaced by flat farm land as the bus makes its way through narrow lanes before eventually joining the A64 and a swift run into Malton. Malton, 'home of the Coastliner' it proudly proclaims on the wall of the bus station which also acts as the depot with clear views into the garage from the top deck. Leaving the town through the narrow streets that lead on to the A169 and a short journey in the countryside before entering Pickering. Rather than entering the town centre, where the bus stops also act as a connection to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway the bus turns right and stops on the main road. After a short drive along the A170 the bus arrives at the beautiful village of Thornton-le-Dale where the bus stops are located in the centre of a small village green come roundabout, from where the bus makes a loop before taking a narrow road to commence the climb onto the Moors.
From this point on the true joy of travelling on the top deck of a bus comes into its own. The North Yorkshire Moors open up in front of you as the road ungulates across the vast open space with Fylingdales radar station being one of the few signs of habitation. The coast comes into view just before the bus turns off the A169 and heads for Goathland via a steep narrow road over a single track bridge, past the railway station and up into the village centre. The bus continues through the village before making a 360° turn back to the village bus stop. This is a great jumping off point for walkers and home to the TV series Heartbeat, well worth spending time here on any other day. But, onward, the bus retraces the route back onto the A169 before starting the long decent down Blue Bank and turning right following the river through Esk Dale. At Briggswath as the bus turns left an old sign warns bus drivers to 'Stop and engage low gear' as the final climb towards Whitby begins.
Whitby is entered via a narrow descent onto the harbour front. The bus makes its final stop opposite the small bus station before disappearing to lay-over outside the Co-Op. A wonderful ride aboard a comfortable bus with superb driver. Plenty of time now to stretch the legs around this beautiful seaside town dominated by the Abbey. For a pleasant light meal or just a cup of tea I recommend the Seamans Mission just off the harbour wall in Haggersgate.
Ever onward.
X93 Arriva Whitby to Scarborough. Timetable
The hourly service departs Whitby bus station and runs down the dramatic coastline via Robin Hood's Bay , where the National Park meets the coast and on into Scarborough. After the first leg of this trip, this journey comes as a bit of a shock. The bus was an ageing single decker Optare Solo with rough engine and mad driver, which rather spoiled the journey. Part of the reason for this swift journey is down to Arriva keeping the timetabled journey to under one hour, so only requiring two buses on the route. Despite the rapid ride we still arrived in Scarborough a few minutes late. The terminus is located on street adjacent to the railway station and just one stop down from the next departure point.
Scarborough is a pleasant traditional British seaside town split in two. The town centre where the bus stops has the normal high street stores, but beyond those after a steep decent you will find two wide sweeping bays.
843 Transdev Coastliner Scarborough to Leeds. Timetable
The final leg of the day and it is back to the top deck and comfortable seats for a journey along the A64, with sweeping views across flat farmland towards the Moors. The road is busy but no delays are experienced and the bus arrives into Malton bus station on time. The remainder of the journey retraces this mornings route via York to Leeds.
A grand day out.
From this point on the true joy of travelling on the top deck of a bus comes into its own. The North Yorkshire Moors open up in front of you as the road ungulates across the vast open space with Fylingdales radar station being one of the few signs of habitation. The coast comes into view just before the bus turns off the A169 and heads for Goathland via a steep narrow road over a single track bridge, past the railway station and up into the village centre. The bus continues through the village before making a 360° turn back to the village bus stop. This is a great jumping off point for walkers and home to the TV series Heartbeat, well worth spending time here on any other day. But, onward, the bus retraces the route back onto the A169 before starting the long decent down Blue Bank and turning right following the river through Esk Dale. At Briggswath as the bus turns left an old sign warns bus drivers to 'Stop and engage low gear' as the final climb towards Whitby begins.
Whitby is entered via a narrow descent onto the harbour front. The bus makes its final stop opposite the small bus station before disappearing to lay-over outside the Co-Op. A wonderful ride aboard a comfortable bus with superb driver. Plenty of time now to stretch the legs around this beautiful seaside town dominated by the Abbey. For a pleasant light meal or just a cup of tea I recommend the Seamans Mission just off the harbour wall in Haggersgate.
Ever onward.
X93 Arriva Whitby to Scarborough. Timetable
The hourly service departs Whitby bus station and runs down the dramatic coastline via Robin Hood's Bay , where the National Park meets the coast and on into Scarborough. After the first leg of this trip, this journey comes as a bit of a shock. The bus was an ageing single decker Optare Solo with rough engine and mad driver, which rather spoiled the journey. Part of the reason for this swift journey is down to Arriva keeping the timetabled journey to under one hour, so only requiring two buses on the route. Despite the rapid ride we still arrived in Scarborough a few minutes late. The terminus is located on street adjacent to the railway station and just one stop down from the next departure point.
Scarborough is a pleasant traditional British seaside town split in two. The town centre where the bus stops has the normal high street stores, but beyond those after a steep decent you will find two wide sweeping bays.
843 Transdev Coastliner Scarborough to Leeds. Timetable
The final leg of the day and it is back to the top deck and comfortable seats for a journey along the A64, with sweeping views across flat farmland towards the Moors. The road is busy but no delays are experienced and the bus arrives into Malton bus station on time. The remainder of the journey retraces this mornings route via York to Leeds.
A grand day out.
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