Arriva confirm new Darlington to Yorkshire Dales route

This addition is part of the existing Summer Sunday DalesBus service from the Tees Valley area to the Yorkshire Dales, which will see the journey go from Darlington, Richmond and Catterick Camp to Wensleydale, Hawes and Ribblehead, providing access to the Three Peaks area.

The buses will run every Sunday from May 5 until October 20, providing lots of opportunities to visit different parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The existing Northern DalesBus 831 will run from Middlesbrough (departing 9.30am), Stockton (9.42am) and Darlington (10.10am) to Richmond before travelling up Swaledale, visiting the villages of Grinton, Reeth, Gunnerside and Muker, and crossing the spectacular Buttertubs Pass to Hawes, home to the Dales Countryside Museum and Wensleydale Creamery. 

An Arriva bus travelling towards Darlington (Image: UGC)

After a short break, there’s an opportunity to catch DalesBus 832 to Ribblehead, Ingleton or Kirkby Lonsdale. 

These buses also run on Bank Holiday Mondays.

The return bus departs Kirkby Lonsdale at 3.30pm arriving back in Hawes at 4.25pm.

The bus continues from Hawes at 4.40pm for the return journey on Northern DalesBus 831 arriving in Richmond around 5.57pm, Darlington at 6.25pm and Middlesbrough at 7.05pm.

And new for 2024, it has seen Arriva confirm that Northern DalesBus 858 will provide access to Wensleydale and the Three Peaks area every Sunday, leaving Darlington at 8.30am, Richmond at 9.05am, and Catterick Camp at 9.13am, running to Redmire, Carperby, Askrigg, Bainbridge, Hawes and Ribblehead Station. 

The return bus then leaves Ribblehead at 6.55pm and Hawes at 7.15pm.

Additionally, Eastern DalesBus 859 will offer an afternoon trip from Richmond to Leyburn, leaving Richmond at 12.45pm and returning from Leyburn at 4pm.

Read more: 

• Two men and one woman in custody after cars set alight during disorder in Seaham

• 'Damp and mouldy' - North East headteacher joins call for government investment

• Meet the new owner of Darlington wool shop who made wedding dress from shop materials

Get more from The Northern Echo and stay informed with subscription. Click here to find out more.

A spokesperson for Arriva North East said: "This is probably one of the most scenic bus rides in England with unspoilt wilderness, wildflower meadows, heather moorland, caves and waterfalls, limestone scenery, long-distance footpaths, classic views of the Three Peaks and Ribblehead Viaduct, with shops, cafes and pubs dotted along the route - there is something for everyone to see and do."

The current national fare cap on bus fares applies to all these services, so each single journey costs just £2  (£1 for under 19s).

These services are run by Arriva North East as part of the DalesBus network managed by Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company, with support from Friends of the Dales, North Yorkshire Council and the Jack Brunton Charitable Trust.