Make the most of the Peak District this summer: Recommended walks, beauty spots and places to eat and drink
And with the Peak Sightseer open top buses running daily right through to October you can now see even more of the Peak District National Park – and leave the car at home.
New for this season, there are two Peak Sightseer routes - Red route and Blue route – which take you directly to the areas popular destinations with stops including Castleton, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Bamford, Padley Gorge, Hathersage, the Monsal Trail and more.
Day tickets are just £9.50 per adult with under 19s, Derbyshire or Manchester Wayfarer holders or concessions card holders paying just £5.50. Groups of up to any five people pay £25 and there are 48-hour tickets available (£18 for an adult) for those staying a little longer.
To help inspire you and to make the most of your days out in the Peak District we’ve put together some suggested walking routes, beauty spots and refreshment stops.
Walks and beauty spots on the Sightseer route
Chatsworth to Bakewell walk – take your pick of a six mile or eight mile walk which takes you over the Monsal Trail, through woods to the picturesque village of Edensor ending up at Derbyshire’s most famous residence Chatsworth House.
Mam Tor Great Ridge walk – This 6-and-a-half mile walk starts in Castleton and will take you across some of the most stunning parts of the Peak District. This is one of the best ridge walks in the country passing both Treak Cliff and Blue John Cavern. You can extend it along the river to make it an 8-mile route.
Castleton Children’s Walks – this takes you past Peveril Castle and the show caves of Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern. You’ll need your boots for the uneven terrain and your best climbing legs ready, but the views will definitely be worth it.
Longshaw Estate and Padley Gorge walk - This beautiful walk starts and ends in the peaceful Longshaw Estate, owned and managed by the National Trust. The route offers incredible open views across the Peak District moorland landscape before entering the fairytale ancient oak woodland of Padley Gorge. There is a tearoom at the start/end of the walk and a café roughly halfway round for refreshments if needed.
Bamford bus stop to Hope bus stop walk – Take your time on this delightful 5.3mile walk from Bamford to Hope via the rocky heights of Win Hill – it includes a few challenges but the rewards will be worth it. You’ll go along well-made tracks along Ladybower Reservoir and pass the famous ‘plugholes’ then off up to the summit of Win Hill for a 360 degree view.
As well as Win Hill some of these walks will take you past some of the Peak District’s natural beauty spots including Lose Hill, Surprise View and Longshaw Estat
Click on the links to the walks for more details or to download a pdf of the route
Recommended places for food and drink on the Peak Sightseer blue route
Chatsworth House restaurants and café are fantastic for local produce, lunch or afternoon teas in elegant surroundings.
For a quintessentially English experience try Edensor Tea Cottage
Padley Gorge ice cream van – look out for the van and enjoy the best of outdoor summer refreshment – there’s nothing to beat a cone or an ice-lolly on a summer’s day
Fox House pub is a dog and walker-friendly pit stop with great walks to Padley Gorge.
Scotsman’s Pack, Hathersage – Enjoy the warmest welcome at this traditional Peak District pub.
Perfect for alfresco dining and soaking up the summer sun, The George at Hathersage has a lovely outdoor terrace, and if you’d rather be indoors then this refurbished pub is a great place to take a break.
For great coffee and light bites try the Grasshopper Café, Hope.
Artisan ice-cream doesn’t get better than this. Don’t miss Hope Valley IceCream for a true taste of summer
The Bareca Bar at Bike & Boot Hotel is a dog and walker friendly restaurant within the hotel which serves light bites and great pizzas
And what more could a weary walker wish for than a relaxing rest. Brough Travellers Rest should fit the bill. This traditioinal pub near Hope has great walks nearby.
Choose your route
The Red Route open top bus travels one way in a loop with stops at:
- Chatsworth House
- Pilsley for the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop
- Hassop Station for the Monsal Trail
- Bakewell Bakewell Road for the town centre Ashford in the Water for Ashford Arms
Buses on the Peak Sightseer Blue route go between Chatsworth House and Blue John Cavern using the same route in both directions. The route has stops at:
- Chatsworth House
- Baslow Nether End for Baslow Edge
- Fox House for Padley Gorge and the Longshaw Estate
- Hathersage for Stanage Edge
- Bamford for Bamford Edge and Ladybower if you’re a keen walker
- Hope for Lose Hill
- Castleton for Peveril Castle
- Blue John Cavern for Mam Tor
To find out more visit the Stagecoach Peak Sightseer website here