The Extraordinary Story of Britain's Buses and Coaches
Dr Peter Robinson
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £150 plus travel expenses at 55p/mile for a journey of more than 10 miles.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 11th July 2026
- Tagged:
- Buses | Coaches | National Express | Omnibus
Every day, millions of people board a bus or coach without giving much thought to the remarkable story behind the journey. Yet Britain's road passenger transport network is one of the greatest social and technological success stories of the modern age. From horse-drawn omnibuses rattling through Victorian streets to today's luxury touring coaches and low-emission buses, these vehicles have shaped our towns, cities, countryside and everyday lives.
This engaging and richly illustrated talk charts over 200 years of transport history, exploring how buses and coaches revolutionised work, leisure and tourism. Along the way we meet pioneering entrepreneurs, innovative engineers, visionary municipal leaders and colourful transport operators who built an industry that became part of the fabric of British life.
More than a history of vehicles, this is the story of the people who travelled on them. Discover how buses allowed workers to commute from expanding suburbs, enabled families to enjoy their first seaside holidays, carried generations of children to school, and became an essential part of community life. Explore the golden age of coach holidays, the rise of famous national operators, and the enduring appeal of Britain's coaching industry.
Drawing on Peter Robinson's extensive research, published books and rare historic photographs, this talk combines transport history with social history, revealing how Britain's buses and coaches helped create the nation we know today.
Views: 16 | Enquiries: 0About Dr Peter Robinson
Peter is Head of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University. Peter’s expertise covers visitor attractions, transport operations, heritage, visitor experience, tourism landscapes, urban and rural regeneration and placemaking, business development and Cold War tourism. In 2021 Peter was Awarded the Victor Middleton Prize for Education and Scholarship by the Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE).
He is also an award-winning author and has published both academic books and peer-reviewed journals, as well as books covering a range of transport, tourism and landscape histories. He is also a features writer for a number of publications and has appeared on several television and radio programmes discussing the travel and tourism industry. Peter has been involved with policy work with DCMS, the Department for Education, the Department for Transport and VisitBritain. Peter owns a consultancy business that delivers work for organisations across multiple industry sectors worldwide. He has owned businesses in photography, travel, ICT, waste management, and publishing, and owns a toy and collectables retailer - Midland Models.
Peter is a Fellow of the Tourism Management Institute and the Yorkshire and Humber representative, a Fellow of the Tourism Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is Co-Chair of The Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE), a Director of The Institute of Travel and Tourism and he represents ATHE on the Tourism Society Board. He is Chair of the Tourism Consultants Network and is also part of the ABTA Working Group on skills and qualifications. Peter is regularly invited to speak at conferences about education policy, placemaking and heritage management. He is Chair and Founding Director of The Cold War network, Chair of The Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust and a Trustee for the 131st Derby Scouts.
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