Torquay overnight by coach.

Yes, it was definitely Littlewoods. Did the overnight run in 1974. Can remember going past the Babysham factory at Shepton Mallett (I think) in the early hours. They had a big illuminated Bambi in front of their building.

Did that trip once,1974,never again.12 hours it took.Left Pond street 7pm Friday night and arrived Paignton 7am Saturday morning

Torquay was a long coach run in the 70s which we did in 1970 and 1973 and took 13 hours..Can't remember using a motorway all way down and remember going through Stroud, Bristol, Bath and Andover

My Grandad and Great Uncle were the two brothers in question.  Both bought petrol engined (Bedford?) coaches - for speed - custom fitted with air horns.  Most of the journey was down country lanes in those days, accounting for the 12 hour duration, it must have been hell.  However, there were plenty of stops and, I believe they innovated with hostess service (sandwiches & drinks) at some point.  The overnight service proved so popular with Sheffielders that people would queue down Spital Hill from the early hours of the morning, to buy tickets.  They were always in trouble with the police for speeding ;-) but Grandad, being an ex Police/Fireman from the Sheffield Fire Brigade, always talked his way out of it.  Great Days.  My dad Geoff also ran coaches until ~2010

PS.  The change over at Bath -Top half to bottom half - they used to call it - used Littlewood drivers only.  They were taken down the previous night on a spare coach that could be used both to ferry the "bottom half" drivers back to Sheffield and as a breakdown / backup vehicle.