Why bus is best when it comes to exploring history in and around Nottingham

A Trent-Barton bus on the edge of Nottingham going about its business, carrying folk between Nottingham and Cotmanhay via the Ilkeston Road, Radford, Wollaton, Trowell and Ilkeston. Nothing glamourous, just an ordinary bus, but not quite. It is working one of Nottingham 'Heritage Bus Routes'.

Of course, you can argue that every bus route qualifies for the title 'Heritage Bus Route', but I have start somewhere, so I have compiled an initial list of places and routes, which I will add to and amend over time.

The first list of some eighty places, plus their bus routes, is from memory. I am sure that there are others, so if you would like anywhere, or a bus route, added please contact me.

The Two provides two useful links with the Erewash Canal, which runs from Langley Mill to the River Trent, about seventeen miles in total. One at Trowell and the other at Cotmanhay (see my Parkviews blog and type 'Erewash Canal' into the search box.

The two also takes you into Ilkeston Town Centre and very close to Erewash Museum, one of my favourite museums. A real gem by any measure and its free to visit (unlike Nottingham Castle Museum!).

Then there's the two wonderful nature reserves (Harrison's Plantation and Martin's Pond) on the north side of Russell Drive and Wollaton Road in Wollaton, within yards of The Two. On the south side you are within a few hundred yards of Wollaton Park, with its Hall and the Yard Gallery, plus Nottingham Industrial Museum. 

In Nottingham itself, there are tens of places to visit and things to do, many for free and Trent Barton's 'The Two' bus will get you to all of them (within ten minutes walk at most).

The Two is a good example of a 'History Bus', but I would argue all bus routes  are journeys into history, so the next time you go on a bus, switch off your mobile 'phone and look out of the windows instead and be amazed. 

History by Bus has to start somewhere, hence the lists in the narrow column to the right, arranged by county. In the new year, I plan to turn this blog into a website. In the meantime, I hope you find it of interest.

Robert Howard.