It was formed from the split of London Country Bus Services in 1986, and operated a fleet of around 360 buses from five garages, with its headquarters located in Garston.

[2][3] London Country North West took over 360 buses and garages in Garston, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Amersham and Slough.

[8] The two years between 1988 and 1990 proved difficult for the company: in May 1988 it was found guilty by the area Traffic Commissioner of having failed to operate local bus services in accordance with registrations, and banned from registering any new routes for three months.

[4][10] In 1993, the Slough depot was sold to BeeLine (Berks Bucks Bus Co, part of the former Alder Valley operation) in 1993.

[10] Under Luton & District and later British Bus ownership, the former London Country North West garages and vehicles took on various geographical names:[12][13] The previous LCNW livery was retained, and the original Luton & District livery adapted to match its design,[12] until 1995, when the whole company was rebranded as The Shires.