Day trips
A good day out, home by evening.
Cities, gardens, shows, Christmas markets and the odd mystery tour, with pick-ups in Chelmsford and Maldon.
See the next day tripsfrom£25per person
Coach trips, holidays and coach hire in Essex
Good company since 1920.
Lodge's is the family coach company from High Easter, near Chelmsford. Join one of our day trips or short breaks, or hire a coach and driver for your own group. Same family, same cream-and-blue coaches, for more than a hundred years.
Rather talk it through? Call 01245 231262, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Family-run since 1920 Now in the third generation
- Your money protected ABTOT-bonded, member 7024
- Choose your seat When you book online
- 53-seat Mercedes coaches Air-conditioned, with washroom
Three ways to travel
Where would you like to go?
Holidays
Short breaks, with the driving done.
Three and five-day UK breaks in hotels that are usually 3, 4 or 5 star. No interchanges, no overnight travel.
See the next holidaysbreaks of3–5days
Coach hire
Your group, our coach and driver.
22, 53 and 57-seat coaches for clubs, schools, weddings, businesses and airport runs. We can plan the whole trip.
Get a coach hire quotecoaches of22–57seats
On sale now
Next departures from Chelmsford
Prices are per person. Pick your seat when you book online, or call us and we'll book it for you.
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Knit & StitchThe UK's largest textile eventBook
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Northern Cotswolds CarveryA guided country tour, with lunchBook
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Newmarket & ElyThe racing town, then Ely under big Fen skiesBook
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Milestones Museum & the Watercress LineA museum morning, then steam on the Mid Hants RailwayBook
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Battle & Battle AbbeyWhere 1066 happened, in East SussexBook
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New Forest Autumn TourA leisurely drive through the autumn colourBook
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Mystery Tour with Pub LunchDestination unknown. Lunch included.Book
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London to Brighton Veteran Car RunThe world's longest-running motoring event, or a free day in BrightonBook
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Bletchley ParkWartime home of the CodebreakersBook
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Chatsworth at ChristmasThe Devonshires' great house, dressed for ChristmasBook
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Ely Cathedral Christmas FairGifts and food at one of the country's big Christmas fairsBook
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Polhill Garden Centre, KentMore than just a garden centreBook
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Canterbury Christmas MarketStalls, festive treats and live musicBook
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Christmas Glow at RHS WisleyAn after-dark garden of lightsBook
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Thursford Christmas SpectacularAlways a favourite. Four dates up to 21 December.Book
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Rochester Dickens Christmas FestivalThe sights and sounds of a Victorian ChristmasBook
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Carols at the Royal Albert HallChristmas carols in the famous hallBook
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Thriplow DaffodilsA Cambridgeshire village in full spring bloomBook
New day trips are being added. See the full list on our booking site.
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Steam, Craft & Tipples of SomersetSteam, local makers and something to sipBook
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Gary's North Wales PanoramaA short break based in ChesterBook
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St Agnes, Cream of CornwallAn unspoilt spot on the north Cornish coastBook
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Weymouth & the Dorset CoastDorset's Jurassic CoastBook
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Warner Heythrop ParkA relaxing break in the CotswoldsBook
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Yorkshire Winter DelightsYorkshire at its most wintry and warmBook
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Belmond British Pullman & Festive BathA journey on the British Pullman, and Bath at ChristmasBook
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Harrogate, Skipton & the Yorkshire DalesChristmas in the DalesBook
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Winter Escape to the English RivieraTorquay, on Devon's riviera coastBook
New holidays are being added. See the full list on our booking site.
The Lodge's way
Small things, done properly, for over a century.
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Your holiday money is protected
We are members of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group, overseen by ABTOT, a government approved consumer protection scheme. Member number 7024.
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No changing coaches
Holidays run on comprehensive pick-up routes, with no interchanges and no overnight travel. You sit down once and you're on your way.
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Comfortable for a long day
Air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats, footrests, double glazing and air suspension. Touring coaches carry a washroom, a fridge and a hot water boiler.
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Drivers chosen for it
We pick our drivers for their politeness and experience. Passengers write in to thank them by name.
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Hotels worth arriving at
Holiday hotels are usually 3, 4 or 5 star, and your coach travel from Essex is part of the price.
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A real person on the phone
Our office in High Easter is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Pay by card over the phone, or in cash at the office.
What passengers say
The Rolls Royce of Essex. And a family business to boot.
Thank you all very much for a lovely holiday to the Lake District. It was so nice to be looked after by the hotel staff and Richard our driver.
A day trip to remember, Woodbridge followed by "The Magic of Christmas" show. Two of our favourites. Thank you.
Reliable, clean, quality service! I'd definitely go on holiday with Lodge's Coaches again!
Travelled with us? Leave us a review on Google
Private coach hire
Hire a coach and driver for your group.
Tell us where, when and how many. We'll come back with a price, and if you'd like us to, we'll plan the rest: ferries, hotels, guides and an itinerary.
- 22 seats Air-conditioned
- 53 seats Mercedes Tourismo with washroom
- 57 seats Air-conditioned
- Clubs and societies. We'll even come and give a talk on Lodge's history.
- School trips, weddings and business events
- Days out to France, gardens and seaside towns
- Visiting groups met at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted
Get a coach hire quote
Takes about a minute. No obligation.
Thank you. We've got it.
We'll be in touch with a price during office hours. If your trip is soon, call us on 01245 231262.
Our story
A hundred years on the road, and the coaches to prove it.
J.W. Lodge & Sons was founded in 1920 by the grandfather of today's partners, Andrew, Robert and Christopher. The garage is still in High Easter, and the business is still very much a family concern.
And some of the old coaches never left. Our vintage collection runs from a 1926 Ford Model T to a 1978 Bedford Duple Dominant, restored and kept in our own museum building at the garage.
1920 the year it started
3 generations of Lodges
13 vintage vehicles
The vintage fleet
Thirteen vehicles, oldest first. Scroll along the line.
- 1926 Ford Model T 4 seats
- 1926 Chevrolet Charabanc 7 seats
- 1936 Austin Taxi
- 1943 Willys Jeep
- 1947 OB Burlingham 24 seats
- 1948 Bedford Duple Vista 29 seats
- 1949 OB Bedford Duple Vista 29 seats
- 1950 Bedford Duple OB "Toast Rack" 27 seats
- 1956 SB Bedford Duple Vega 37 seats
- 1962 Bedford SB Duple Super Vega 41 seats
- 1965 SB Bella Vega 37 seats
- 1971 Bedford VAL Twin Steer 53 seats
- 1978 YMT Bedford Duple Dominant 53 seats
Vintage hire
Arrive the way they used to.
Hire a vintage coach, charabanc or classic car for a wedding, a heritage tour, a promotional event or a film shoot. Each one is restored and looked after at our own garage in High Easter.
- From the 4-seat 1926 Ford Model T to 53-seat Bedfords
- Guests travel together, and arrive together
- Seen on screen, in Rock & Chips
Closer to home
School runs and local buses.
School transport
From September 2026 we run Chelmer Valley High School routes BM003 A, C, D, L and P, serving Great Leighs, Boreham, Broomfield, Pleshey, Ford End, Howe Street, Great Waltham, Littley Green and the Chignals.
Essex County Council's "No pass, no ride" policy applies.
Routes and timesLocal bus 17 and 18
Great Dunmow to Chelmsford through the Rodings, Good Easter, High Easter, Mashbury and the Chignals.
Full timetable
Free, by post
Get the new brochure through your door.
Our trips and holidays, with dates and prices, ready to circle with a pen. The day trips brochure comes out each March, the holidays brochure each November.
It's on its way.
We'll post your brochure from High Easter.
How do I book a day trip or holiday?
Book online at bookings.lodgecoaches.co.uk, where you can choose your seat, or call the office on 01245 231262, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You can pay by card over the phone or in cash at the office in High Easter.
Where do your coaches pick up?
Day trips run from Chelmsford and Maldon pick-up points. Holidays use comprehensive pick-up routes, with no interchanges and no overnight travel. Each trip page lists its pick-up points and times.
Is my holiday money protected?
Yes. J.W. Lodge & Sons Ltd are members of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group, overseen by The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), a government approved consumer protection scheme. Holidays are covered by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
How much luggage can I take on holiday?
One suitcase per person, up to 20 by 28 inches and 18kg.
Can I bring a wheelchair?
Yes, collapsible wheelchairs can travel with you. Please mention it when you book.
What are the coaches like?
Fully air-conditioned, with reclining seats, adjustable arm and footrests, double glazing and air suspension. Touring coaches have an onboard washroom, a fridge and a hot water boiler. There is no smoking on board and there are regular comfort stops.
What standard are the holiday hotels?
Usually 3, 4 or 5 star.
When do the brochures come out?
The day excursions brochure comes out in March and the holidays brochure in November. Ask for a free copy in the post.
Find us
Ring, write or call in.
We're at the same garage in High Easter, between Chelmsford and Great Dunmow.
- Phone01245 231262
- Office hoursMonday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed weekends and bank holidays.
- Emailbookings@lodgecoaches.co.uk for trips and holidays
administrator@lodgecoaches.co.uk for everything else - AddressJ.W. Lodge & Sons, The Garage, High Easter, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4QR
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