Imber Bus Day - merged topics, ongoing events and discussion here

[whole diary]

[Oxonhutch]

1967?

[Clan Line]

I want that bus's numberplate.

My initials and my day of birth.

The bus spent much of its life in Swindon, hence the "local" number plate.

[infoman]

Imber is open for business for the next four days starting 29 December.

https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/imber-open-days-p2531933

[ChrisB]

From the St Giles Church, Imber newsletter -

PLEASE NOTE
We have been made aware of other web sites posting the Open Days and Events for St Giles Church and getting dates and timings wrong.  We are the only ones who negotiate directly with the Ministry of Defence to arrange Open Days and other events.  The Dates shown here are the only ones that should be regarded as Definitive.
https://www.imberchurch.org.uk/

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you for your updates here, infoman and ChrisB.

Also to note, from the St Giles Church Imber website:

Please Note:  We only accept Cash for purchases in St Giles.  There are no facilities for Card Payments.

On church open days there is a wide range of Imber-related merchandise on sale, from local honey, fridge magnets, key-rings, post-cards, mugs and shopping bags. 

Please Note:  There are no bus services to Imber on normal Open Days or for any events.  Buses only run on Imberbus Day

[Clan Line]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kppzkk7gyo

[ChrisB]

The date is set for Imberbus 2026 !

Posted on 1 January 2026
We are pleased to start 2026 by announcing that this year, we are planning to run the Imberbus service on

Saturday 15th August 2026

when several vintage former London Transport Routemaster double deckers (plus a few newer ones) along with some visiting buses from other areas, will again provide a bus service from Warminster Station to Imber and other isolated locations on the Salisbury Plain between 10am and 6pm.

Once again our event will be a Car Free Day, with the only access to Imber on 15th August being on the buses operating the Imberbus service. These special arrangements help to keep traffic congestion around Imber village to a minimum, but they do mean that there are some restrictions on what you can and cannot do when you get there, details of which will be confirmed during the summer.

IMG_1116-001 (1568 x 1045)The timetable for this year’s service will also be published during the summer and is expected to be very similar to the one used in 2025.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I have added the event to our Coffee Shop forum calendar.  CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum). 

[grahame]

From Wilson Auctions

Legendary 1960s London Routemaster Buses Go Under The Hammer!

Wilsons Auctions is set to deliver a rare and historic opportunity as five authentic 1960s AEC ...

[ChrisB]

My understanding is that one can do this in your own vehicle on any other open day at Imber other than the Imber Bus day

[grahame]

My understanding is that one can do this in your own vehicle on any other open day at Imber other than the Imber Bus day

You are correct.  A "fun" headline that might have confused ...

[grahame]

Not Imber - but London

T15 HERITAGE WEEKEND (Sat 28th Feb / Sun 01 March)

SATURDAY

Buses operating upto every 15 minutes between Trafalgar Square & Tower Hill from 10:00 to 20:00hrs with standard fares & day tickets being charged - to include guest buses RTL453, RMC1513, RM1933 & evening guest appearance of MagicBus London RM2681.

SUNDAY

Charity day with buses operating upto every 10 minutes between Westminster Stn / Parliament Square & Tower Hill with over 15 buses already scheduled. First buses 09:25 from Parliament Sq & 10:00 from Tower Hill, with last buses around 17:00.

Donations being collected by the Worshipful Company of Carmen.

[rogerw]

Just to bump this up. A reminder that this year's event is this coming Saturday, 15th August

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you for posting that very timely reminder here, rogerw.

This time, I have every intention of actually attending that event: am I likely to meet any other Coffee Shop forum members - and indeed guest readers - there?

CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum). 

[grahame]

Thank you for posting that very timely reminder here, rogerw.

This time, I have every intention of actually attending that event: am I likely to meet any other Coffee Shop forum members - and indeed guest readers - there?

CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum). 

Yes - but not with a Warminster start:

Local residents will also be able to to travel to Imber from Chitterne, Tilshead and the Lavingtons by paying the conductor in cash on the bus.

I can see no definition of "local residents" but in past years anyone has been able to join at Lavingon and I'm pretty sure that's how I will join this year, even though no longer a resident of East Lavington (a.k.a. Easteron). No 272 bus from across the road from us into Devizes, then 3A, 3X, 2 or X2 to Market Lavington or West Lavington.  Saves the early queues at Warminster.