It travels through some of the most stunning countryside in the south east
The Surrey Hills don’t disappoint(Image: Getty Images)
London’s bus network is chock-full of peculiarities, but one route stands out for being more Surrey than London – the 465.
Despite its Oyster card reader and iconic red colour, this route delves deep into the Surrey countryside, traversing the entire town of Leatherhead before terminating in Dorking, a staggering 21 miles from Charing Cross.
The 465 was launched in 1991 as a non-London route running across Surrey from Horsham to Leatherhead, dipping into London near Chessington.
It also meanders through the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, passing by the village of Mickleham, one of the most sought-after places to live in the country.
The 465 goes past some of the prettiest countryside in the south east(Image: Nick MacNeill / CC)
A few years back, a petition was initiated to save the 465 when it was under threat.
Adding to the confusion, other local buses and the train line along the route don’t accept Oyster cards. While other parts of Surrey do have London buses, none venture as far as the 465.
Mickleham is well worth a visit, and you can get there on the bus(Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the capital, bus route 84 operates more frequently and boasts full London red double-decker buses, but doesn’t extend as far out of London (its northern terminus of St Albans is only 19 miles from London) and no longer accepts Oyster cards or Travelcards, making it no longer part of the London bus network.
It’s a baffling move considering the bus route runs directly past the London bus garage in Potters Bar and is the only lifeline for certain parts of the London borough of Barnet.
In contrast, the 465 is the sole service on a single, rarely-used road in London.
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