Free heritage bus rides in southeast London
Bus routes 61 and 261, London, Greater London, BR1
Buses are the lifeblood of London; about half of all bus journeys in the UK are made in London. The affection that Londoners feel for their buses is apparent whenever they have a chance to ride on a Routemaster or something older. Bus route 61 serves Bromley North, Bromley South, Bromley Common, Locks Bottom, Orpington and Chislehurst. The 261 serves Lewisham, Lee, Grove Park, Bromley North, Bromley South, Bromley Common and Princess Royal University Hospital. On 14 September, open-platform buses with real conductors will run alongside the usual TfL buses along the full routes, serving every stop. No need to book, just turn up at a bus stop and put out your hand. Buses will run about every 10-20 minutes (hourly between Grove Park and Lewisham); full details of times will be posted on our website www.LondonBusMuseum.com. Buses being used will mostly be the iconic Routemaster, dating from the late 1950s and 1960s, and their predecessor the RT-type, which in the 1950s formed the largest standardised bus fleet in the world.
The free heritage service will serve Bromley Common Bus Garage, which is celebrating its centenary with an open day on the same day, 14 September. The garage will feature a display of buses and other attractions. A charge will apply for entry to the garage, with profits donated by operator Stagecoach to Macmillan Cancer Support.
If you enjoy your bus rides, come and visit the London Bus Museum at Brooklands!
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 1000-1700 about every 10-20 minutes (hourly between Lewisham and Grove Park). See timetables for further details at www.LondonBusMuseum.com
Location & directions
Bus routes 61 and 261, London, Greater London, BR1
- Directions:
- Catch the bus at any bus stop along TfL bus routes 61 (Bromley - Orpington - Chislehurst) or 261 (Lewisham (some journeys) - Grove Park - Bromley - Princess Royal University Hospital). No booking, just put your hand out to stop the bus.
- Contact on day:
- London Bus Museum, Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey
- Telephone number:
- +441932837994
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Please note that old buses are not able to carry wheelchairs or pushchairs. Users should catch the TfL bus service which will run as usual.
