Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 20-12-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67174	Newstead,	Stoke, Stop Q	40A	First Potteries
6010	Stoke, Lytton Street	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
794	Newcastle BS	Tunstall,	94	D&G Bus
116	Tunstall, stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G Bus
63358	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
6001	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	9	D&G Bus
67148	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	D&G Bus
63115	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
63177	Newcastle BS	Blurton, Ladybank Grove	22	First Potteries

Tofday we decided to do a local trip. It was close to Christmas and it would be busy everywhere! Reserch consisted of looking at the times of the #40A and checking the weather. The weather was supposed to be grey, dry and just slightly warmer than average. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting dressed and packing the trip bag. We set off just after 11:00 and we walked through Blurton onto the A5035. We crossed over the road and we cut through onto Selby Walk and we turned right onto Waterside Drive and walked to the bus stop. The bus was already in the estate awaiting time by the shops. A few minutes later the bus set off towards us. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67174 on a #40A to Hanley.

First Potteries 67174 in Newstead

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Waterside Drive. We continued to the end and we turned left onto Barlaston Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden. At the end we turned right onto Queens Park Avenue and we ran forwards onto Cocknage Road. We turned left onto Chaplin Road and into Dresden past the site of a new retail park. We turned right onto Belgrave Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Lightwood Road. We crossed over the A50 and we ran into Longton down The Strand. We turned left into Baths Road and we entered Longton Transport Interchange. After a brief stop we ran out onto Baths Road. We crossed over the A50 and we went straight onto Foley Road. At the end of the Road we turned right on Longton Hall Road. We climbed the hill and then went down into Blurton. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we climbed up the hill into Heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and at the traffic Light we turned left onto Grove Road. We continued into Mount Pleasant and onto Wheildon Road. We turned right by The Regent onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67174 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 67174 in Stoke

We walked up Church Street and we went into Stoke Cafe where we were going to have dinner. The cafe was quiet as there was a police incident going on across the Road. Matthew headed down to the toilet and I ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we headed out onto Church Street. We waited at the stop expecting the bus to come into town, but the #11 we saw in the distance turmed left onto the one-way system due to the police incident. We decided to walk towards Lytton Street and we knew the bus would definitely come past there. AS we headed along Church Street we saw D&G bus 6002 on a #9 to Clayton. Wecrossed over the A500 and we waited for a Newcatle bound bus. Wjiulst we waited we saw D1015 masqurading as D1001 on a railtour from Salisbury to Lostock Hall Junction with West Coast Trains 57314 on the rear providin heat for the train. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 6010 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G Bus 6010 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle, informing the driver of the diversion in Stoke. The bus set off down City Road and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. Due to the police incident we diverted around the one-way system. We turned left onto Lonsdale Street and right onto Fleming Street. We turned right onto Campbell Place and left onto Church Street. We stopped in a safe location to let passenger off in Stoke and we continued on the normal route. We ran forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we spotted a coach pull up on Stubbs Street. We saw it was Copoeland's Tours MIB 270 arriving on a private charter.

Copeland's Tours MIB 270 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to head towards Tunstall as usual. On the way up to the stops we saw D&G Bus 765 parked up on layover.

D&G Bus 765 in Newcastle bus station

We continued to the top stops and we saw a bus parked up. We saw it was D&G Bus 794 and the driver set it up to be the next #94 to Congleton.

D&G Bus 794 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day ticket on the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A527 and headed through Wolstanton. As we travelled North up the road we turned right onto Porthill Bank and we we went down the hill and over the A500. We went through Middleport and at Trubshaw Cross we went left onto Brownhills Road. We joined Tunstall High Street and at the top of the Road we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 794 before it continued on towards Congleton.

D&G Bus 794 in Tunstall

We walked along the High Street and we headed into Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered food. When Matthew returned he had a slice of chocolate cheesecake and a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we had a bit of a wander around town. We turned right onto the Square and Matthew took me to see the former Barrel pub, which id being converted into flats, shops and offices. We walked back onto the High Street and we crossed over the road. We waited for a bus towards Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63354 on a #39A to Butt Lane.

First Potteries 63354 in Tunstall

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 116 on a #94 to Newcastle.

D&G Bus 116 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the High Street and forwards onto Brownhills Road. We ran down the hill to Trubshaw Cross and we joined Longport Road. We crossed over the roundabout and climbed Porthill bank. At the top of the hill we turning left onto Wolstanton High Street. We ran through Wolstanton and out the other side and down into Newcastle. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and we ran onto barracks Road before we turned into the bus station. We walked towards the top of the bus station to catch something towards Hanley. On the way we saw D&G Bus 795 on Layover in beween runs on the #104 to Hanley.

D&G Bus 795 in Newcastle bus station

We were origianlly going to catch a #39 or #39A, but there seemed to be a bit of a gap in the service. We turned down other less direct service to Hanley and we spotted there was a #101 due shortly. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63358 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63358 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day ticket on the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. When it was time to go the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A52 and when we got to Hartshill we veered left onto Shelton New Road. We ran over the railway line and canal and we went up to Snow Hill. We turned left and ran up Broad Street. We turned right onto the ring road and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up to the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew visited the toilet and then we headed to the car park to get a few bus pictures. On the way we saw First Potteries 35950 on layover.

First Potteries 35950 in Hanley bus station

We climbed the stairs and we took a few bus pictures. We saw D&G Bus 29 on a #16 to Leek.

D&G Bus 29 in Hanley bus station

Also seen was First Potteries 35688 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 35688 in Hanley bus station

We came down from the car park and as we apporached the bus station we saw a coach parked up by the Victoria Theatre. As we got closer we saw it was Four Seasons Travel W4 FST supporting one of the shows at theatre.

Four Seasons Travel W4 FST in Hanley

We went into the bus station and we visited the shop. We bought a bottle of Coke, a chocolate bar and a flapjack. We sat down by the stop and we waited for a Biddulph bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had his Bakewell Flapjack. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 6001 on a #9 to Biddulph.

D&G Bus 6001 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Biddulph before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Bethesda Street. We went onto Marsh Street before turning back into Hanley on Trinity Street. We turned onto Stafford Street and we picked up more passengers before heading out of town along Quadrant Road. We headed through Townsend an onto Chell Street. We went through Sneyd Green and we turned left at Smallthorne Roundabouts onto Ford Green Road. we turned left onto Chell Heath Road through Bradeley and into Chell Heath and passed his old school now sheltered housing. We carried on through Fegg Hayes past the site of new flats. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A527 and we headed up though Brindley Ford past the site on where a developer hopes to build some new homes. We left the A527 at Knypersley and we ran around through the housing estates of Biddulph before running into town via St John's Road, Colliers Way and up Wharf Road to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 6001 before it returned towards Clayton.

D&G Bus 6001 in Biddulph bus station

We chacked the time of the next bus back to Hanley. We had about 25 minutes, so we walked around the corner to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and I got the drinks in. Matthew had a small glass of Coke. When we had finished we returned to the bus station and we waited for the bus. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 3017 in between runs on the #95 to Audley.

D&G Bus 3017 in Biddulph bus station

We sat on the bench and Matthew had a Crunchie whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. Ad it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67148 on a #7A to Hanley.

First Potteries 67148 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the High Street and we turned left onto St Johns Road. We ran around the estate and onto Woodland Street. We crossed over the A527 at Knypersley. We ran through Brown Lees and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into into Hanley. We turned right onto Quadrant Road and we past the shopping centre. We continued onto Stafford Street and we turned right in front of the town hall. We ran onto Bagnall Street and we went forwards into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. As we walked through the bus station we saw Prospect PR71 MEG on a #076 to Manchester.

Prospect PR71 MEG in Hanley bus station

We formulated a plan to get back to Blurton. We would go to Newcastle as quick as possible and head back home on a #22. We had a look around and we saw there was a #9 and a #25. Matthew spotted another bus we could catch. We got to the stand and we saw it was First Potteries 63115 on a #38 to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 63115 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart day ticket under the scanner before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto John Street. At the bottom of the road we turned right onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street and then we joined the clockwise ring road. At the end we turned left onto Etruria Road before going under the A53 onto Festival Way. We ran past Waterworld and we turned left onto Forge Lane past a new minibus building by the Brindley Farm pub. We looped under the A53 and we joined the Westbound A53. We crossed over the A500 at Etruria and and we ran up the hill into Basford where we saw First Potteries 67151 on a #4 to Hanley. We ran down hill to the edge of Newcastle and we got onto the one way system. At the jubilee roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road before turning right into the bus station. We got up and we got off the bus. We headed straight over the bus station and we could see the bus on stand. As we got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63177 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 63177 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Longton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road and we ran Southwards onto the A34. We turned left into the hospital and we saw D&G Bus 6006 on a #9 to Clayton. We continued through the hospital grounds. We turned right onto Hilton Road and forwards onto Harpfields Road. We ran to the end and we turned left onto the Southbound A34. We ran under the A500 into Hanford and we turned left onto Church Lane. We climbed to the top of the hill and we turned right onto Wilson Road. We turned left onto New Inn Lane and we ran into Trentham. We turned left onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line into Blurton. We passed the end of Stanley Matthew Way and we turned left onto Magdalen Road. We turned right onto Finstock Avenue and left onto Beaconsfield Drive where we got up and got off the bus.

First Potteries 63177 in Blurton

Once off the bus we walked back to the house. Matthew used the computer and we had an apple whilst we waited for mum to return from shopping. When mum got home I went to the chip shop. I returned and Matthew had sausages chips and gravy washd down with a can of Dr Pepper. Later on i took uncle Dave home. Matthew had his medicatio and we did the Blog and uploaded photos. We also wrote an e-mail. Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime at 00:00... Mark.