The Magic of Christmas in the rarity of a Routemaster

London's Christmas lights tour for forty on board a red Routemaster bus

Bring your festive cheer and climb aboard this classic London bus from Victoria with up to 40 of your dearest and nearest. Enjoy an exclusive 2 – 3 hour tour of the celebrated London lights in the run up to Christmas 2020. And if current social distancing necessitates, a second classic red RT bus – elder brother to the Routemaster - will be provided.

Trawl up Oxford Street, meander down Bond Street, pootle along Piccadilly, feel right royal on Regent Street and stare at the Strand as you enjoy the best of company and share the delights of the festive season with your guests in the warm and cosy interior of a beautifully restored and maintained Routemaster.

The bus is privately owned, and the tour is not commercially available, but has been developed bespoke over the years by a transport specialist, with expert knowledge of the London lights, for his family and friends. The Routemaster offers a wonderful vantage point to see the full panoply of Christmas lights in the West End and beyond. It is a tour that your driver knows uniquely well, and Bob, your amiable, erudite and overly qualified conductor revels in. Bob says: I love having the opportunity to give this special tour on this amazing vehicle. I know the terrain so well, but it happens so rarely. I recall the last time we did it there were 15 kids running riot upstairs, and 15 adults slowly getting legless on the lower deck. A very merry time was had by all as we passed so many of London’s amazing sights and got an eye full of the illuminations. There is no other Christmas special like it.

The first Routemaster came into service in 1956, and quickly endeared itself to Londoners, becoming a friend and trusted companion to commuters, residents and visitors alike. It was prized for its reliability, its generous curves, and easy access via its hop-on hop-off back platform. The last to be built was in 1968. When it was taken out of service in 2005 its passing was widely mourned by passengers and public alike who took pride in its reassuring presence on London’s streets. Flashy imitators have come along since, but nothing can beat riding the original, which has been voted one of Britain’s top ten design icons beside the Spitfire, Concorde and the Mini.

Donated by Wint and Jacky Taylor.

Terms & Conditions:
To be taken by the highest bidder before Christmas in December 2020
For up to 40 passengers
Dates by mutual agreement and subject to availability
No pets
Not transferable