A new bus route from Darlington which has been hailed as 'one of the most scenic bus rides in England' has launched to passengers. 

On Sunday (May 5), the first passengers travelled on the DalesBus service from Darlington to the Yorkshire Dales.

This addition is part of the existing Summer Sunday DalesBus service from the Tees Valley area to the Yorkshire Dales, which saw journeys go from Darlington, Richmond and Catterick Camp to Wensleydale, Hawes and Ribblehead.

After the launch, the buses will now run every from May 5 until October 20.

The existing Northern DalesBus 831 will run from Middlesbrough (departing 9.30am), Stockton (9.42am) and Darlington (10.10am) to Richmond before travelling up Swaledale, visiting the villages of Grinton, Reeth, Gunnerside and Muker, and crossing the spectacular Buttertubs Pass to Hawes, home to the Dales Countryside Museum and Wensleydale Creamery. 

After a short break, there’s an opportunity to catch DalesBus 832 to Ribblehead, Ingleton or Kirkby Lonsdale. 

These buses also run on Bank Holiday Mondays.

The return bus departs Kirkby Lonsdale at 3.30pm arriving back in Hawes at 4.25pm.

The bus continues from Hawes at 4.40pm for the return journey on Northern DalesBus 831 arriving in Richmond around 5.57pm, Darlington at 6.25pm and Middlesbrough at 7.05pm.

And, now launched, the Northern DalesBus 858 will provide access to Wensleydale and the Three Peaks area every Sunday, leaving Darlington at 8.30am, Richmond at 9.05am, and Catterick Camp at 9.13am, running to Redmire, Carperby, Askrigg, Bainbridge, Hawes and Ribblehead Station. 

The return bus then leaves Ribblehead at 6.55pm and Hawes at 7.15pm.

A spokesperson for Arriva North East said: "This is probably one of the most scenic bus rides in England with unspoilt wilderness, wildflower meadows, heather moorland, caves and waterfalls, limestone scenery, long-distance footpaths, classic views of the Three Peaks and Ribblehead Viaduct, with shops, cafes and pubs dotted along the route - there is something for everyone to see and do."

The current national fare cap on bus fares applies to all these services, so each single journey costs just £2  (£1 for under 19s).