This page created 23rd October 2003
364 HN, SV Hitchin - Preston - Kings Walden ( - Luton - Flamstead). The 364 straggled across the countryside between Hitchin and Luton, connecting a string of hamlets and villages and the burgeoning spawl of Luton. In the main it was a Hitchin-based RF route, but Hitchin also worked market day short runs to Preston (Tuesdays and Saturdays) using GSs between journeys on the 383. For a while there were shorts to Kings Walden also. It was not usual for GSs to work through to Luton, but it was done on occasions.
GS2 pauses at the pretty village of Preston on its way to Kings Walden in June 2003.From Hitchin St Mary's Square the bus ran south past Hitchin garage, up the hill and south through lush countryside to Preston. There most of the shorts turned. The village has a delightful green and pump. Others went on, forking off the direct route to visit the Post Office at Ley Green, before turning left to run along to a road junction near Kings Walden. This point, apparently in the middle of nowhere, provided a junction at which to perform a reverse turn, and a place out of the way tucked under a tree for the five minute stand.
The short-working terminus at Kings Walden is a crossroads with room for the bus to reverse and tuck out of the way under a tree. The lanes near Ley Green are rather narrow.When Hitchin closed in April 1959 the GSs moved to Stevenage, and ran to and from Hitchin either light or on the 303. Provision for the main 364 route moved to Luton, and the route was extended at the western end to Flamstead (364) or Kensworth / Whipsnade (364A) but Stevenage continued the Tuesday and Saturday short workings to Preston.
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