National Parks
Northumberland
The AD122 Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus service stops at various popular spots in the Park including The Sill Visitor Centre and Housesteads Roman Fort and can be caught from Hexham or Haltwhistle rail stations. The AD122 runs five times a day including on Sundays providing a convenient way to visit the many attractions along Hadrian’s Wall. Best of all there are discounts available for those arriving by bus.
North York Moors
During the spring and summer months, Moorsbus operates a number of Sunday bus services across the National Park and this year they are celebrating 45 years since the network first started operating. Details of the timetable for 2026 are available on this website which is packed with ideas for days out and places to visit on their services which also run on Saturdays and Bank Holidays. You can sign up for the MoorRewards scheme which offers discounts and special offers at participating locations. Or show your bus ticket to get 10% off at Helmsley Walled Garden.
Yorkshire Dales
Several bus routes provide access into the National Park from neighbouring towns and cities on Sundays, most of which operate all year round. Almost all the Sunday bus routes are provided by Dalesbus who also run a number of extra services over the summer months. A Dales Rover ticket allows unlimited travel on Sundays on all Dalesbus services, and many connecting buses for only £10, so it’s a great option if you’re planning to explore the National Park.
Lake District
This website provides useful details of all the bus routes running between the Lake District and surrounding towns and cities as well as ‘The Lakes by bus’ guide which includes the timetable for the services running this summer. One great option is bus no. 599 which runs daily all year round between Grasmere and Bowness serving Ambleside and Windermere where you can connect with the train service. It has space for two bikes on each journey and these can be carried for the bargain price of 20p each making it easy to combine cycling and public transport. Those travelling by bus can also claim a discount at Windermere jetty museum.
Peak District
If you travel to Peak Cavern or Speedwell Cavern by bus you can claim a free guidebook when you get there. Both caverns are within easy walking distance of Castleton which is served by bus no. 272 from Sheffield or bus no. 62 from Buxton both of which run on Sundays. The 272 also runs in the evening allowing time for a meal out or a visit to the pub after your cave trip. There are several other daily bus services including the Trans-Peak route which runs through the heart of the National Park, between Derby, Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton.
Eryri (Snowdonia)
The Sherpa’r Wyddfa (Snowdon Sherpa) provides bus services around the base of Yr Wyddfa (Mt. Snowdon), offering easy connections to the start of the most popular walking routes up the mountain as well as to other local sights. The Sherpa buses run daily all year round and serve various towns in the Park including Betws-Y-Coed, Caernarfon and Porthmadog. A day’s unlimited travel on all buses in North Wales costs only £7 for adult and £15 for 2 adults and up to 3 children.
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
It’s easy and very good value to head out into the hills of the National Park by bus. You can even get to the start of the walk up Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in Southern Britain by bus for only £1. Traws Cymru bus service T4 which runs on Sundays, passes close to the base of Pen y Fan en route to Newtown and Merthyr Tydfill and the discounted tickets can be purchased directly from the driver.
Pembrokeshire Coast
Four coastal bus services run seven days a week throughout the summer making this the perfect option for heading out for a Sunday walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail and visiting some of the most spectacular and varied coastline in Britain.
New Forest
The New Forest Tour provides a great opportunity to visit the National Park on an open-topped bus on summer Sundays. Three different routes each serve a number of the train stations in the Park making it easy to combine a journey by bus and rail. You can also switch between routes or get off and get on a later bus all on the same ticket. Each bus has space for three bikes and there’s no charge for them.
Exmoor
The Exmoor Coaster is an open top bus service which runs between the seaside resort of Minehead and the traditional fishing village of Lynmouth over the summer months, allowing visitors to travel easily between the coast and the wild moorland of the National Park. Check this website for details of the summer 2026 service which starts in May.
Dartmoor
This website is a great resource with details of Sunday buses that run all year round. These include daily bus services from Exeter to many of the villages in the National Park including Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracy and Ivybridge. The new Transmoor 171/172 Country Bus which started in 2024 provides access to some of the amazing bronze age archaeology on Dartmoor including Fernworthy stone circle, Grimspound and the Hurston Ridge stone rows.
South Downs
Several bus routes provide easy access to the National Park from nearby settlements. From Brighton, you can catch one of a number of different Breeze Up to the Downs services which all run on Sundays all year round and provide access to some great walking spots including Devil’s Dyke and Ditching Beacon, the highest point in East Sussex. In the summer months, the South Downs Rambler bus also allows for easy access to the South Downs Way National Trail. Use the bus to head out for a walk or just to enjoy some great views of the National Park. The South Downs Discovery Ticket makes it good value too, offering unlimited travel across the National Park for only £10 per adult.
The Broads
Bus X1/X11 runs between Lowestoft and Norwich seven days a week allowing for easy access to Acle, which is right on the edge of Halvergate Marshes and close to the River Bure. This is a great spot for walks and wildlife spotting and you could even walk part of the Weavers Way if you’re feeling particularly energetic.
