Trip to Leicester / Hamilton 03-01-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3119	Leicester Haymarket BS	Hamilton, Tesco	58	Arriva Midlands
2949	Hamilton, Tesco	Leicester Haymarket BS	58A	Arriva Midlands
63538	Leicester Haymarket BS	Beaumont Leys, Stop G	26	First Leicester
63564	Beaumont Leys, Stop C	Leicester, Chuch Gate	74	First Leicester
4560	Leicester St Margarets BS	Leicester, Opp Foss Road Corner	29A	Arriva Midlands
63564	Leicester, opp The Blackbird	Leicester, Stand BE	74	First Leicester

Today we decided to re-visit Leicester. We did very little research for this trip other than to check the available bus tickets and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for cold, dry and with some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. We got up at 10:30 and Matthew had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting dressed we set off around 12:00 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued back up Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and into Meir. We turned left onto the A520 and right onto Woodville Road. We turned left onto Westwood Road and right onto Stansmore Road. We ran to the end and we stopped outside a cafe. We went in and ordered food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Dr Pepper. After we had finished eating Matthew used the toilet and we got back into the car. We set off along Stansmore Road and we turned right onto Brookwood Drive. We ran clockwise around the loop and we turned left onto Pipers View. We crossed over Meir Square and we ran forwrds onto Woodville Road. We turned left onto the A520 and we turned left onto the A50. We headed Eastwards and past Meir Park. We turned right to continued along the Blythe Bridge bypass and we went near to uttoxeter and we continued along the A50, passing an unidentified Country Lion coach. We ran to the end of the A50 and we joined the Southbound M1. As we travelled Southwards we passed 2 unidentified Skills coaches heading Northwards. We came off M1 at junction 22 and we ran Southwards down the A50. At the edge of Leicester we ran forwards onto Woodgate and we turned left onto Abbey Gate. We turned right onto Ravensbridge Drive and we turned right onto the Southbound A6. We turned left onto Burley Way and at the roundabout we turned right onto Belgrave Gate. We ran past the end of Haymarket bus station and we entered the car park. After parking up we took the lift down into the Haymarket Shopping centre. We came out of the wrong side of the shopping centre onto Belgrave Gate. We turned right onto Humberstone Gate and we headed back into the shopping centre. We turned right and we came out on Charles Street. As we entered the bus station we saw Centrebus 5003 arrive on a #22A service.

Centrebus 5003 in Leicester bus station

We went into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. As it was getting quite late we decided to catch out quite quickly. We walked down the bus station looking for a bus we could catch. We decided to do a #58. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3119 on a #58 Hamilton circular service.

Arriva Midlands 3119 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Flexi day ticket at £6.30. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3119 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3119

The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned sharp right onto Charles Street and we turned left onto Humberstone Gate. We ran forwards onto Humberstone Road and we headed North Eastwards up the A47. We turned left onto Forest Road and we ran forwards onto Hastngs Road. We turned right onto Tailby Avenue and we turned left onto Wycombe Road. We veered left onto Humberstone Drive and we turned right onto Greenland Drive. We turned left onto Tennis Court Drive and we turned right onto Main Street. We ran forwards onto Steins Lane and we crossed over Hungertob Boulevard and onto Netherall Road. We ran through Netherall and we turned left onto New Romney Crescent. We turned left onto Hamilton Lane and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto Keyham Lane West and we headed Westward. We ran forwards onto Keyham Lane and we continued onto Preston Rise. We crossed the roundabout and we went into Tesco where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3119 before into continued on the #58 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3119 in Hamilton

Once off the bus we decided to head int Tesco for supplies. We picked up some Bakewell Slices and a bottle of Coke. After paying for the goods we headed back to the bus stops. As we approached there was already a bus there. We got closer and we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2949 on a #58A to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 2949 in Hamilton

We got on the bus and we placed the Flexi Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of Tesco and we crossed the roundabout onto Preston Rise. We ran forwards onto Keyham Lane and we continued onto Keyham Lane West. We turned right omnto Hamilton ane and we turned right onto New Romney Crescent. We turned right onto Netherhall Road and we ran through Netherall. We ran past McDonalds and we crossed over the A563 onto Steins Lane. We continued onto Main Street and we turned left onto Tennis Court Drive. We turned right onto Greenland Drive and left onto Humberstone Drive. We turned right onto Wycombe Road and right onto Tailby Avenue. We turned left onto Hastings Road and we ran forwards onto Forest Road. We turned right onto the A47 and we ran under the railway line. We crossed the roundabout onto Humberstone Road and we continued onto Humberstone Gate. We turned right onto Charles Street and we entered Haymarket bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a quick walk around. We headed out of the bus station and we saw Arriva Midlands 3813 on a #44 to South Wigston.

Arriva Midlands 3813 in Leicester bus station

We crossed over Charles Street and Matthew decided he needed cake. We went into the cake shop and Matthew had red velvet cake with a scoop of ice cream. After Matthew had finished his dessert we headed back into the bus station. It was 16:00 and we had only had 2 buses so we decided to catch something quickly. We decided to go in a direction we had been before anf head to The Beaumont Centre. As we got to the stop we saw it was First Leicester 65538 on a #26 to Beaumont Leys.

First Leicester 65538 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and we went under the flyover onto the A607. We turned left onto Abbey Park Road and we ran forwards on to Blackbird and we turned right onto Parker Drive. We turned left onto Somerset Drive and we headed Westwards. We turned left onto Cheltenham Road and left onto Heacham Drive. After a long run through the estate we ran forwards onto Strasbourg Drive. We crossed the A563 and we ran forwards onto Orwell Drive. At the roundabout we turned right onto Rutherford Rood an we stopped at the Beaumont Centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Leicester 65538 before it returned to Leicester on the #26.

First Leicester 65538 in Beaumont Centre

We turned down First Leicester 63501 on a #25 to Leicester and we decided to wait for the following bus on the #74. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Leicester 63564 on a #74 to Leicester St Margaret's

First Leicester 65564 in Beaumont Centre

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards down Orwell Drive and we crossed over the A563. We ran onto Strasbourg Drive and we ran forwards onto Heavham Drive. We turned right onto Calverhey Road and we turned left onto the Southbound B5327. We crossed over Blackbird Road and we turned right onto the Southbound A6. We crossed the river and the grand Union Canal and we ran into the City Centre. We ran forwards onto Church Gate and as there was a traffic problem on Gravel Street, the driver let everyone off here. Once off the bus bus we headed into St Margaret's bus station. We want to catch out quickly again. We promised Matthew we do one more round trip and visit a pub. Alomost immediately we spotted a bus we could catch. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4560 on a #29A to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 4560 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and went onto the A594. We turned right onto the A6 and left onto Sanvey Gate. We turned right onto the A50 and we headed Northwards. We crossed the Grand Union Canal and the river and we crossed Blackbvird Road where we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4560 as it continued towards Swadlincote.

Arriva Midlands 4560 in Leicester

We crossed over the A50 and we walked Northwards up Blackbird Road until we came to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered the drinks. We met up again and we sat down. Matthew had a small Coke and we sat and had our drinks. When we had finished we went out to get a bus back into Leicester. We crossed the B5327 and we walked to a stop. The bus that we went to catch disappeared from the map. We walked arounbd the corner thinkking we culd catch a #26. Bur we realised that it was a circular and it was going away from the City. The #25 in the opposite direction wasn't for a while. We walked back onto the B5327 and we waited for a bus. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Leicester 65564 on a #74 to Leicester.

First Leicester 65564 in Leicester

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the B5327 and we crossed over Blackbird Road and we turned right onto the Southbound A6. We crossed the river and the grand Union Canal and we ran into the City Centre. We turned left onto Burley Way and we turned right onto Belgrave Gate. We got in the traffic issue again. It turned out to be a coach broken down in the entrance to St Margaret's bus station. We turned right onto Abbey Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a pictre of First Leicester 65564.

First Leicester 65564 in Leicester

Also seen was Central Connect 202 on a ND service to New Lubbersthorpe.

Central Connect 202 in Leicester

Amother vehicle see was Arriva Midlands 8044 on a #127 to Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 8044 in Leicester

We started crossing belgrave gate and we saw Arriva Midlands 7204 on a X6 to Coventry.

Arriva Midlands 7204 in Leicester

We walked along Charles Street and we headed into the shopping centre and we we got in the lift. We met mum and went to the car. Once in the car we set off to a chip shop. We ran out of the car park and we turned right onto Belgrave Gate. We crossed the roundabout and we continued Northwards. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Abbey Park Road. We ran forwards onto Blackbird Road and we follwed it to the left. We turned right onto Groby Road and right onto Medina Road. We turned right onto Buckminster Road and we parked up near to the chip shop. I went to the chip shop and bought food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Vimto. When I had finished eating we set off onto Buckminster Road and left onto Medina Road. We turned right onto the A50 and we headed out for Leicester. We crossed the A563 and the A46 and we continued out of the city. after around 8 mile we joined the Northbound M1. As be travelled Northwards we were past by East Yorkshire 17 and Fernhill Travel YD24 ERK. We came off the M1 at junction 24 and as we reached the roundabout we caught up the 2 coaches. We saw East Yorkshire 20017 on a National Express #451 service to Hull.

East Yorkshire 20017 in Kegworth

Also seen was Fernhill Travel YD24 ERK.

Fernhill Travel YD24 ERK in Kegworth

We ran across the roundabout and we ran onto the Westbound A50. We crossed the A515 roundabout and we continued towards Uttoxeter. We ran along the Uttoxeter bypass before continuing Westwards along the A50. We ran through Meir and Longton and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road and left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we stopped at uncle Dave's. Matthew used the toilet and had some of uncle Rob's orange Fanta. Matthew filled in the calendar and we got back into the car. We said goodbye and we set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton. turned right onto Church Road and we turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:10. Matthew had his medication and afterwards chilled out on his computer. We wrote the Blog and also wrote an e-mail. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke and a Bakewll Slice. Matthew went to bed arounbd 00:30... Mark