On Sunday 9 August 2026, The BIG Bus Show returned to Stonham Barns Park for its fifth event.
The result surpassed everything that had come before.
The final attendance comprised 161 vehicle entries and more than 2,500 visitors, creating the largest BIG Bus Show staged to date.
The numbers tell only part of the story.
Walking through the display was effectively walking through the development of the bus and coach industry.
It wasn't simply a preservation rally, nor was it simply an industry show. It was both.
85+ YEARS OF TRANSPORT IN ONE FIELD
Few exhibits illustrated the breadth of the 2026 event better than its oldest and newest vehicles.
AJN 825, dating from 1939, represented the pre-war era with its Bristol K5G chassis and Eastern Coachworks bodywork double decker.
At the opposite end of the spectrum stood brand-new 2026 coaches including YN26 VZK, a Scania Higer Touring entered by Galloway.
More than 85 years of vehicle development separated them.
And the decades in between were equally well represented.
The entry list included multiple AEC Routemasters, Bristol REs and VRTs, Bedford VALs, Leyland Nationals, Tigers and Olympians, Volvo B10Ms and B7TLs, Dennis Darts and Tridents and successive generations of Alexander Dennis Enviro vehicles.
More recent technology was represented too, with vehicles including Yutong's U11DD and E12 alongside contemporary coaches from Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Van Hool, DAF/Irizar, Scania and others.
Support from the bus and coach industry has continued to grow alongside The BIG Bus Show, with 2026 marking another major step forward. First Bus has been a fantastic supporter of the event since 2023, regularly bringing an impressive selection of vehicles and helping showcase both the heritage and future of the industry.
For 2026, that operator support effectively doubled in strength, with Central Connect / Transport Made Simple also supporting the show in a major way. The company sent an extensive selection of vehicles from its operations in Braintree, Clacton, Dereham and Diss, adding even greater variety to the record-breaking display.
Having two major operators supporting the event so strongly is hugely appreciated and demonstrates how The BIG Bus Show has grown from a traditional enthusiast gathering into an event where preservation and the modern operating industry come together. We would like to thank both First Bus and Central Connect / Transport Made Simple, along with every operator that attended in 2026, for their continued enthusiasm and support.
A huge congratulations to all of our 2026 award winners and runners-up!
With 160 fantastic vehicle entries at this year's show, choosing the winners was certainly no easy task. The standard of vehicles on display was exceptional, and we'd like to thank every operator and owner who took the time and effort to bring their vehicle along.
🚌 COMPANY COACH
🥇 First Prize: DN26 DON – Van Hool TDX27 Astromega Dons of Dunmow
🥈 Runner-Up: X30 PTS – Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Wright Coaches
🚌 COMPANY DECKER
🥇 First Prize: SN75 YVX – ADL E40D Enviro400 MMC Ipswich Buses
🥈 Runner-Up: CS72 BUS – ADL E40D Enviro400 MMC Coach Services Ltd
🚌 COMPANY SINGLE
🥇 First Prize: YW25 FNJ – ADL E20D Enviro200 MMC Stephenson's of Essex
🥈 Runner-Up: BU75 WNF – Volvo B8R MCV Evora Charlise Executive Travel
🚌 PRESERVED COACH
🥇 First Prize: AFJ 86B – AEC Reliance / Harrington Greenslades & Grey
🥈 Runner-Up: W645 FUM – Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere 350 National Holidays
🚌 PRESERVED DECKER
🥇 First Prize: HPW 133 – Bristol K5G / ECW Eastern Counties
🥈 Runner-Up: G864 XDX – Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL Chambers
🚌 PRESERVED SINGLE
🥇 First Prize: UFM 53F – Bristol RE / Eastern Coachworks Crosville
🥈 Runner-Up: BXI 2565 – Bristol RELL / Alexander Belfast Ulsterbus
🏆 SHOWSTOPPER AWARD In Memory of Roy Stretton: CUT 465 Bedford OWB / Duple Vista Dews Coaches
A very special award and a fitting winner of our 2026 Showstopper Award.
👨👨👧👦 VISITORS' CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Tony Freeman: AD26 SAN Yutong GT14 Tri-Axle Sanders Coaches
Chosen by the people who attended the show, the Visitors' Choice Award is always particularly special.
💡 Operator Spotlight: First Bus Norfolk, Suffolk & Essex
for supporting The BIG Bus Show since 2023 with 15+ vehicles attending each year.
This year's award was presented in memory of Andrew Brown, making it an especially meaningful part of the day.
1939 AJN 825 Bristol K5G Eastern Coachworks Westcliff on sea
1944 CUT 465 Bedford OWB Duple Vista Dews Coaches
1947 GBJ 192 AEC Regent II Eastern Coachworks Lowestoft Corporation
1949 HPW 133 Bristol K5G / ECW Eastern Counties / Red & Cream
1952 LYF 464 AEC Regal IV Metro Cammel RF London Transport
1959 UHJ 842 Bedford C4Z2 Duple Super Vista Towler's
1961 WLT 857 AEC Routemaster Park Royal London Transport
1962 204 UXJ AEC Routemaster Park Royal London Transport
1964 AFJ 86B AEC Reliance Harrington Greenslades & Grey
1965 CUV 180C AEC Routemaster Park Royal London Transport
1965 HLP 10C AEC Reliance Harrington Preimer Travel
1966 HAC 628D Leyland Leopard Marshall Stratford Blue
1966 JJD 401D AEC Routemaster Park Royal Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire
1966 JJD419D AEC Routemaster Park Royal London Transport
1967 JAX117E Bristol MW Eastern Coachworks Red and White
1967 LDV467F Bristol RELH6G Eastern Coachworks Western White
1968 UFM 53F Bristol RE Eastern Coachworks Crosville
1969 FWC439H Bristol RELH6G Eastern Coachworks Eastern National O.C. (Tilling)
1969 OTA640G Bristol RELH Eastern Coachworks Royal Blue
1969 OTA645G Bristol RELH Eastern Coachworks Midland Red
1970 SFR 127J AEC Reliance 6MU4R Plaxton Supreme Abbott's Blackpool
1970 SNT 925H Bedford VAL Paxton Panorama Elite Sanders Coaches
1972 GTL 227K Bedford VAL Paxton Panorama Elite Youngs Coaches
1973 UFX 360L Bedford VAL Paxton Panorama Elite Dews Coaches
1973 WEX 685M AEC Swift Eastern Coachworks Great Yarmouth Transport
1975 KDT281P Bedford YRQ Paxton Panorama Elite Marks tours
1975 HTA 844N Leyland National MK1 NL11351/1R 02401 Western National NBC
1976 MRT 6P Leyland AN68 Atlantean ROE Ipswich Borough
1979 YYE 274T Leyland National MK1 Eastern Counties
1980 JHJ 150V Leyland National MK1 NL11351/1R 02401 Eastern National
1980 KOO 790V Bristol VRT Series III Eastern Coachworks Eastern National
1980 JKV 412V Bedford YNT Plaxton Supreme IV Smiths
1981 RGW 690W Bedford YMT Duple Dominant II
1981 XHK 234X Bristol VRT Series III Eastern Coachworks Eastern National
1982 HWV 260X Bedford Plaxton YNT Supreme V ex Rambler
1982 FAH275Y Volvo B10M Plaxton Supreme V Peelings Coaches
1982 WPH 135Y Leyland Tiger East Lancs EL2000 Hedingham
1982 VAV 160X Volvo B10M MK1 Plaxton Supreme Whippet Coaches
1984 BXI 2565 Bristol RELL Alexander Belfast Ulsterbus
1985 B115LDX Leyland B21 Alexander (Belfast) N-type Ipswich Buses
1986 D467YDL Leyland Tiger Duple 320 Marks tours
1989 G864 XDX Leyland Olympian Alexander RL Chambers
1990 H387 SET Vauxhall Midi Post Bus Royal Mail
1990 H654 VVV Leyland Olympian Alexander RL United Counties
1993 K742ODL Leyland Olympian Ex Southern Vectis
1993 L102 LRA Volvo B10B Northern Counties Trent Barton
1995 N215 TDU Volvo B10M Alexander PS Stagecoach Midlands
1995 N619 GAH Mercedes Benz 609D Frank Guy Eastern Counties
1999 T127 OAH Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown Fareline Buses
2000 HIG7820 Volvo B10M Plaxton Panther Burrows Coaches
2001 PL51 LDU Volvo B7TL Plaxton President ex Hedingham
2001 AE51 VFX Dennis Dart Cavalier Travel (T/A Stagecoach)
2002 AF52 VMD Scania L94UB Wright Solar Go Whippet
2002 JE52 BUS Dennis Dart Caetano Nimbus VoteJe Promotional Livery (Libertybus)
2002 LV52 HKL Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer Stagecoach London Red
2003 SN53 KHR Dennis Trident 2 ALX 400 Two tone red with grey skirt
2003 C24 DCT Mercedes Benz Ferqui Solera Dan's Coach Travel
2003 KX03 HZP Alexander Dennis Dart North Essex Travel
2003 WX53 UKK Volvo Transbus B7Tl Alx400 Barbie
2003 KV03 ZFE Dennis Dart Caetano Nimbus CT Plus London
2004 HC04BBB Plaxton Concept 2000 B6BLE Lawsons Of Corby
2004 GX04 EXN Dennis Dart SLF Transbus Pointer II Stagecoach
2005 E25 DCT Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon Dan's Coach Travel
2005 LX05 FBL Volvo B7TL Wright Ecplise Gemini Go Ahead London
2006 E23 DCT Volvo B12M Plaxton Panther Dan's Coach Travel
2006 JD54 BUS Scania K340 Caetano Levante Camper Conversion
2007 YN07 EYP Scania N94UD OmniDekka Central Connect (Flagfinders)
2007 YN56NVF Scania Omni city Ipswich Buses
2007 P24PJO Vanhool Alizee Volvo B10 White
2007 SN57 HDH Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini First Essex Colchester Zoo
2007 JFO 546 Volvo B12B Jonckheeere JHV Whincop of Peasenhall
2008 FJ08 FYN Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini First Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth Transport
2008 YN08 NXT Mercedes Benz 0813 Plaxton Beaver III Dan's Coach Travel
2008 LX58 CDV Scania CN230UD OmniCity Stagecoach London
2008 248 KRO Volvo B12B 9700 Whincop of Peasenhall
2009 EU59 AFJ ADL Enviro 200 Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Central Connect (Hedingham)
2009 KX59 GNY ADL E200 Ipswich Buses training bus
2009 YX09 FLC Adl Dart Enviro200 Regent Coaches
2011 SN11 BUO ADL E40D Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Central Connect
2012 YX12 DHO ADL E20D Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Central Connect
2012 OIG 6926 Volvo Jonckheere Mil-Ken Travel
2012 Y25 TEY Vanhool Astronef Silver
2012 SN12 AFE ADL Enviro400 First Essex Colchester Zoological Society
2012 YN62 GYR Volvo B9R Plaxton Panther First Norwich Ultravilot
2013 RC55ROC Mercedes Sprinter Reynolds of Colchester
2013 SN63 MYH ADL Enviro400 First Essex Lest we forget
2015 MIL 1803 Volvo Plaxton Elite I Mil-Ken Travel
2015 SN15AFJ Wright StreetLite DF First Lowestoft Ultraviolet
2015 MX15 KLA Volvo B11R Plaxton Panther 3 Coach Services Ltd
2015 W25 PTS Mercedes Benz Tourismo Wright Coaches
2016 S28FSC Scania Irizar I6 Freestones Coaches
2016 EU66 AVG ADL E20D Enviro 200 Stephensons of Essex
2016 P55 FAH Mercedes Tourismo Peelings Coaches
2016 Y11 OWT Scania K360Eb4 Vanhool Tx Eagles Coaches
2016 Y321STS Temsa Md9 Sts
2017 SN17 MTX ADL Enviro400 MMC First Essex Essex Airlink
2017 YJ67 TCZ Yutong TC9 Thompsons of Framlingham
2017 W30 PTS Mercedes Benz Tourismo Wright Coaches
2018 MF68 UXO Ford Tourneo Central Connect
2018 YT68GXM Scania Interlink Freestones Coaches
2019 LX19 EAG BCI Enterprise Ensign Bus
2019 WX59 BYP Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2 First Essex First Pink training livery
2020 P20 MKT Volvo B11Rle Panorama Mil-Ken Travel
2021 N25 MKT Volvo 9900 Lochs & Glens
2021 AV70 VUT Volvo B8R Plaxton Panther III Thompsons of Framlingham
2022 YN72 ZYA Scania K410 Interlink Belle Coaches
2022 YX22 OGS ADL E20D Alexander Dennis Enviro 200MMC Central Connect (Sandon P&R)
2022 BN72 TVX Wright StreetDeck Ultroliner First Ipswich Reds
2022 MC72 UYF Wright StreetLite DF First Essex Green Essex Bus
2022 CS72 BUS Adl Enviro400 Mmc Coach Services Ltd
2023 BK73AKF Wright StreetDeck Ultroliner First Norwich Ultraviolet Pride
2023 F25STS Mercedes Sprinter And 19 Seat Executive Minibus Sts
2024 EU74 KTP ADL E40D Enviro 400 MMC Stephensons of Essex
2024 YT24BJY Scania Irizar i6 Kearney Group, Grand Uk Holidays
2024 X30 PTS Mercedes Benz Tourismo Wright Coaches
2025 RX25 SYY Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cityline Central Connect
2025 SN75 YKP Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Galloway
2025 YW25 FNJ ADL E20D Enviro 200 MMC Stephensons of Essex
2025 BU75 WNH Volvo B8R MCV Evora Sanders Coaches
2025 MA75 BEL Volvo B8L MCV EvoSeti Sanders Coaches
2025 YK75 LLU Yutong U11DD First Essex Essex Ultraviolet
2025 YK75 LJF Yutong E12 First Essex Ultraviolet
2026 YC26 AXV Van Hool Astromega TDX27 Ridleys
2026 YG26 VMM Yutong GT14 tri axle Central Connect (FlixBus)
2026 YT26 AFO DAF Integral Iriziar i6se Central Connect
2026 YT26 AFN DAF Integral Iriziar i6se Central Connect
2026 YX26 KGE ADL E20D Enviro 200 MMC Stephensons of Essex
2026 BU26 WTR Volvo B8R MCV Evora Dews Coaches
2026 V100 DEW Volvo B8L MCV EvoSeti Dews Coaches
2026 DH26 DON Van Hool T17 Astron Dons of Dumnow
2026 DN26 DON Van Hool TDX27 Astromega Dons of Dumnow
2026 AD26 SAN Yutong GT14 tri axle Sanders Coaches
2026 BV26 HTU Mercedes Benz Tourismo Mulleys Motorways
2026 PC26BUS Mercedes Tourismo L St Edmunds Travel
202? BV26 HVA Mercedes Benz Tourismo Lochs And Glens
2015 R25 PTS Volvo B11R Plaxton Elite i Wright Coaches
z2000 X153 LBJ Optare Spectra Ipswich Buses
1956 MJB 481 Bedford SBG Duple Vega Lodges Coaches
1962 28 TKR AEC Reliance Harrington Maidstone & District
1967 HDV 626E Bristol RELL6G Eastern Coachworks Southern National
1986 D511 BPU Leyland Olympian Eastern Coachworks ex Panther Travel
2000 W645 FUM Volvo B10M Plaxton Premiere 350 National Holidays
2008 B23 DCT Scania L94UB Wright Solar Dan's Coach Travel
2008 WX58 JYG Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini First Essex Essex Bus
2012 YX12 DHM ADL E20D Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Central Connect DTV
2012 BD12 SSZ Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 First Norwich Ultraviolet
2013 YX13 AFU ADL E20D Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Central Connect
2016 SN66 WKR ADL Enviro200 MMC First Essex Essex Park & Ride
2017 YP67 XDB Scania N250UD ADL Enviro400 MMC First Essex First Essex Airlink
2018 WK18CHD ADL Enviro400 MMC First Essex Essex Park & Ride
2018 WK18 CGZ ADL Enviro400 MMC First Essex First Essex Ultraviolet
2021 LX21 CHH Wrightbus Streetdeck Arriva 1X Livery
2022 BN72 TVA Wright StreetDeck Ultroliner First Ipswich Ultravilot
2024 BU75 WNF Volvo B8R MCV Evora Charlise Executive Travel
2024 YY24 HBO ADL E20D Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Central Connect
2024 YY74 OBU ADL E40D Enviro 400MMC Central Connect
2025 SN75 YDX ADL E40D Enviro 400MMC Ipswich Buses
2025 BU26 WPF Volvo B8R MCV Evora A2B Travel Group
2025 YH25 FCV Yuong TC9 Charlise Executive Travel
2026 YN26 VZK Scania Higer Touring Galloway
