Food & Drink - Discover Essex for less
Discover Essex for less with the best food, drinks and restaurants for the ultimate foodie trip!
For our full list of up-to-date timetables to help plan your journey, click here. Alternatively, download the First Bus app to take advantage of features such as live tracking.
Giggling Squid (Chelmsford)
Thailand’s richnesss of natural ingredients from the land and sea and crafted by our expert Thai Chefs.
How to get there: Catch any services into Chelmsford City Centre.
More info: Giggling Squid - Thai Restaurant in Chelmsford for Eat-in & Takeaway
Mirra (Colchester)
A newly renovated restaurant in the heart of Colchester, Mirra boasts delicious Turkish cuisine, an exceptional variety of dishes, and artisan cocktails.
How to get there: Catch any services heading into Colchester High Street
More info: Colchester Restaurant - Mirra Restaurant (mirrarestaurantcolchester.co.uk)
Vita Bella (East Hanningfield)
Enjoy a spot of Italian lunch at the award-winning Vita Bella in East Hanningfield. Book ahead to avoid disappointment!
How to get there: Hop on service 3 (suitable for daytime meals, not evening meals)
More info: Italian restaurant | Vita Bella (Essex) Ltd (vita-bella.co.uk)
The Wine Cellar Bar & Bistro (Chelmsford)
An independent restaurant and bar, serving an array of hand picked wines for every palate. The chef combines the freshest ingredients with a passion for exquisite flavours in a contemporary approach to classic dishes.
How to get there: All Chelmsford services run to the nearby bus station.
More info: The Wine Cellar Chelmsford
Travel Alerts
Service 71 | Braintree Road, Witham | Road closure
A section of Braintree Road, Witham is closed for roadworks from Wednesday 20th November to Thursday 21st November 2024.
Due to the location of the roadworks - the 71 service will divert, in both directions, via the B1015 and will be unable to serve Witham Railway Station and Technology Centre.
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Service S9 | MULTIPLE roads - Old Heath & Rowhedge | OVERNIGHT road closures
The following roads will be closed for overnight roadworks from Wednesday 20th November to Thursday 21st November 2024:
- Old Heath Road
- Fingringhoe Road
- Rowhedge Road
The roads are to be closed from 20:15hrs 20/11/2024 to 06:00hrs 21/11/2024.
Due to the location of the road closures, the S9 service will be unable to access Rowhedge.
The S9 service will divert after serving Abbot's Rd bus stop via Abbot's Road, Mountbatten Drive and Abbot's Road. The service will be paused before recommencing at next scheduled departure, back to Colchester
Towards Rowhedge - the following bus stops will not be served:
- The Bell
- Rowhedge Road
- Battlesbrook Road
- Cleavelands
- Battleswick Farm
- Shipyard Corner
- Taylor's Road
- Heath Road Turn
- Rowhedge (Southbound)
- Rowhedge (Northbound)
- Heath Road Turn
Towards Colchester - the following bus stops will not be served:
- Heath Road Turn
- Taylor's Road
- Shipyard Corner
- Battleswick Farm
- Cleavelands
- Battlesbrook Road
- The Bell
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Services C1 & 13A/13B | Wood Street, Chelmsford | OVERNIGHT road closure
Wood Street, Chelmsford is closed for overnight roadworks from Thursday 21st November to Saturday 23rd November 2024.
The road will be closed from 20:00hrs each night and will re-open from 06:00hrs each morning:
- 20:00hrs 21/11/2024 to 06:00hrs 22/11/2024 Wood Street, Chelmsford closed
- 20:00hrs 22/11/2024 to 06:00hrs 23/11/2024 Wood Street, Chelmsford closed
- 20:00hrs 23/11/2024 to 06:00hrs 24/11/2024 Wood Street, Chelmsford closed
Due to the location of the road closure the C1 and 13A/13B services will be placed on diversion:
C1
The C1 service will divert in both directions via Princes Road, Baddow Road, Beehive Lane, Firecrest Road, Linnet Drive and Osprey Way.
The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:
- Wood Street Tesco
- Bruce Grove
- St John's Hospital
- Hylands Parade
- Linnet Drive
13A/13B
The 13A/13B services will divert in both directions via Princes Road, Baddow Road, Beehive Lane, Firecrest Road and Linnet Drive.
The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:
- Wood Street Tesco
- Bruce Grove
- St John's Hospital
- Hylands Parade
- Linnet Drive
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Services B1 & B2 | High Road, Laindon | OVERNIGHT road closures
Updated 14/11/2024 - The diversion route has been amended for the B1 service.
A section of High Road, Laindon is closed for overnight roadworks from Thursday 14th November to Thursday 21st November 2024.
The road will be closed to traffic from 20:00hrs and will re-open from 05:00hrs the next morning.
Due to the location of the road closure, the B1 and B2 services will be placed on diversion:
B1
Towards Fenton Way, Laindon
The B1 service will divert after serving Laindon Railway Station via Northumberland Avenue, Hatterill, High Road and West Mayne.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Police Station
- Wrexham Road
- Tillingham Green
- Rowenhall
- Fraser Close
- Menzies Avenue
- Hoover Drive
Towards Basildon
The B1 service will divert after serving Fenton Way bus stop via West Mayne, High Road, Laindon Link, Hatterill and Northumberland Avenue.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Hoover Drive
- Menzies Avenue
- Fraser Close
- Rowenhall
- Tillingham Green
- Wrexham Road
- Police Station
B2
The B2 service will divert, in both directions, via Hatterill, Station Approach, Northumberland Avenue and Hatterill. The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:
- Samuel Road
- The Triangle
- Shelsley Drive
- Westley Road
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Services 9 & 300 | Chapel Street, Billericay | EMERGENCY road closure
Chapel Street, Billericay is closed for emergency roadworks from Wednesday 13th November to Friday 22nd November 2024.
Due to the location of the road closure the 9 and 300 services will be placed on diversion:
9
Service 9 will divert, in both directions, via Stock Road, St. Andrews Drive, Norsey Road and Jacksons Lane.
The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:
- The Chequers
- Hillside Road
- Langemore Way
- Chapel Street
- Sun Corner
300
Service 300, toward Basildon only, will divert via High Street, Laindon Road (A176) and A176 before returning to normal line of route on Southend Road.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Hillside Road
- Chapel Street
- opp Weir Wynd
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Services 31/331/332, 73 & 75 | Mill Road, Maldon | EMERGENCY road closure
Updated 14/11/2024 - The diversion route has been amended for the 75 service.
Mill Road, Maldon will be closed for roadworks from Wednesday 13th November to Monday 25th November 2024.
Due to the location of the road closure - the 31, 331, 332, 73 and 75 services will be placed on diversion:
31, 331 and 332
*For passengers travelling to Maldon High Street - the closest bus stops will be: St Peter's Hospital and Cups Corner.*
The 31, 331 and 332 services will divert, in both directions, via Fambridge Road and Cross Road.
The following bus stops will not be served in both directions:
- All Saints Church
- The Swan Hotel
- Wantz Road
- Victoria Road
- Prom Gates
- Lower Plume School
- The White Horse
73
TO LOWER PLUME SCHOOL *For passengers travelling to Lower Plume School - the closest pick-up/drop-off point will be Cross Road East (SW-bound) bus stop*
The 73 service will divert via Fambridge Road, Limebrook Way and Mundon Road before returning to normal line of route on Cross Road. The following bus stops will not be served:
- Cross Road West (NE-bound)
- Cross Road East (NE-bound)
- o/s Lower Plume School
- opp Lower Plume School
75
Towards Maldon
*For passengers travelling to Maldon High Street - the closest drop-off point will be All Saints Church bus stop on High Street*
The 75 service will divert via High Street, Fambridge Road, Cross Road, Mundon Road and Park Drive.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- The Swan Hotel
- Wantz Road
- Victoria Road
- Prom Gates
- Lower Plume School
Towards Colchester
The 75 service will divert via Mill Road, Cross Road, Fambridge Road and High Street.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Victoria Road
- The Swan Hotel
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Services 37 & 351 | Brentwood Christmas Lights Switch On | EVENT
Brentwood Christmas Lights Switch On returns on Saturday 23rd November 2024.
Brentwood High Street will be closed to traffic from 07:00hrs to 21:00hrs.
Due to the location of the road closure, the 37 and 351 services will be placed on diversions:
Service 37
The 37 service will divert in both directions via William Hunter Way, Western Way and Weald Road. Passengers will be able to board/disembark the 37 service at bus stops located on William Hunter Way:
- Towards Warley: William Hunter Way
- Towards Pilgrims Hatch: Sainsburys
The following bus stops will not be served in both directions: Brentwood High Street and Crown Street.
Service 351
The 351 service will divert in both directions via Ongar Road, William Hunter Way, Western Way and Weald Road. Passengers will be able to board/disembark the 351 service at bus stops located on William Hunter Way:
- Towards Warley: William Hunter Way
- Towards Chelmsford: Sainsburys
The following bus stops will not be served in both directions: Brentwood High Street and Crown Street.
Seasons Greetings
Service 87 | Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea | Road closure
Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea is closed for roadworks from Monday 28th October to Friday 20th December 2024.
Due to the location of the road closure the 87 service will divert via Red Barn Road and Bell Green.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Regent Road
- Bellfield Avenue
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Service Changes from Sunday 3rd November 2024 - All Essex
From Sunday 3rd November 2024, we will be introducing changes to routes in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester.
Here are the key details:
BASILDON |
||
| Service | Journey | What’s changing? |
| 9 | Basildon to Brentwood | On arrival at Basildon, a number of journeys will continue as the 200 service. This provides a connection to Basildon Hospital. |
| 22 | Basildon to Canvey Island | Minor timetable change to afternoon peak journeys. |
| 25 | Basildon to Southend | Revisions to peak time journeys on Monday-Friday timetable and morning/late-afternoon journeys on Saturday timetable. |
| 100 | Basildon to Lakeside | Revisions to peak time journeys on Monday-Friday timetable and morning/late-afternoon journeys on Saturday timetable. |
| 200 | Basildon to Grays | Revisions to timetable for punctuality – On arrival at Basildon, a number of journeys will continue as the 9 service. |
| 300 | Basildon to Chelmsford | Retimed to improve punctuality throughout the day. |
| B2 | Basildon to Laindon | Minor revision to early evening journey on Saturday timetable. |
| B4 | Basildon to Pitsea | Minor changes to morning/afternoon peak journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. Minor change to early-morning and early-evening journeys on Saturday timetable. |
CHELMSFORD |
||
| Service | Journey | What’s changing? |
| 31/331/332 | Chelmsford to Burnham-on-Crouch | Minor changes to evening peak journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. Revised morning journey on Saturday timetable. |
| 37 | Warley to Bishops Hall Estate | Revised afternoon journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. |
| 42A | Chelmsford to Takeley/Bishops Stortford | Minor timetable change on Monday-Friday timetable – trip now terminates at Chelmsford Bus Station. |
| 70/170/370 | Chelmsford to Braintree | Minor timetable change to peak journeys on Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| 71/X71/371/372 | Chelmsford to Colchester | Minor timetable change on Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| 336 | Chelmsford to South Woodham Ferrers | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. No change to the Sunday and Public Holiday timetables. |
| 351 | Chelmsford to Warley | Revised Monday-Friday timetable. |
| C1 | Galleywood to Broomfield Hospital | Revised off-peak journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. Revised off-peak journeys Saturday timetable. |
| C2 | Chelmsford to Broomfield Hospital | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. No change to the Sunday and Public Holiday timetables. |
| C3 | Chelmsford to North Melbourne | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. No change to the Sunday and Public Holiday timetables. |
| C4 | Chelmsford to Oxney Green | Revised peak journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. |
| C5 | Chelmsford to Moulsham Lodge | Revised peak journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. |
| C7 | Chelmsford to Galleywood | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. No change to the Sunday and Public Holiday timetables. |
| C8 | Chelmsford to Beaulieu Park | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. No change to the Sunday and Public Holiday timetables. |
| C10 | Chelmsford to Channels | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. Revised Monday-Friday timetable. |
| C11 | Chelmsford to Springfield | Revised peak journeys on Monday-Friday timetable. First trip to depart later. |
COLCHESTER |
||
| Service | Journey | What’s changing? |
| 86 | Colchester to West Mersea | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| 87 | Horkesley Heath to Brightlingsea | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| 88/88A/88B | Colchester to Halstead | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| 320 | Colchester to Great Notley | Revised Monday-Friday timetable. There are no changes to the X20 service. |
| S1 | Highwoods to Wivenhoe | Minor changes to peak and early evening journeys. |
| S2 | Stanway to Highwoods | Minor changes to peak and early evening journeys. |
| S4 | Colchester to Greenstead | Revised Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| S5 | Colchester to Greenstead | Revised Saturday timetable - early/late journeys. |
| S6 | Colchester to Shrub End | Minor changes to Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| S7 | Colchester to St. Michaels | Minor changes to Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| S8 | Colchester to Monkwick | Minor changes to Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| S9 | Colchester to Rowhedge | Minor changes to Monday-Saturday timetable. |
| S10 | Colchester to Colchester Hospital | Minor changes to Monday-Saturday timetable. |
All NEW & REVISED timetables are available to view / download here: