The iconic South Notts bus service will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special weekend of events on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, 2026, raising funds for charity. Organised by Nottingham City Transport (NCT) alongside local preservation groups, the centenary will feature a cavalcade of beautifully preserved vintage vehicles retracing the traditional Nottingham to Loughborough route and passing the landmark former Gotham Garage.
Charity Fundraising and Commemorative Booklet
The weekend will raise vital funds for NCT’s Charity of the Year, When You Wish Upon a Star, through the sale of a special commemorative booklet. Profits from the booklet will be donated to the charity, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Vintage Bus Cavalcade on Saturday, July 18
The cavalcade will depart from Nottingham’s Beastmarket Hill at 09:25, calling at Gotham at 10:00, East Leake at 10:10, and arriving in Loughborough at 10:31. Buses will then depart Loughborough’s Baxter Gate at 10:44, returning to Nottingham via East Leake and Gotham. Additional runs include a photo opportunity at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre in Ruddington from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, and a final journey operating the former South Notts route 68 to Clifton Estate via Wilford Lane. The vehicles will not provide public rides but will offer photo opportunities along the route.
Confirmed Vehicles
- Leyland Lowlander SN82: Arrived at South Notts in September 1963, one of only five Lowlanders in the fleet. It operated on the main road route for a decade before retiring in the early 1980s. Restored by volunteers from The North Kent Vehicle Preservation Group, it returned to Gotham in 2021 after 20 years.
- Leyland Royal Tiger SN64: A 1957 coach with a Duple Roadmaster body, second-hand from Jackson of Castle Bromwich. Withdrawn in 1969, it served the Gotham branch of The Royal British Legion before being restored by The Walsh Brothers and later acquired by James Baile, who will drive it in the cavalcade.
- ADL E400 641: A commemorative centenary liveried bus from NCT, painted in traditional South Notts livery and unveiled 100 years to the day of the first South Notts bus. It operates on the Nottingham to Loughborough route.
- Barton Transport bus: The Nottingham Area Bus Society will join with an appropriately aged Barton’s bus to recognise Barton Transport’s early involvement with South Notts.
Sunday Open Day at Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity
On Sunday, July 19, the Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity in Hucknall will host an Open Day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, featuring former South Notts vehicles on display, including SN82 and NCT 641. The charity is currently preserving the former South Notts bus “80,” which recently moved to Loughborough for mechanical restoration. The venue is located at Portland Road, Hucknall, NG15 7SF.
Commemorative Booklet
A commemorative booklet celebrating a centenary of South Notts will be available for purchase, with all profits donated to When You Wish Upon a Star.
Quotes from Organisers
Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT head of marketing and projects, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating a centenary of South Notts with a special weekend in July. The return of preserved South Notts vehicles to the area operating along a route that’s been a key service for a century will be a real treat to enjoy. We pass our thanks to all parties who are supporting the celebrations on what is going to be a truly memorable weekend.”
