Shropshire sightseeing on a Routemaster

Thursday 14th May 2026

I was pleased to catch up with Robert Thompson on a day out to Shropshire yesterday. Robert owns and runs, as well as drives for, his Shrewsbury based bus company called Regional Transport Ltd.

Aside from Rail Replacement and private hires keeping Robert busy, one of Regional Transport’s eye catching activities is Route T1, offering a sightseeing tour through the wonderful Shropshire countryside linking Shrewsbury with Ironbridge, famous for its World Heritage Site status.

The tour also takes in the National Trust property at Attingham Park and the English Heritage run Wroxeter Roman City.

I recall having an enjoyable day out with my good friend Ray Stenning soon after the company was formed and the service launched in 2015 but the route ceased during Covid with Robert only bringing it back last summer.

I wasn’t able to fit in a return visit last year so was delighted to see the service returned again for the 2026 season at the beginning of this month so wasted no time in heading over to Shrewsbury to take another ride.

I chose yesterday deliberately as although the service runs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the first and second Wednesday of each month has a treat in store with Robert using his 1962 vintage RMC 1490 instead of the more usual open-top Scania N94UB.

As a further treat for any nostalgic Leyland National fans, Robert runs his former London LS 343 on the first and second Sunday of each month.

That Scania is a former Lothian Buses vehicle subsequently used on First’s Exmoor Coaster but generally Regional Transport’s fleet comprises former London buses from across the decades all lovingly looked after and in excellent condition. Full details can be found on the company’s website here.

Sure enough, yesterday morning, it was a smartly turned out RMC 1490 driven by Robert himself which arrived at the bus stop in Shrewsbury Square at 11:20 having begun its tour at the previous stop at Shrewsbury Abbey.

Three passengers were already on the bus but I managed to get a coveted upper deck front seat for the 70 minute journey over to Ironbridge.

The route includes a circuit of Shrewsbury’s town centre…

… before heading south to Ironbridge including a call at the bus station where we picked up six more passengers.

Yesterday’s Shropshire weather was characterised by alternating showers and sunshine but this didn’t dampen the fantastic views offered up by Shropshire’s rural charm as we began the tour proper.

There’s a recorded commentary giving the historical background to the many interesting sites (and sights) along the way and as already mentioned there’s a stop at Attingham Park Estate which includes a tour through the magnificent grounds on the outward journey, making it convenient for any passengers using the bus to visit and who also benefit from a discount on their admission.

Next up, 10 minutes later, is the fascinating Wroxeter Roman City…

… where again any visitors are dropped off right by the entrance and there’s money off admission.

On arrival in Ironbridge the bus pauses for an hour allowing either a 60 minute visit to this historic town or a longer four hours stay by returning on the later afternoon departure.

At the moment, with both the Museum Of The Gorge and Museum of Iron still closed a stay of four hours would be pushing it a bit, not least with those rain showers, so it wasn’t surprising to see all nine passengers who’d been on the outward journey get back on board at 13:15 for the return to Shrewsbury.

The return route is slightly longer taking in the delightful town of Much Wenlock where we picked up two more passengers as well as dropping two off to explore this lovely part of the county.

Then it was back via Wroxeter and this time we didn’t call in at Attingham Park but instead stayed on the main road with a stop at the end of the driveway to the Estate at Atcham.

12 minutes after that we’re back at Shrewsbury Abbey and a repeat of the tour of the town centre before heading straight back on the afternoon tour departure.

I had a chat with Robert during the break in Ironbridge and he shared his disappointment with numbers travelling in the first couple of weeks of the season, not helped by the museums not being open for the season yet, and it was noticeable how quiet the town was with few visitors in the cafés and restaurants, although the changeable weather may not have helped.

Low demand wouldn’t be for lack of promotion for the T1 with a timetable leaflet with full details available …

… and Robert has diligently installed timetables at all the relevant bus stops…

… including a poster in the case at the stop by Ironbridge’s Museum Of The Gorge which the Council seem content to leave with misleading out dated information about other bus routes as far back as those pre-Covid days in 2019 (as I highlighted in a previous blog last year when sampling Telford’s new DRT operation).

Attention to detail by Robert even includes every stop on the route being defined by its What3words code so there’s no doubting you’re waiting in the correct location.

Robert acts as both driver and conductor on the RMC by getting out of the cab at each bus stop to sell tickets to any boarders which shows remarkable dedication and stamina and everyone on board was impressed with his helpful and positive approach, producing information and reassurance. The doors at the rear of the bus ensure everyone on board is kept safe.

This year’s season continues until Sunday 13th September so if you’re a Routemaster or Leyland National fan or just enjoy an open top bus ride through beautiful countryside let alone an interest in Roman history and iron bridges then this is the service for you.

A day ticket is £16, or £14 for concessions, students and carers and £10 for a child with a family ticket (two plus two) at £35. It’s well worth it.

Well done to Robert for a great initiative and I do hope custom picks up as the season continues.

Roger French

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