Enjoy some fun in the sun on the Thanet Open Top Bus!
Stagecoach’s popular spring-summer service made its return earlier this month and is running every bank holiday, weekend, and school holiday until 24th September.
The hugely popular service made its return to full capacity last year and carried over 26,000 passengers in its 2022 season.
With several tourist hotspots, foodie hang outs and blue flag beaches, grab your sunnies and hop on the cream and maroon double decker for an unforgettable day out in Thanet.
Hop off at Victoria Parade to explore the cottage that was Charles Dickens’ inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in the book David Copperfield. Adorned with colourful flowers and old-fashioned furniture as detailed in the book.
A short walk from the Ramsgate Harbour bus stop, you will find the Ramsgate Tunnels, the town’s maritime museum, and a boat trip where you can spot seals.
For historians with a special interest in war, the Ramsgate Tunnels will take you on a tour of its 150-year history. From its establishment as a Victorian Railway Tunnel before it transformed to become a purpose build Air Raid Precaution tunnel where 60,000 people took shelter during World War Two.
The Ramsgate Maritime Museum can be found in the heart of Ramsgate Harbour. With four galleries telling the maritime history of East Kent showing the development of the Harbour, Navigation, Fishing, Lifeboats and Shipwrecks.
If you’d like to see some wildlife, then a Sea Searcher trip from Ramsgate Harbour might be the venture for you. Take a trip to an active seal colony where you have the chance to see the seals in their natural habitat.
Route 69 overlooking the blue flag beach of Stone Bay, Broadstairs
You can grab food and drinks at several spots along route 69. Whether it’s brunch, picking up a sweet treat or fine dining, you can have it all!
New to Stone Bay’s colourful and funky food hut, Namaka will take up residence from the 5th May to bring you meals that are good for the soul. You can expect fresh smoothies, poke bowls and fruit bowls from the café.
The full seaside experience isn’t complete without some fish and chips. Ramsgate’s prime spot is Peter’s Fish Factory, where you can take away to eat on Ramsgate’s Main Sands beach or eat-in to avoid the seagulls!
A 1950s style, pink-interior ice cream parlour can be found along Victoria Parade in Broadstairs. Morelli’s features a varied menu of gelato, waffles, ice cream sundaes, cake, coffee and even cocktails!
And if you want to treat yourself, a trip to Little Ships will give you great food, incredible views and a history lesson all from its interior. Little Ships’ walls are covered in war memorabilia and the restaurant takes its name from the boats that set sail from Ramsgate during the Dunkirk evacuations in 1940.
Whether it’s brunch, dinner or just a coffee stop you’re after, this restaurant is an absolute must visit when you stop at Ramsgate Harbour.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Main Sands, then Ramsgate Boating Pool is the place for you. Situated on the West Cliff, treat yourself to a pizza, pint and pedalo ride! The perfect spot to relax with the kids! Just hop off route 69 right outside the café.
Operating hourly between Ramsgate and Broadstairs, passengers can hop on and off the open top all day long with a Thanet DayRider for just £5.40. Or make the most of Stagecoach’s current £2 single fare scheme, a cheap day out for the whole family with up to four children travelling for as little as £1 each with any adult ticket holder.
The service has created new memories for the younger generation, allowing them to step into a Thanet reminiscent of the 60s and 70s.
Whilst giving the older generation the chance to look back fondly of their times spent on the cream and maroon bus.
The retro double decker is especially personal to Isabel, a Broadstairs resident of over 50 years, "I still get excited to see the Open Top Bus. Reminding me of growing up on the coast. You see so much and feel like you are on holiday. The sea air, wind in your hair and making memories".
For further information and the full timetable, visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/thanetopentop