Want to keep the kids happy? Take them back in time on a Classic Coach trip. Lesley Jones clambers aboard for a bus ride and history lesson rolled into one

Harvey, the convertible bus

I usually go 2 or 3 times a year but even knowing what is in store it is always a very enjoyable day out with or without children.

The bus is timetabled to leave Kirkby Stephen at 10.50am, a civilised hour, and to my delight and the children’s, a double-decker bus pulled up.

It was Harvey, painted cream with the Wensleydale Creamery logo. a 1959 Bristol Lodekka 627 HFM, Eastern Coach Works body, Convertible, originally Crosville.  10.45 Gardner diesel, 60 seats and five-speed crash gearbox.

That barage of stats impressed you didn't it ... Well, if you would like to know more, the rest of Harvey’s specifications are there to see at  www.cumbriaclassiccoaches.co.uk . You will also see the rest of their fleet of classic coaches.

Will and the team

We clambered upstairs. Our conductor today was Gorden, in his clippie’s uniform processing tickets in the old fashioned way.  Each child had a souvenier cardboard pictorial pink clipped ticket to take back home to Stevenage. The bus fare also includes money off and discount vouchers to spend in Hawes.

ill was driving the bus and his daughter Alison was doing the usual amusing guided tour for us.

And if it rains, on goes the top

Mallerstang
Now, as you can imagine this is quite a slow journey with plenty of time to take in the scenery and the history that Alison relates.

Ancient Forest, Lynchetts, Wharton Hall, Lammerside Castle, murdering Cooks, Water Yat Bottom, Blue Grass, Giants Graves, Pendragon Castle, packs of Paxo stuffing, Wild Boar Fell, the last boar, Outhgill, Red Squirrels, Lady Anne Clifford, St. Mary’s, The Thrag, Ned the Highwayman, Settle to Carlisle Railway, Cairns, Railway Accidents, Waterfalls, buried trains, building the railway, The Moorcock and much much more...

From the Moorcock on we enjoy the scenery of the hills and grouse moors before dropping down into the lower pastures on  the approach to Wensleydale and Hawes.

Appersett and Hawes
Over two stone bridges and into Appersett. You can get off at the Dales Country Museum, Market or the cheese factory?
If you would like to spend just an hour in Hawes the bus also goes on to Ribblehead Viaduct at 12.40, where it stays for just over an hour before returning.

The Hawes to Ravenstondale via Kirkby Stephen service returns at 15.10pm.

Cheese Factory
The Cheese Factory has a restaurant and café bar.. with two young children we opted for drinks, cakes and sitting in the garden play area.

I had expected the children to find the Cheese Factory tour boring but they loved it and searched out Wallace and Gromit.
Over to the shop to sample cheese and buy a W & G cheese to take home to Mum and Dad. Then we took a scenic walk through a sheep flock and into town and the vibrant street market.

A pen was purchased for J and Grandad, there is also an indoor market with book and video stores inside, and cheap toiletries.

Bottom End
We took a look at some gift shops and the waterfall, then on to the ropemakers. The children actually found the ropemaking interesting and P bought a sheepdog puppy toy. After a little visit to the Dales Countryside Museum Shop (it's good, but so was the weather, so we didn't go in) it was back to the children’s play area with ice cream.

And then it was time for home, back on to the bus and chatting to friends made on the way there.

Things to know ...
The Hawes bus operates from Easter to October on Tuesdays, Hawes Market Day.
NoW bus pass card holders travel free and there are reduced rates for children.