On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:47:14 -0700, peter
wrote:

I was travelling on the W3 the other day past Alexandra Palace, which
has great views across London, and I got to thinking - has anybody
compiled a list of scenic London bus journeys (not the central London
tourist sights, which are well documented)?

I think it all depends on your definition of scenic. There are places
that might not be full of green space but which are interesting in terms
of the architecture or "village" feel of the area you're in.

My initial contribution - in no way exhaustive - would be:

20 - North Circular Road to Loughton
43/134/263 - Highgate to Archway (this direction only, and only if
you're sitting in the front)
65 - Kew to Kingston
111 - Kingston to Hampton
210 - Archway to Golders Green, though it is compromised by being a
single deck route
251 - Totteridge to Mill Hill (again loses marks for being single
deck)
275 - Chingford Mount to Woodford

You'll struggle to catch this at Chingford Mount! Either Walthamstow or
perhaps Highams Park. The bit beyond Woodford to Barkingside is not too
bad but more in terms of seeing what that part of London is like.

307 - Enfield to Cockfosters
W3 - Wood Green to Crouch End

A fairly blatant northern bias, because that's where I live!

I don't disagree with your list btw - some good choices.

Any additions?

For a true "country" bus feel - W10 Enfield to Crews Hill. Doesn't run
very frequently but it is like a rural local bus - people wave to the
drivers and there is obviously a regular clientele.

468 Elephant - Croydon.
Some of the "R" routes in Orpington - not used many of them but they do
reach out in the Kent borders. R2, R5 and R8 are possibly the best bets.
146 Bromley North - Downe
246 Bromley - Westerham / Chartwell
465 Kingston - Dorking
3 Oxford Circus - Crystal Palace (interesting at the southern end)
358 Crystal Palace - Orpington
249 Balham - Anerley Station
185 Camberwell - Forest Hill

393 Clapton - Chalk Farm - if you want to see "behind the scenes" of
Clapton, Stoke Newington and Highbury. Not done the bit to Chalk Farm
yet.
19 Battersea - Finsbury Park. Great for a view of different London
"villages". The 137 is also good for this as well.
24 Pimlico - Hampstead Heath.
268 Finchley Road - Hampstead
31 Camden - Notting Hill Gate - an interesting swathe of "gentrified"
inner North London
107 Edgware - Barnet. Gets into the Hertfordshire borders.
313 Enfield - Potters Bar

Possibly the U9 and 331 out at Uxbridge but not travelled on these.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!