ABOUT  US 

Cumbria Classic Coaches.

We started Cumbria Classic Coaches mid summer 1998, with a 1934 Leyland Lion. However, the first coach we bought was a 1949 Commer Commando with a Scottish Aviation body, this coach is being restored at the moment and you can follow it's progress by following the link to it's page. We have since acquired a considerable fleet (in vintage terms)! When we started with the Leyland Lion we soon realised we would need a back up vehicle so we bought our first Leyland Tiger CWG 286, this came from the opposite end of the country from the Lion which came from Aberdeen, we had to traipse practically to Lands End for the Tiger. One thing leads to another and with the start of the Kendal Klipper service we needed another back up bus and so bought our other Leyland Tiger CRN 80, we were really angling for the bus Will owned first. Of course more buses means you take more work so soon we had need of another so we borrowed a Bristol L5G from Steve Morriss and also started working with Malcolm Hodgson and his Bristol Lodekka. After a couple of years Steve wanted his bus back and we wanted to buy a coach but could find nothing on the market until we heard that Stefan Torres was selling his vintage fleet...so we bought it. Two AEC half cabs, two Guys and a Commer! We didn't need them all so sold on one of the AEC's, the York Pullman to David Bowman of Carlisle. Unfortunately the Guy Warrior was not quite what the public looked for as well so that went. We ran the Commer for a couple of seasons but it really didn't book out, being flat fronted didn't make it stand out enough despite an absolutely fabulous interior. 

So we had the core fleet of 5 single deckers but the Leyland Lion wasn't standing up to being used regularily the running gear just wasn't up to it so we sold that and it currently resides at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust. Then Malcolm announced his desire to sell the Bristol Lodekka as his back wasn't up to the heavy steering and we had bookings for it for the next couple of years....so we bought that and most recently the sucess of the 572 service has means we have to take a double decker from Easter to November and occasionally have had even more than a decker full so along with Gordon Harris our long suffering help we got another decker. So thats it for a while hopefully, anyway we are busy stocking up on cars now...!

Our heritage services have expanded to include 3 weekly routes see the routes page for more details. However the majority of our work is private hire for weddings, birthdays, festivals and even the odd pub crawl! 

All of our vehicles work hard as full Public Service Vehicles and are maintained as such - this can cause some headaches as the parts are not always readily available. We are amazed at the stocks that some people keep. Ever tried to find a head gasket or brake seal kit for a 1934 Leyland Lion? Well we have!

Cumbria Classic Coaches depot is at Bowber Head, a 16th century farmstead in the heart of Eden where you can indulge a love of buses and a love of the countryside and stay in our cosy Bed and Breakfast! 

Bowber Head lies below the rising slopes of the Howgill Fells, west of the road connecting Kirkby Stephen in the north and Sedbergh in the south and separating the Howgills from Wild Boar fell. These little known hills and moors are a delight to explore. They are crossed by public paths giving access to remote fell side, where your only companions are likely to be free roaming ponies, sheep and grouse.

One and a half miles away is the attractive village of Ravenstonedale.

Where are we? Click here for a map of the area.  You can zoom in and out of the map by changing the map scale below the image.

Within a few miles there are opportunities for walking, cycling, fishing, riding, bowling and much more. There are guided walks and cycle rides, superb circular drives, all on the doorstep. We are in an ideal central position for exploring the Lakes and Dales National Parks and the whole of the North of England.

The people.

Will Hamer  has always had a passion for commercial vehicles and especially old lorries, buses and coaches. He owned a 1947 Leyland Tiger with Plaxton body from 1976 to 1980, but storage and vandalism problems forced him to sell it. Now life has changed and he has the time and space to turn his hobby into a business. Claire Hamer keeps the house and home, as well as some very impressive typing skills and a degree in Tourism, she can cook a delicious breakfast!

Anthony Hamer Is the best driver amongst us with both a PSV and a HGV there's nothing he cannot handle. As if to prove this, he once owned an AEC Militant, tank recovery vehicle. His hobbies include holidaying round europe on his BMW touring bike and inventing. He also has skills in the garage and tackles all the bodywork.

Alison Morriss (nee Hamer) Alison is the brains behind the operation, as well as designing the website and brochures, managing accounts and staff she also drives the buses. Another sideline is a signwriting company operated with her husband Steve (yes, another Steve Morriss!). Oh and they have 2 kids.