Go-Ahead's ‘The Needles Breezer’ is crowned as Britain’s best open top bus route

Go-Ahead are proud to share that one of our routes has won the Great Scenic Journeys UK Open Top Bus Cup 2024.  

The competition, run annually by Great Scenic Journeys, began earlier this year with a collection of over 250 routes from all corners of the UK. Through several rounds of social media voting, the open top routes have been filtered down to a final two, which were put to public vote on 30 and 31 August. 

The route, run by our Southern Vectis team, won an outstanding 79% of the votes. It is a circular route connecting the West Wight and has views that will simply take your breath away. The route links Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, Fort Victoria Country Park, and The Needles Landmark Attraction at Alum Bay. A form of this route has been in operation on the island since June 1954, really showing the longevity of its appeal. 

As a major local employer, we are pleased to show off the best of the island and support tourism in the area. 

Martin Dean, Go-Ahead’s Managing Director, Regional Bus, said: “It’s great that this wonderful service has been recognised in this competition. In last year’s final, our New Forest Tours and Toon Tour were represented. It is fantastic to see another of our routes in the final and the win is well deserved.” 

Andrew Wickham, Managing Director, Southern Vectis, said “I am thrilled that The Needles Breezer has won this competition. An open top bus trip offers pure old-fashioned fun which people enjoy. Our drivers are friendly, helpful and very experienced with offering tourist advice. The route has some of the most stunning views to offer in the UK and I would encourage everyone to come and have a ride.” 

Go-Ahead’s regional bus companies run a variety of open top tours across Britain. Others include: 

• Eastbourne Sightseeing, offering a panoramic vista of the picturesque South Coast and South Downs National Park. Popular stops include the Lifeboat Museum, Italian Gardens, the Lighthouse, Beachy Head, Birling Gap, East Dean, Little Chelsea, and the town centre. 

• City Sightseeing Oxford, offering passengers panoramic views of the city's greatest attractions. Starting at the railway station, the tour showcases Oxford's rich architectural heritage, including Christ Church College, Oxford Castle and the Sheldonian Theatre, and includes a 45-minute walking tour. 

• Clacton Breeze, allowing passengers to soak in the Essex coastline, all the way to the Clacton Pavilion and Pier. 

• Brighton City Sightseeing, with panoramic views of the shoreline, will take you past some of our city's most famous landmarks, including the Royal Pavilion, i360, Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton Marina, and also the racecourse.  

• Ocean City Sights, a circular route from Plymouth City Centre around the historic Barbican and onto Plymouth Hoe and Plymouth Sound. 

• The Beachcomber, which goes along Scarborough’s seafront and to many of the town’s attractions such as the Rotunda Museum and Peaholms Park. 

• Purbeck Breezer, from Bournemouth to Swanage, via the golden sands and clear waters of Sandbanks and Studland.