Peak Experience

 

 

The Peak District enjoys an extensive public transport network, enabling you to have a full day out exploring the area without using a car. Getting to the Peak District couldn’t be easier by train or bus, and regular services link many of the area’s most popular destinations.

 

 

The cities neighbouring the Peak District all have regular inter-city rail services from destinations across the country. From these cities, it’s easy to make onward journeys into the Peak District by train. You can catch:

For information on train times and fares on all these routes, you can call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950, or visit their website at www.nationalrail.co.uk

 

From Matlock and Buxton, regular bus services (see below) will take you into the heart of the Peak District.

 

 

You can also get to the Peak District by bus or coach. National Express service 440 runs from London to Manchester, stopping in Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton. They also offer services to towns and cities around the edge of the Peak District, as do Megabus. Local connections are then easily available.

 

From Derby, Nottingham and Manchester, as well as travelling by train, you could catch the TransPeak bus service, which runs right through the heart of the District.

 

There are also bus services into the Peak District from many other towns and cities. You can find out more by visiting the website or calling the enquiry number for your area, listed below.

 

Derbyshire or phone 0870 608 2 608

Cheshire or phone 0870 608 2 608

Greater Manchester or phone 0870 608 2 608

Nottingham or phone 0870 608 2 608

Nottinghamshire or phone 0870 608 2 608

South Yorkshire or phone 01709 515151

Staffordshire or phone 0870 608 2 608

West Yorkshire or phone 0113 2457676.

 

 

If you’re coming to the Peak District from further afield, there are two convenient international airports locally. From Manchester Airport a regular rail service runs to Manchester city centre, from where you can connect by rail into the Peak District. Alternatively, bus service 199 travels direct to Buxton from the airport.

 

Further south, it’s easy to get to the Peak District from Nottingham East Midlands Airport as well. A regular bus service runs from the airport to Derby, from where you can get to the Peak District by train or bus.

 

 

Once you’ve got to the Peak District, there are plenty of public transport services to get you around the area. There are even special events and discounts that you can make the most of as a public transport user.

 

For comprehensive timetable information, the best source of advice is the Peak District Bus Timetable published in March and October every year by Derbyshire County Council. It is available from any Tourist Information Centre in the area or by sending a cheque for £1.60 (payable to DCC) to The Public Transport Unit, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG. Alternatively, you can look up your bus times on the Internet: just visit the Derbyshire County Council website.

 

Peak Connections provides a range of leaflets giving information on how to have a day out by bus at some of the area’s main attractions, such as Chatsworth and the Castleton Caverns.

 

If you’re travelling by train, TransPeak Walks offers a range of guided walks suitable for all ages and abilities. The organization is run by volunteers, and free to the public. The guides meet designated trains for a stroll or more strenuous walk into the surrounding countryside. Their website has full details of the walks programme.

 

As well as the programme of walks, the Hope Valley Line also has regular Folk Music Trains, running into the Peak District from both Manchester and Sheffield.

 

At the other end of the Peak District, you can travel back in time by train – Peak Rail runs steam trains between Matlock and Rowsley.

 

 

You don’t have to use public transport to travel sustainably in the Peak District. There are plenty of opportunities to travel by bike. The Peak District benefits from a significant traffic-free cycle network. There are traffic-free cycle routes from Ashbourne and Cromford towards Buxton (the Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail  and from Bakewell towards Buxton (the Monsal Trail).

 

If you don’t have your own bike, you can hire bikes from one of the National Park cycle hire centres. You can also find out more information about the National Cycle Network by visiting the Sustrans website.

 

 

Peak Connection timetables can be downloaded here - Days out from Sheffield, Bus 260 in Edale and Castleton, Upper Derwent, Chatsworth, Bus 58 Macclesfield to Bakewell.