The UK has many areas of stunning natural beauty, from the breath-taking Yorkshire Moors to the rolling South Downs.
Arguably there is no better way to view than - hot air balloon aside - from the comfortable seat of a bus, safe in the knowledge you're taking part in society and choosing a low emissions form of transport.
The joy of meandering along the country's hedge lined roads or past its dramatic coastline is made even more sweeter when it's free.
Once you've hit the age of 60 in the UK you can apply for a free bus pass, allowing you to travel to your heart's content for exactly zero pounds.
To celebrate the happy fact, over 50s financial services company SunLife has commissioned some research into the most scenic bus routes the country has to offer, based on search results and Instagram posts.
In first place is the Coastliner 840 provided by Transdev Bus Company, which is known for its impressive panoramic views along it’s route from Leeds via York through to Whitby.
Not only does it link up two of the UK's finest yet most drastically different cities, it takes riders across the beautiful Yorkshire Moors to a stretch of coast mired in gothic charm as the found home of Count Dracula.
Some of the most popular sights to look out for on the way include Tadcaster, the home to Yorkshire's oldest brewery where beer is still delivered by horse drawn cart, and the charming market town of Malton.
This bus route runs every day and roughly every hour throughout the year.
In North Yorkshire, you can use your concessionary pass after 9am, Monday to Friday, and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
It’s closely followed by Brighton and Hove’s Coaster 12 and 12A, which runs along the Seven Sisters cliffs.
Anyone who has been along the route will know quite how stunning the Sussex coast can be, and why painter Eric Ravilious became so obsessed with capturing the majestic South Downs.
Theis bus route runs every day, every 10 minutes throughout the entire year, and it’s free to travel with an older person’s bus pass issued in England, from 9.30am to 11pm.
There are no time restrictions for any passes at weekends and on bank holidays.
In third place is the Clyde Flyer 901-906 by bus company McGills, which runs direct from Glasgow through to the seaside town of Largs, on the west coast of Scotland.
The perfect route to explore the beautiful coastline along the River Clyde, the buses run up to every 15 minutes, every day throughout the entire year.
If your older person’s bus pass is issued in Scotland, you can travel for free on all journeys on the Clyde Flyer.
The top 10 most scenic bus routes in the UK
We take a look at the best scenic routes - including the buses that serve them and the companies that operate them!
Coastliner 840 (Transdev Bus) - Leeds & York to Whitby
Coaster 12 and 12A (Brighton and Hove) - Brighton to Newhaven & Eastbourne via Seven Sisters
Clyde Flyer 901- 906 (McGills) - Glasgow to Greenock & Largs
Toon Tour (Go North East) - Newcastle & Gateshead
Route 36 (The Harrogate Bus Company) - Leeds to Harrogate & Ripon
Route X46/X47 (East Yorkshire) - Hull to Pocklington & York
Bluestar 1 (BlueStar) - Winchester to Chandlers Ford & Southampton
Lakes Connection 555 (Stagecoach in Cumbria) - Lancaster to Kendal & Keswick
Bluestar 6 (Bluestar) - Southampton to Lymington
Route 69 (Stagecoach South) - Winchester to Bishops Waltham & Fareham
Do you agree with the rankings? Let us know your favourite bus route in the comments below.
