81 Dedham to Colchester via Langham, Mile End
Operated by Central Connect. First bus 06:13, last bus 16:00. 8 journeys on weekdays. Fares: adult single £1.50 to £3.00 — more.
Wanted a different 81? 37 other bus routes are numbered 81 elsewhere in the UK — see every 81 bus timetable by area.
| Stop | 10:25 | 11:40 | 12:50 | 14:15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Marlborough Head (o/s) | 10:25 | 11:40 | 12:50 | 14:15 |
| The Heath (S-bound) | 10:29 | 11:44 | 12:54 | 14:19 |
| The Shepherd & Dog (opp) | 10:38 | 11:53 | 13:03 | 14:28 |
| The Water Tower (opp) | 10:45 | 12:00 | 13:10 | 14:35 |
| Groves Close (Stop B) | 10:52 | 12:07 | 13:17 | 14:42 |
| Osborne Street (Stop Aa) | 11:03 | 12:18 | 13:28 | 14:53 |
Each column is one journey, headed by the time it sets off; one that finishes short of the usual end says where ("to …") — not every journey on this route runs the whole way. A · means that journey does not stop there. Times are shown at the route's main timing stops — buses serve all stops in between. Switch a table to All stops for every stop it calls at, or open a stop's own page for live departures there.
Fares on the 81
Adult single £1.50 to £3.00
Adult single fare table, stage to stage
| £2.50 | Langham | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2.50 | £1.50 | Mile End | |||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £1.50 | Colchester North Station | ||
| £3.00 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £1.50 | Colchester | |
| £1.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £3.00 | £3.00 | Lawford |
Read along the row of the stage you travel to, to the column below the stage you board at; the first stage is Dedham.
Transport Made Simple's published fares on the Bus Open Data Service, in force from 4 September 2026. A fare stage is a group of neighbouring stops that are priced the same. Fares change — check with Central Connect before you travel.
Tickets on the 81
Central Connect publishes singles on this route for adults and young people.
Adult Single · Young Person Single
Ticket types come from Central Connect's own fares data on the Bus Open Data Service, last updated 7 September 2026. Prices for singles and returns are under Fares above; for the others, check with Central Connect.
Christmas & bank holidays
These dates are not the usual timetable for the day they fall on. They come from the operator’s published data, which for Christmas and New Year is often late or incomplete, so check with Central Connect before you travel. Everything above is an ordinary week.
Not published yet: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 28 December, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Operators often publish festive timetables only a few weeks ahead, so check again nearer the date.
- Tuesday, 29 December 2026 towards Colchester: 4 journeys, first 10:25 towards Dedham: 4 journeys, first 06:13
- Wednesday, 30 December 2026 towards Colchester: 4 journeys, first 10:25 towards Dedham: 4 journeys, first 06:13
Route map
All stops on route 81
81 towards Colchester
All 30 stops
- The Marlborough Head (o/s) Dedham
- Forge Street (adj) Dedham
- Kiln Cottages (opp) Dedham
- Coopers Lane (opp) Dedham
- The Anchor (opp) Dedham Heath
- The Heath (S-bound) Dedham Heath
- Duck Lane (adj) Dedham Heath
- Rye Farm (W-bound) Dedham
- Monks Lane (opp) Dedham
- Birchwood Corner (N-bound) Langham
- Birchwood Road (opp) Langham
- St Margaret's Cross (W-bound) Langham
- School (opp) Langham
- The Shepherd & Dog (opp) Langham
- Chapel Road (opp) Langham
- Runkins Corner (S-bound) Langham
- Cuckoo Point (opp) Severalls Park
- Julian Avenue (adj) Mile End
- Maximus Drive (adj) Mile End
- The Water Tower (opp) Mile End
- Olympic Boulevard (W-bound) Mile End
- Hospital Path (adj) Colchester
- Bruff Close (W-bound) Colchester
- Groves Close (Stop B) Colchester
- Railway Station Layby (Stand F) Colchester
- The Albert (o/s) Colchester
- Causton Road (adj) Colchester
- Middleborough (S-bound) Colchester
- High Street (Stop Fb) Colchester City Centre
- Osborne Street (Stop Aa) Colchester City Centre
81 towards Dedham
All 42 stops
- Rye Farm (W-bound) Dedham
- Norman Way Schools (o/s) Colchester
- Park Road (opp) Colchester
- The Avenue (opp) Colchester
- Beverley Road (opp) Colchester
- Essex County Hospital (opp) Colchester
- Osborne Street (Stop Aa) Colchester City Centre
- Head Street (Stop Ec) Colchester City Centre
- Middleborough (N-bound) Colchester
- Causton Road (opp) Colchester
- The Albert (opp) Colchester
- Railway Station Layby (Stand Ea) Colchester
- Bruff Close (E-bound) Colchester
- Hospital Path (opp) Colchester
- Olympic Boulevard (E-bound) Mile End
- The Water Tower (o/s) Mile End
- Julian Avenue (opp) Mile End
- Matchett Drive (adj) Mile End
- Cuckoo Point (adj) Severalls Park
- Runkins Corner (N-bound) Langham
- Chapel Road (adj) Langham
- The Shepherd & Dog (o/s) Langham
- School (o/s) Langham
- St Margaret's Cross (E-bound) Langham
- Birchwood Road (E-bound) Langham
- Birchwood Corner (S-bound) Langham
- Monks Lane (adj) Dedham
- The Marlborough Head (o/s) Dedham
- Forge Street (adj) Dedham
- Kiln Cottages (opp) Dedham
- Coopers Lane (opp) Dedham
- The Anchor (opp) Dedham Heath
- The Heath (S-bound) Dedham Heath
- Home Farm Lane (opp) Ardleigh
- Bargate Lane (adj) Lawford
- Garden City (opp) Lawford
- Hungerdown Lane (opp) Lawford
- Church Hill (adj) Lawford
- Lawford Place (o/s) Lawford
- Summers Park (opp) Lawford
- Railway Station (o/s) Manningtree
- Station (inside) Manningtree
Service registration & registered changes
- Service change effective 2 November 2025 To amend Route and Timetable.
- Service change effective 1 September 2024 To amend Stopping Places.
- New service effective 28 July 2024 Monday to saturdays
Registered as financially supported by a local authority (Essex County Council).
From official Traffic Commissioner registrations. Registration PF0002189/227 · Changes in Essex County Council · All service changes →
Towns & areas on this route
Frequently asked questions
What time is the first 81 bus?
The first 81 departure on weekdays leaves at 06:13 (check the full timetable below for your stop, as times vary along the route — weekend times can differ).
What time is the last 81 bus?
The last 81 on weekdays leaves its first stop at 16:00. Always check the timetable for your specific stop — later stops are reached after this time.
How much does the 81 bus cost?
Central Connect's published fares on the 81: adult single £1.50 to £3.00. Most single fares in England are capped at £3 until 31 December 2026 (then £2 from 1 January 2027). Central Connect day and weekly tickets can work out cheaper if you travel more than twice a day.
Who runs the 81 bus?
The 81 is operated by Central Connect.
Timetable data from Central Connect via the DfT Bus Open Data Service (South East England feed). Registered with the Traffic Commissioner as PF0002189/227. Check before you travel — services can change at short notice.