Route 253 commenced operating on 1 February 1961 between Aldgate bus station and Tottenham Court Road via Bethnal Green, Hackney Central, Clapton Pond, Stamford Hill, Manor House, Finsbury Park and Camden Town as a replacement for trolleybus route 653 with AEC Routemasters.

[2] The route now runs between Hackney Central and Euston (via Clapton Pond, Stamford Hill, Manor House, Finsbury Park and Camden Town).

In November 2009, route 253 was retained by incumbent operator Arriva London.

[4] Upon being re-tendered, the route was retained by Arriva London with a new contract commencing on 6 June 2015.

[5] From October 2016, Arriva London began introducing a fleet of 32 New Routemasters to be on the route.