*UPDATED 1st May 2022*
Not many bus routes can truly be described as epic, but First X53-X54 definitely can. They run along most of the Jurassic Coast. Few bus routes have as much to offer as this. There is so much to see, so let's get cracking! Click here to discover other bus routes across the South West. Please note that it used to be just one route throughout, but now it's been split into two and no longer runs west of Axminster (it used to run to Exeter).
Poole
Our starting point is the junior partner in the Bournemouth/Poole conurbation. There's lots to do in Poole, including a visit to Compton Acres, beautiful gardens a short ride on More 60 away.
Or right in the heart of the town is Poole Museum. Back at the bus station, the X54 departs from stand J.
Poole Tourism
Poole Railway Station
Dolphin Shopping Centre
Wareham
Wareham is the birthplace of David Mellor and appropriately situated on the River Piddle. The X54 in both directions stops on this roundabout right next to the railway station:
The X54 stops on North Street in the town centre:
Visit Wareham
Binnegar
This tiny hamlet is another access point for the Hardy Way (see above). Use the stops at Middlefield eastbound and westbound.
Wool
Just outside Wool is Monkey World, which you could easily spend a whole day looking round. The X54 stops at Wool railway station from where you are a 1.5 mile taxi ride from the park.
Visit Wool
Long Distance Footpath: The Hardy Way
Lulworth Cove
The X54 stops in the entrance to the main car park, just a short walk from the cove itself...
Long Distance Footpath: The Hardy Way
Long Distance Footpath: South West Coast Path
Just a bit further, at Durdle Door, the X54 stops at the park entrance:
Visit Durdle Door
Owermoigne
This village is another access point for the Hardy Way footpath. Use the Kit Lane stop towards Poole and the Gallows Hill stop towards Weymouth.
Poxwell
The same goes for Poxwell. Use the stops at Warmwell Poxwell towards Poole and towards Weymouth.
Osmington
This village gives access to two long distance footpaths: The South Dorset Ridgeway and the South West Coast Path. Use the eastbound and westbound stops at Chapel Lane.
Preston
Use the eastbound and westbound stops at The Spice Ship for the Hardy Way.
Weymouth
Host of sailing events at the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, beautiful Weymouth is probably the most charming seaside resort that is within day trip distance of London.
Dorset v Spain: It's a tough call.
Weymouth's attractions include not one but two beaches, plus Nothe Fort which used to guard Weymouth's harbour and Sandworld, an exhibition of amazingly created sand sculptures. If staying the night in Weymouth, then I can highly recommend The George Hotel, a converted Victorian vicarage run by a very friendly and helpful mother and son.
Most buses in Weymouth stop at one of the stops surrounding the King's Statue on the waterfront. To travel westbound on the X53, use stop K6, or stop K5 to go eastbound on the X54.
Love Weymouth
Visit Weymouth
Long Distance Footpath: South West Coast Path
Long Distance Footpath: The Hardy Way
Portesham
This village gives access to the Hardy Way. Use the Kings Arms westbound and eastbound.
Abbotsbury
Abbotsbury is known for its Subtropical Gardens and Swannery. Here's where the X53 stops, a short walk from the attractions by the Ilchester Arms:
Long Distance Footpath: The Hardy Way
Long Distance Footpath: South West Coast Path
Long Distance Footpath: The Macmillan Way
Burton Bradstock
The main stop for eastbound buses is The Anchor Inn and for westbound buses The Three Horseshoes.
National Trust Burton Bradstock
Long Distance Footpath: The Hardy Way
Long Distance Footpath: South West Coast Path
Bridport
Best known for Broadchurch, rope and nets (as in goal or tennis nets), Bridport is worth stopping off at to see Palmers, the UK's only thatched brewery. The X53 in both directions stops at the bus station:
The X53 also passes through nearby West Bay, where you can find Sladers Yard art gallery.
Visit Bridport
Long Distance Footpath: The Hardy Way
Long Distance Footpath: Monarch's Way
Chideock
Visit Chideock
Morecombelake
In this small village, the bus stops outside Moores Biscuit Bakery, home of the Dorset Knob.
Charmouth
The Heritage Coast Centre is a definite highlight of Charmouth. Buses stop at St Andrew's Church eastbound and westbound.
Long Distance Footpath: South West Coast Path
Long Distance Footpath: Monarch's Way
Lyme Regis
Legendary Lyme Regis is the fossil capital of the UK. The Lyme Regis Museum will tell you all about the local area. Don't miss Town Mill, a working water mill brimming with history and great food.
The westbound X53 stops here at The Square:
Eastbound buses stop just up the hill outside the Co-op:
Welcome to Lyme Regis
Visit Lyme Regis
Long Distance Footpath: South West Coast Path
Long Distance Footpath: Wessex Ridgeway
Long Distance Footpath: Liberty Trail
Long Distance Footpath: East Devon Way
Uplyme
Another access point for the East Devon Way is here. Use the bus stops at the Talbot Arms for buses towards Axminster or Weymouth.
Axminster
The X53 starts from the forecourt of Axminster Railway Station:
Visit Axminster
Times
You can find the full timetable for the X53/X54 at the following locations:
- First's website
- Traveline (includes full stop listing)
- Bus Times X53/X54 (includes full stop listing)
Here are the links to the live scheduled departure lists for major stops heading towards Axminster:
- Poole Bus Station, stand J
- Wareham Railway Station
- Weymouth, King's Statue, stop K6
- Bridport Bus Station
- Lyme Regis, The Square
...and back towards Poole:
- Axminster Railway Station
- Lyme Regis, Co-Operative
- Bridport Bus Station
- Weymouth, King's Statue, stop K5
- Wareham Railway Station
Connections
From Poole Bus Station, major destinations and routes with More are Blandford X8, Bournemouth M1/M2, Sandbanks 60.
The X54 stops near Poole Railway Station, which is on the main line to Bournemouth, Southampton, Basingstoke and London Waterloo. Click for live departures, departure list, fares.
Wareham Railway Station is also served by the X54. Click for live departures, departure list, fares.
Change here also for the More 40 bus to Corfe Castle and Swanage.
Change at Wool Railway Station for trains: live departures, departure list, fares.
At Weymouth, King's Statue, you can catch the following connecting buses operated by First: 10 to Dorchester, 1 to Portland.
Nearby, Weymouth Railway Station has direct trains back to Poole and on to Southampton and London Waterloo plus heading north to Bath and Bristol. Click for live departures, departure list, fares.
From Lyme Regis, you can connect with Stagecoach 9A to Seaton & Exeter
Axminster Railway Station has direct trains between London Waterloo and Exeter. Click for live departures, departure list, fares. It also has buses on Stagecoach 4 to Honiton & Exeter and First 30 to Taunton.
Fares
The cheapest ticket which is valid throughout route X53/X54 is the FirstDay Jurassic Coaster at £12. It's also valid on all connecting services operated by First.
If connecting to or from buses operated by More/Damory or Stagecoach, check their websites for ticket details.
Alternatives
Parts of the X53/X54's route can be covered by other bus routes or even by train. Here's a summary of the routes:
- Poole-Wareham-Wool-Weymouth: South Western Railway.
- Poole-Wareham: More 40
- Weymouth-Bridport-Axminster : First X51 (taking a different route to the X53 between Weymouth and Bridport)
All of the information in this post is correct at the time of writing, but please check the relevant links before travelling.
dose the x53 have toilets or dose it stop anywhere for a toilet break ?
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