Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 11-04-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
10577	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	1	Stagecoach Merseyside
3173	Chester BS	Blacon, The Arches School	14A	Arriva NW&W
3174	Blacon, Blacon Parade	Chester BS	14	Arriva NW&W
36802	Chester BS	Hough Green, Cavendish Road	61	Stagecoach Merseyside
15583	Hough Green, Howe Road	Chester BS	16	Stagecoach Merseyside
36804	Chester BS	Kingsway, Pear Tree Way	53	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port and Chester for the first time in a long time. Research consisted of checking what ticket we needed, Checking the car parking in Chester and checking the Weather, which was for dry cool weather with some sunshne. Matthew wokw up at 08:00 to have his medication and then got up around 09:30. We had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off around 12:00. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. 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 down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. On the A500 we saw Selwyns BF24 AOJ and white minibus YM05 FUO. We joined the Northboumnd M6 and we headed up to juncction 20. Travelling up the M6 we saw Holmeswood PO68 ???, blue minibus AE68 ONM / WF70 PPV, an unidentified J&A Travel coach and Ridleys Coaches YK26 LBV. We joined the Westbound M56 and we passed the site of a new McDonalds. We got onto the Northbound M53. We came off the M53 at junction 9 and we headed Westwards on the A5032. We turned left onto Cromwell Road and we followed the road to the right onto Wellington Road. We turned left onto Cambrdge Road and we went right onto McGarva Way. We turned right onto Grange Road and we parked up near to the Market. Once out of the car we saw grey minibus CX73 ZKW parked up. We headed into the market which is in the middle of a re-devlopment. The food court seems to be much smaller than it used to be. We ordered the food and sat down. Whilst we waited for the food we went to the toilet. The toilets have been upgraded and are much better than before. We headed back to our table and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating, we said goodbye to mum an we headed to the bus station. We came out of the market and past The Food Wharehouse and The Portal, which sits on the site of the former bus station. As we got to the coner of Civic Way we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15471 on a #1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15471 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We continued to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Chester. We turned down Stagecoach Merseyside 27258, which was on a #2 to Runcorn.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 in Ellesmere Port bus station

a few minutes later a suitable bus came around the corner. As it got closer, we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 10577 on a X1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10577 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £5.70 before we went sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned left onto Stanney Lane and we ran past The Grace Arms, which was a pub we used to eat at back when we first started to visit Ellesmere Port. We continued down the road for around 1/2 mile and then we turned left into the Coliseum Retail Park. We continued into the adjacent Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and we saw , an unidentified Woods coach and Milligan's MIL 1920 in the coach park. We got onto the A5117 and we ran Westwards to the A41. We ran South and where we would normally turn right we went straight on towards Chester Zoo. We turned into the zoo and we saw M & H Coaches M555 MNH parked up. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down the A41 and we turned right onto Heath Road. We continued onto Mill Street and we joined the Southbound A5116. We ran into Chester and over the ring road onto Northgate. We turned left into Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we went to the cafe. Matthew had a slice of Victoria Cake and bottle of Coke. When we had finished we looked for a bus we could catch on the ticket we had. We spotted Arriva NW&W 3173 on a #14A Blacon circular.

Arriva NW&W 3173 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks and we ran onto George Street. At the end we turned right onto Northgate Street and we crossed over the ring road onto the A5116. We veered left on the one-way system and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran past Chester University and we hit traffic as we got to the edge of town. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blacon Avenue. We turned left onto Saughall Road where we got off the bus.

Arriva NW&W 3173 in Blacon

Once off the bus we head back to The Parade and we went into Spar. Matthew had a can and a chocolate bar. We walked to the stop on Blacon Avenue and we waited for a bus back towards Chester. A short time later a bus came ariund the corner. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3174 on a #14 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3174 in Blacon

We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Blacon Avenue and we had a long run of around 2/3 of a mile down to a roundabout. We crossed the roundabout onto the A540 and we had another run of around 1/2 mile up to Liverpool Road. We ran around the one-way system and passed the former Stagecoach bus depot which is now student accomodation. We continued and into town along Northgate. We crossed over the ring road on Northgate and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We had a look around to see what we could catch. Arriva NW&W 2668 was on a #11A to Connah's Quay, but we weren't on our tickets.

Arriva NW&W 2668 in Chester bus station

It was also as bus we had been on before. We had previously been on Arriva NW&W 2668 in August 2021, from Runcorn to Halton Lea Hospital on a #3C. Also seen was Arriva NW&W 4542 on layover in between runs on the #11 to Rhyl.

Arriva NW&W 4542 in Chester bus station

We saw a freshly painted bus on a stand behind us. We went to have a look and we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 on a #61 to Higher Kinnerton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 in Chester bus station

We had a look in which direction the bus was going and we worked out where we could do the bus to and get back on another service. We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside of Stagecoach Merseyside 36802.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 36802

After waiting time, we set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We turned right onto Love Street and onto Pepper Street. We continued onto Lower Bridge Street and we turned left onto Old Dee Bridge into Handbridge. We continued onto Overleigh Road and we crossed the A483 and we turned left onto Lache Lane where we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 as it carried on towards Higher Kinnerton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 in Hough Green

Once off the bus we crossed over Lache Lane and we walked along Cavendish Road. When we got to the A5104, we saw that it was a residential area and there were no places to go to. We crossed ovcer the road and we waited at the bus stop. We waited for the next Stagecoach bus. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2909 on a #4 to Chester Railway Station.

Arriva NW&W 2909 in Hough Green

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 15583 on a #16 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15583 in Hough Green

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Hough Green and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Overleigh Road. We continued onto Handbridge and we crossed over Old Dee Bridge. We turned right onto Pepper Street and forwards onto Vicar Lane. We turned left onto Love Street and right onto Foregate Street. As we waited to pull forwards onto the Grosvenor Court roundabout an unidentified CIE Tours coach. We turned left onto St Oswald's Way and we entered the bus station in the North West corner. Once off the bus we decided to have a bit of a break and head into a pub. On the way we saw Prospect Coaches YS25 XOV on a #021 Flixbus service to London.

Prospect Coaches YS25 XOV in Chester bus station

We crossed over St Oswald's Way and we headed into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar to get a drink. Matthew had a glass of Coke. After we had finished our drinks we headed back to the bus station. We decided to have one more bus and arrnage to met mum somewhere. We just missed a stagecoach bus on the #14 to Blacon, and the next bus was Arriva NW&W 3173 which we had already been on earlier in the day. We decided to catcha bus to Kingsway instead and go to the chip shop there. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 582 on a #82 to Northwich.

D&G Bus 582 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus heading towards the stand. As it came by us, we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and we turned left onto the A56. We ran North through Hoole and we turned left onto Newton Lane. We crossed over the bridge of an old disused railway line and then we turned right onto Kingsway. Just before the shops we turned left onto Coniston Road and we went to the end where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 as it continued around Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 in Kingsway

Once off the bus we had a look around. The chip shop that we used to go to had closed down. Whilst we waited for mum we decided to go the the Co-op. Matthew picked up a can and a chocolate bar. We sat on a bench and Matthew shared his chocolate bar with be and uncle Dave. Mum arrived and we decided to drive to another chip shop. We got in the car and we set off onto Kingsway. We turned right onto Newton Lane and left onto Brook Lane. We turned left onto Ermine Road and we stopped near then end by a chip shop. I went to fetch the food and on my return, Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. When I had finished eating we set off along Ermine Road and we turned left onto the A56. We headed North Eastwards and we crossed over the A41. At the next roundabout we turned left onto the M53. We headed Northwards to Stoak and we joined the Eastbound M56. We ran through cheshire for around 15 miles and we joined the Southbound M6. As we were heading Southwards through Cheshire we were passed by a group of coaches. I beleive these were returning fans to Gillingham after there football match at Salford. The first coach to pass us was Worthing Coaches BU18 YTW.

Worthing Coaches BU18 YTW on the M6

Straight after this coach was Worthing Coaches BV69 LSF.

Worthing Coaches BV69 LSF on the M6

A few minutes later we were passed by Spirit of Sussex 549.

Spirit of Sussex 549 on the M6

At junction 16 we joined the A500. A we headed towards Talke we were passed by Copeland's Tours MIB 537 returning from a day trip to Lichfield and Penkridge.

Copeland's Tours MIB 537 on the A500

We continued through Longport and Etruria and we came off the A500 at Stoke. We veered left onto Wheildon Road. We crossed over the canal and under the railway line. We stopped to drop off uncle Dave and we said goodbye. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50 and continued along Blurton Road. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton around 19:20. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched YouTube and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Bristol / Bath 27-04-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
35147	Weston-super-Mare Interchange	Bristol BS	X1	First Bristol
36802	Bristol BS	Bath BS	X39	First Bristol
33858	Bath BS	Claverton Village	D2x	First Bristol
67102	Claverton Village	Bath BS	D2x	First Bristol
36818	Bath BS	Bristol BS	X39	First Bristol
35147	Bristol BS	Weston-super-Mare Interchange	X1	First Bristol
35685	Weston-super-Mare Interchange	Burnham-on-Sea, (W-bound)	20	First Bristol

Today we were on the second day of a holiday in Somerset. Matthew woke up around 07:00. He had his medication at 08:00 and got up around 09:00. Matthew had toast washd down with a glass of orange Fanta. Just after 10:00 we got in the car and we set off to Weston-Super-Mare. We set off out of the caravan park onto Westfield Road and we turned left onto the B3140. At the roundabout be turned left to continue following the B3140. We headed Eastwards for a few miles and we joined the Northound A38. We veered left onto the A370 and we continued to head North into Weston-super-Mare. We followed the A370 to the right and we turned left onto Walliscote Road We turned left onto Oxford Street and right nto High Street before we turned into the NCP car park. Once we had parked up said goodbye to mum and we walked down onto Regent Street. We stopped at Greggs and we bought sausage rolls and a bottle of Coke. As we approached the Interchange we saw First Bristol 67108 on a A3 to Bristol Airport.

First Bristol 67108 in Weston-super-Mare Interchange

We set at the bus stop and we ate a sausage roll each. Matthew also had his bottle of Coke. Whilst at the bus stop we saw Edwards BV23 ZXL on a #100 to Birmingham.

Edwards BV23 ZXL in Weston-super-Mare Interchange

A few minutes later we saw another X1 on stand. As it got closer we saw it was First Bristol 35147 on a X1 to Bristol.

First Bristol 35147 in Weston-super-Mare Interchange

We got on the bus and we booked at Avon Rider Group ticket at £14 before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the B3440 and we headed Eastwards. We continued for a couple of miles to Worle and we clled into the small bus station by the retail park. We Rejoined the B3440 and we crossed over the M5 and headed Eastwards along the A370. We headed through Hewish and the road turned sharp left in Congresbury. We ran North Eastwards through Cleeve and Backwell before the road turned Eastwards through Flax Bourton. We joined a fast section of the A370 with no stop until we reached the Western edge of Bristol. After a brief stop near to Ashton Gate we ran forwards onto the A3029 and we crossed over the river. We crossed the Brunel Lock and we headed Eastwards along the A4. We ran forwards onto the A38 which appeared to be the main road through Bristol where most of the local buses were stopping. We turned left onto the B4051 and we turned left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. After using the facilities we came out to see what we could catch. Alomost immediately we saw First Bristol 36802 on a X39 to Bath.

First Bristol 36802 in Bristol bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Avon Rider group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Lower Maudlin Street. We crossed the A38 and we ran onto Bridewell Street. We turned left onto Broadmead Street and right onto Fairfax Street. We ran through a tunnel and we turned right onto Merchant Street. We turned right on to Newgate and we ran forwards onto Wine Street. We turned left onto Bristol Bridge and we ran along the B4053. We ran forwards onto the A4 and we passde Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We crossed the river over Totterdown bridge and we ran up the hill past the paintworks. We continued Eastwards past the Lodekka pub and into Brislington. We ran forwards onto tje Keynsham bypass and we ran fast around the town and into Saltford. We continued Eastwards along the A4 and we crossed the river at Newbridge. We continued to the edge of the city and we saw First Bristol 37634 on a #4A to Weston. We turned right onto Little Stanhop Street and we turned left onto James Street West. We continued onto Saint James's Parade and we ran forwards onto Southgate Street before entering the bus station from the West end. We pulled onto a stand and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a wal around the bus station. We walked to the West end and we saw Faresaver BJ11 DVN.

Faresaver BJ11 DVN in Bath bus station

We walked back towards the bus s ation and we went through the old booking office to the toilet. Afterwards we walked intothe bus station to see what we could catch. We saw First Bristol 33933 on a #172 to Bristol. A few minutes later we saw a bus come on stand. It was First Bristol 33858 on a D2x to Frome.

First Bristol 33858 in Bath bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Avon Rider Group ticket to tbhe driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Dorchester Street. We turned left onto Manvers Street and we headed Northwards. We continued onto Pierrepont Street and we turned left onto Orange Grove. We ran forwards onto High Street and we turned right onto Bridge Street. We crossed over the river and we ran onto Argyle Street. We continued onto Great Pulteney Street and we turned left onto the A36. We continued Eastwards up the hill to bathampton and the road veered right and we headed Southwards. We passed First Bristol 67101 on a D1 to Bath. We continjued for about another mile and we came into Claverton where we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Bristol 33858 as it continued towards Frome.

First Bristol 33858 in Claverton

We crossed over the road and we decided to have a quick look up the footpath into the village. There was nothing there apart from a postbox and a defribulator! by the time we got back to the bus srop we had about 15 minutes to wait. We had a look for supplies in the trip bag. Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Bristol 67102 on a D2x to Bath.

First Bristol 67102 in Claverton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Avon Rider Group ticket to the driver befoer we sat down towards the middle of the bus. We set off Northwards along the A36. The road wheeled around to the left and we headed Westwards through Bathampton. We ran down the hill into the City and we turned right onto Great Pulteney Street. We continued onto Argyle Street and we crossed over the bridge before turning left onto Grand Parade. We ran into a square where there were coaches loading up with passengers. These included Trafalgar TT22 TTL and Airsym YD22 BZL. We ran forwards onto Pierrepont Street and we continued onto Manvers Street. We turned right onto Dorchester Stree and we ran around the bus station entering from the West side. We piulled onto a stand and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over Dorchester Street and we went to the Sainsbury's Local shop. We headed back into the bus staion and we had around 10 minutes to wait for the bus back to Bristol. After a short wait we saw a bus pull onto the stand. We sawi it was First Bristol 36818 on a X39 to Bristol.

First Bristol 36818 in Bath bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Avo Rider Group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus pulled out of the bus station and we turned left onto Dorchester Street. We headed onto Saint James's arade and we ran out of town Westwards along the A4. We headed out of the city and through Saltford where we saw Arleen YC16 XAH. We went onto the Keynsham bypass and at the other end we saw First Bristol 33973 on a #349 to Keynsham. We continued down the hill through Totterdown and we crossed the bridge and into Bristol. We ran past Temple Meads station and we went forwards onti the B4053 We crossed over Bristol Bridge and we followed the road to the right onto Wine Street. We turned left onto Union Street and we turned left onto Rupert Street. We ran around Primark and we headed Eastwards along the A38. We turned left onto the B4051 and we entered the bus station fron the Eastern end. The bus pulled onto a stand and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew used the toilet. We had about 15 minutes for the next X1 and we saw Edwards Coaches National Express liveried coach BV66 WPJ on a #040 to London. We walked out of the bus station and onto Cannon Street. We crossed over a green ont the A38 and we visited the Bay Horse. Matthew had a glass of Coke. We quickly drank the drink and we headed back along the path onto Cannona Street and back into the bus station. When we got into the bus station we saw the bus was already on stand. As we got closer we saw it was First Bristol 35147 on a X1 to Weston-super-Mare.

First Bristol 35147 in Bristol bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Avon Rider Group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Lower Maudlin Street. We turned right onto the A38 and we ran through the city centre. There were dozens of buses on both sides of the A38. We ran forwards onto the A4 and we crossed over the docks before leaving town along the A3029 and over the river. We ran past Ashton Gate before joining the A370. The football had just finished and a few of the quicker fans managed to get on the bus. We continued onto the fast section of the A370 and we saw an unidentified laser coach and CJJ Travel LE18 ONN. We ran though Flax Bourton and Backwell and into Congresbury where we turned right to continue following the A370. We ran through Hewish and we crossed over the M5. We ran onto the B3440 and we stopped at Worle Retail Park. Afterwards we ran through the retail park and continued along the B3440 into Weston-super-Mare. We ran forwards ontoi Locking Road and into the Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Bristol 35147 before it continued to Asda.

First Bristol 35147 in Weston-super-Mare Interchange

We had around 10 minutes before the last bus to Burnham-on-Sea. Mattew deicded he needed the toilet so we headed back over to Tesco to used the toilet there. When we had finished we we rushed back over the road and the bus was already on the stand. As we got closer we saw it was First Bristol 35685 on a #20 to Burnham-on-Sea.

First Bristol 35685 in Weston-super-Mare Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Avon Rider Group ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turne right onto the B3440 past the railway station. We turned right onto the A370 and we headed out of town. We headed Southwards for a few miles and at Easttown we turned right onto Lympsham Road. We passed through Lympsham ans we continued Westwards along Rectory Way Way. We turned left onto Brean Road and we ran forwards onto Wick Road. After running tnrough Wick we turned right onto Ham Road an left onto Weston Road. We passed Warren Farm holiday park and we turned left onto the B3140. We ran through Brean and Berrow passing First Somerset 34416. We continued into Burnham-on-Sea and we ran forwards onto the B3139. We turned right onto Marine Drive and we ran forwards on to Station Approach passing First Somerset 34469 on a #21 to Taunton. When we got to the centre of Burnham-on-Sea we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Bristol 35685 before it returned to the depot.

First Bristol 35685 in Burnham-on-Sea

Once off the bus we waited for mum to come and pick us up. When mum arrived we drove onto the Esplanade and I went to the chips shop to get some food. This particular place is somewhere I will never return to, as they charged me as if I was eating in even though they were fully aware I was taking away. They heard my non-local accent and decided to rip me off. We took the food and we set off Northwards up the Esplanade, We turned right onto SeaView Road and right onto the B3140. We turned left onto Westfield Road and we continued onto the caravan park. We got back into the caravan and we ate our sausage and chips, which incidentally weren't that nice. We chilled out in the caravan and we had some Cherry Coke. Later on we all had a toffee Crisp. After doing some of the Blog and writing an e-mail we went to bed around 23:30... Mark