UK bus is 'world's most confusing' and leaves at different times each day
If you're taking a trip on the 477 bus, you'll need to plan your journey carefully, because the timetable changes every day.
The 477 bus serves the famous Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland.
It's one of the UK's 43 'sometimes' islands that are only accessible at low tide. As such, the timetable is dependent on when the causeway to the island isn't submerged by water during high tide.
For example, if you want to travel to Holy Island on Wednesday July 2, you'd hop on the bus at the Causeway End stop, on the mainland, at 12:54am.
But if you did the same journey a week later, on Wednesday July 9, you'd have to go to the same bus stop at 10:54am instead.
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And crucially, you need to make sure you can get off the island, before the tide rises and you're trapped.
The Met Office warns that 'each year, lots of people get cut off by the tide and need to be rescued' — and that's certainly the case for Holy Island. Northumberland County Council say that 'around 10 to 20 vehicles are stranded each year' on the causeway.
The bus, which travels from Berwick-upon-Tweed, operates mainly on Wednesdays and Sundays, with some additional days thrown in on extra days. It usually makes one or two journeys per day.
Operated by Borders Buses, the 477 has been dubbed 'baffling' and 'the world's most confusing' by YouTuber Tom Scott.
And, in a list of the 10 most beautiful bus routes in the UK, The Telegraph dubbed it 'stupendously complicated'.
Reddit users have also confirmed that it's no easy feat to plan a trip to Holy Island by bus, with one person advising travellers to 'get a catapult' instead.
Another said: 'For the full experience I recommend you simply swim through the tide.'
Once visitors do make it onto Holy Island though, they're in for a treat. More Trending
The island itself is beautiful, with the stunning ruins of Lindisfarne priory and Lindisfarne castle.
It's rich with history. In 635AD Saint Aidan travelled from Iona and founded his monastery on the island, making it a centre point for Anglo-Saxon Christianity. The saint is buried here, and there's a museum to explore too.
Sandham Bay, North Shore and Coves Haven are just some of the islands beaches to visit, and you can't visit Holy Island without sampling some Lindisfarne Mead in the quaint village before you head back to the mainland.
Just make sure you check the bus timetable for your return journey, or you'll be stuck there for the night.
The UK's cheapest train ticket costs just 10p, but it doesn't really get you anywhere. A 'Platform Ticket' grants you access to the station platform for 60 minutes after being issued. They're not valid on trains and are only good for the station where they were issued. Flixbus has launched a new route connecting London and Brighton for as little as £4.49. The twice-daily FlixBus service, which welcomed its first passengers on June 13, does take a little longer than the train at around 2 hours and 25 minutes, but is considerably cheaper than most train fares to the seaside.
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Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
UK bus is 'world's most confusing' and leaves at different times each day
If you're taking a trip on the 477 bus, you'll need to plan your journey carefully, because the timetable changes every day. The 477 bus serves the famous Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland. It's one of the UK's 43 'sometimes' islands that are only accessible at low tide. As such, the timetable is dependent on when the causeway to the island isn't submerged by water during high tide. For example, if you want to travel to Holy Island on Wednesday July 2, you'd hop on the bus at the Causeway End stop, on the mainland, at 12:54am. But if you did the same journey a week later, on Wednesday July 9, you'd have to go to the same bus stop at 10:54am instead. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. And crucially, you need to make sure you can get off the island, before the tide rises and you're trapped. The Met Office warns that 'each year, lots of people get cut off by the tide and need to be rescued' — and that's certainly the case for Holy Island. Northumberland County Council say that 'around 10 to 20 vehicles are stranded each year' on the causeway. The bus, which travels from Berwick-upon-Tweed, operates mainly on Wednesdays and Sundays, with some additional days thrown in on extra days. It usually makes one or two journeys per day. Operated by Borders Buses, the 477 has been dubbed 'baffling' and 'the world's most confusing' by YouTuber Tom Scott. And, in a list of the 10 most beautiful bus routes in the UK, The Telegraph dubbed it 'stupendously complicated'. Reddit users have also confirmed that it's no easy feat to plan a trip to Holy Island by bus, with one person advising travellers to 'get a catapult' instead. Another said: 'For the full experience I recommend you simply swim through the tide.' Once visitors do make it onto Holy Island though, they're in for a treat. More Trending The island itself is beautiful, with the stunning ruins of Lindisfarne priory and Lindisfarne castle. It's rich with history. In 635AD Saint Aidan travelled from Iona and founded his monastery on the island, making it a centre point for Anglo-Saxon Christianity. The saint is buried here, and there's a museum to explore too. Sandham Bay, North Shore and Coves Haven are just some of the islands beaches to visit, and you can't visit Holy Island without sampling some Lindisfarne Mead in the quaint village before you head back to the mainland. Just make sure you check the bus timetable for your return journey, or you'll be stuck there for the night. The UK's cheapest train ticket costs just 10p, but it doesn't really get you anywhere. A 'Platform Ticket' grants you access to the station platform for 60 minutes after being issued. They're not valid on trains and are only good for the station where they were issued. Flixbus has launched a new route connecting London and Brighton for as little as £4.49. The twice-daily FlixBus service, which welcomed its first passengers on June 13, does take a little longer than the train at around 2 hours and 25 minutes, but is considerably cheaper than most train fares to the seaside. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Extreme heatwave hits Europe as temperatures set to soar above 40C in holiday hotspots
Popular European destinations are facing extreme temperatures with the hot weather expected to soar well into the 40s in major holiday hotspots. Warnings are in place for cities including Paris and Rome over the weekend and into next week, while wildfires have erupted in Greece. Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon warned that southern and western Europe was experiencing a heatwave which was also extending into southeastern parts of the continent. 'Temperatures are expected to be 5-10C above normal fairly widely in Europe, with the potential for a few locations to reach around 40C in the southeast, and possibly even higher across parts of Iberia from Friday, likely challenging some June records,' he said. 'This excessive heat will extend north across other parts of western Europe early next week, and plays a role in the heatwave parts of the UK is expecting, though not with temperatures as high as those previously states,' added. AccuWeather lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls said similar to the 'burst of heat' earlier this month, a strong area of high pressure is going to build over western Europe from Morocco, bringing high temperatures. That system will extend ' upward through Spain, Portugal, into France, and eventually spreading out towards Germany and Italy as we get into the weekend', he said. Mr Nicholls added: 'Worst case scenario, people could be suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion, especially if they're outside during the prime heating part of the day, like midday/afternoon hours.' Spanish and Portuguese temperatures to exceed 40C Temperatures in Spain began to rise sharply on Friday, with heatwave conditions expected to continue until at least Tuesday with extremely high temperatures potentially reaching 42C in parts of the country, according to Spain's meteorological office. 'Very high and persistent temperatures are expected, both during the day and at night, which could pose a risk to exposed and/or vulnerable people,' the agency said. In the Canary Islands, temperatures could reach as high as 36C on Saturday, while inland Mallorca will occasionally reach 38C. Also on the Iberian peninsula, Portugal's weather forecaster has issued an orange warning for extreme high temperatures over the weekend. Temperatures in Lisbon and central Portugal are forecast to exceed 42C by Sunday and the high 30s in southern parts of the country. France issues orange alert for 'stifling' heatwave Paris is facing a heatwave from Monday, with temperatures peaking at 39C on Tuesday and forecasters urging caution for people who have to be outside for longer periods of time. Mr Nicholls said those temperatures at this time of year for Paris were not common, last occurring in 2022. In the south of France, temperatures are expected to reach 40C in some areas and authorities have issued a severe fire risk warning and an orange alert for extreme heat for nine departments across central- and south-east France by Saturday. In inland areas of those departments, temperatures could climb to 42C, Le Parisien reports. Meteo France warned that high surface temperatures on the Mediterranean Sea could also affect overnight minimum temperatures, 'making nights more stifling during the heatwave'. In Greece, summer wildfires force Athens evacuations In Greece's first heatwave of the summer temperatures approached 40C in Athens on Thursday, as a large wildfire broke out south of the city forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds that frequently changed direction, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. "We're telling people to leave their homes," local town councilor Apostolos Papadakis said on Greece's state-run ERT television. A work stoppage was declared for certain workers including delivery riders on Friday by the Ministry of Labor for Friday afternoon with temperatures set to reach 41C, Greek newspaper Ta Nea reported. Several popular tourist destinations in Italy are expected to swelter through prolonged stretches of temperatures in the high 30s. In Rome, daytime highs won't dip below 37C until Thursday, according to Il Meteo, while temperatures in Florence will alternate between 38C and 39C from Monday. Naples will also reach highs of 37C on Saturday and Monday, while in the northeast, Venice will reach 36C on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures in other Italian destinations are forecast to be milder, reaching the mid-30s for Naples and high 20s for Bari in Puglia over the weekend. As the heatwave moves north through next week, weather experts warn temperatures in parts of Germany could near 40C by Wednesday. 'Up to 40 degrees Celsius is possible by the middle of next week,' Dr Karsten said. The forecasting site predicts the heat to remain above 30C for five days and above 35C for three during the upcoming German heatwave. Frankfurt is expected to reach 38C on Wednesday, while in Berlin temperatures will reach 35C.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Enough of the Bognor bashing – I think the seaside town is one of the UK's best
BASKING in the sunshine on Bognor's pebbly beach, watching my boys skim stones into the sea, I found myself wondering if there could be a more picture-perfect snapshot of a trip to the British seaside. I've been visiting this south coast resort since I was tiny and now my boys love heading to the Sussex seaside just as much as I do. 6 6 6 So I couldn't believe my eyes when Bognor was named the worst seaside town in this year's Which? survey, with some visitors branding it dirty and rundown. It only scored 36 per cent overall, with visitors rating its beach two stars out of five. Its seafront, food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, parking, peace and quiet and value for money only received one star each. Despite this depressing result, it's nonsense to suggest that Bognor is bottom of British beach breaks, as far as I'm concerned. There's a reason why it's been a family favourite for generations and why British holiday institution Butlin's has had a presence in the town for almost a century, despite closing lots of other locations around the country. For a start, the Met Office records show that Bognor averages around 1900 hours of sunshine a year, making it a good choice if you want to turn your great British staycay into a raycay. Maybe the shingle shoreline isn't everyone's cup of tea, but paddling on pebbles does mean you're not finding sand in all your nooks and crannies for weeks after your trip to the coast. We usually stay at Butlin's and it's just a short walk along the prom to get to the town, passing the pier and the greenery of Waterloo Square before heading further on to Marine Park Gardens. Or you can catch the little land train that ferries visitors along the shoreline, costing £1.50 for adults and £1 for children. We like to stroll along, admiring the seaside architecture glinting white in the sunlight as we go. I tried the new Gladiators event at Butlin's with some of the TV stars… and my kids were obsessed And there's the Play on the Beach playground for little visitors on this stretch of the esplanade too. Another highlight of any trip to Bognor is a visit to Hotham Park, where I remember taking a trip on the miniature railway as a child. It's still a lovely place to visit and now my boys can take a turn around the tracks while I get nostalgic about childhood summers and fun in the sun. For me, I love going back to the town to see what has stayed the same and what is new and exciting. I can't wait for the £15million transformation of the Alexandra Theatre when it is unveiled next year. And there's a new £13million Premier Inn due to open nearby later this year. Butlin's has also had plenty of investment in recent times, with a £40million pool opening in 2019 and the £15million Playxperience offering digital versions of family favourites like darts and crazy golf. 6 6 Even better, you can just pop in for the day if you're staying elsewhere in Bognor, with day passes from as little as £1 for children during term-time. With all this money being spent on accommodation and attractions, it would be a mistake to write off this seaside spot as not worth a visit when it feels like it's on the up and being brought bang into the 21st century with all these new openings. Every year, when Which? releases the results from surveying its 4000 members on seaside trips they've taken the previous summer, I shake my head with a wry smile at whichever much-loved traditional seaside resort has ended up being named and shamed this time. It's been Skegness, Clacton, Mablethorpe and Bangor in recent years, but none of those deserved to be bottom either. You can't really compare a resort that focuses on family fun and lots of laughs, with arcades, pubs, chippies and ice cream stalls aplenty, with somewhere like Bamburgh in Northumberland, which consistently comes top of the list. Its amazing castle and unspoilt beach are definitely a winning combination, but you can't beat the bustle of Bognor or Bangor for offering budget-friendly best-of-British breaks with something to keep all ages happy. It's almost 100 years since King George V visited Bognor to convalesce and gave it the royal seal of approval by allowing the town to add Regis to its name. As far as I'm concerned, it's still a jewel in the crown of the South Coast, sparkling in the sunlight for all to see. It should be basking in its title of sunniest seaside spot, instead of being bashed for its beach or buildings. 6
