Timetable info updated July 2020.    

Can it really be done in just 38 minutes?    

Berkeley PO to Bristol City Centre….. by bus!    

We put it to the test…  

Dursley – Berkeley Heath – Wanswell – Sharpness – Berkeley – Newport – Stone – Bristol

For many years we have been intending to go and see SS Great Britain.  So, having decided that a sunny December day would be a good time to visit, I suggested to my husband that we go by public bus.  Neither of us has travelled by public bus in years, so he was rather sceptical at the idea.  On my head be it!

Hesitantly, we went to the bus stop opposite the Post Office and were encouraged to find a small crowd gathered.  We were assured by others that the service is reliable but there was still a collective “Hurrah” when the bus appeared.

Payment was quick by contactless card or cash – £7.20 each for a return – and we set off one minute early at 10.21am.  The ride was as to be expected as we surfed the Alkington Lane potholes but soon we were plain sailing down the M5, M4 and M32 into Bristol.

Nearly everyone got off by the shopping area with its smart Cabot Circus – and eye wateringly expensive car parks.  And yes, we did arrive on time by 11am!  All good so far 🙂

To reach SS Great Britain, it took us about half an hour to walk an almost traffic free route along Welsh Back, over Prince Street Bridge and finally the path alongside the floating harbour.  (An alternative would be to use the water bus/ferry or the M2 metro bus).  The old steam and sailing ship is brilliant and well worth the trip.

Returning home, we walked to the bus station which is modern with a cafe shop, those all important loos, and clear departure gate displays.  We found the 4.10pm number 62 bus – and cast off bang on time!  It felt like we were crawling in M4 traffic for sometime but the bus picked up the wind down the slip road to join the M5 and continued steaming along.

We were soon back in Berkeley and home for a cuppa by 5 o’clock.  We agreed that it had been a wonderful and very stress-free outing.

Ten days later, I used the same service again to meet up with a relative.  The buses were extremely punctual again – even a couple of minutes early – and just as quick.  I left home at 10:12 and was inside Broadmead’s Costa at 10:58.

So, I can honestly recommend using and supporting this bus service if you are looking for a nice and easy day out.

Written January 2020

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Updated July 2020

We took Stagecoach’s No. 62 bus.
This No. 62 bus route is now operated by HCT Group but the route and timetable are mainly unchanged.

Best times leaving Berkeley:
Mon to Sat    10:22    12:22

Best return times leaving Bristol bus station:
Mon to Sat    12:10.   14:10    16:10    18:10

 

More details and timetables:-

No. 62 Bus:    – service still running during Covid-19
Dursley to Bristol
via Berkeley Heath, Wanswell, Sharpness, Berkeley, Newport, Stone
Full timetables at Timetables for No. 62 Bus Dursley-Berkeley-Bristol
Run by HCT Group
tel 0117 941 3713

Water Bus:    – service suspended due to Covid-19
https://www.bristolferry.com/
tel 0117 927 3416

M2 Metrobus:    – some service resumed since Covid-19 suspension
https://metrobusbristol.co.uk/m2/
tel 0117 922 2910
M2 runs Mon-Sat (not bank hols)
every 20 minutes
from Broadmead B2 or Cabot Circus C2 to SS Great Britain