Running between Deptford Bridge and Marylebone stations, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.

It was initially operated by Stagecoach London's Plumstead garage with Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses.

[2] Route 453 originally started from the first busy single stop on route 53, at Deptford, outside Addey and Stanhope School, then duplicated the 53 via New Cross, New Cross Gate, Old Kent Road, Bricklayers Arms, Elephant & Castle, St George's Circus, Westminster, to Whitehall, then Regent Street, Oxford Street, Great Portland Street, Regent's Park and to Marylebone station.

The section north of Oxford Circus was a new service designed to create a new south–west link at Regent's Park station.

[citation needed] Route 453 operates via these primary locations:[4][5]