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Travel Information
In this section you'll find helpful information on getting here, travelling around once you are here, and public transport in the the Peak District & Derbyshire. Our Tourist Information Centres are always able to help with travel information too.
Getting Here
Located right at the heart of the UK, the Peak District and Derbyshire is easily accessible by air, road, rail and even boat, thanks to excellent transport connections.
The Peak District and Derbyshire also has an extensive public transport network, enabling you to have a full day out exploring the area without using the car. Getting to the area couldn't be easier, and regular services link many of the area's most popular destinations.
By Plane
The Peak District and Derbyshire is surrounded by three international airports – Manchester Airport, East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport, with daily flights from destinations all over the world.
- From Manchester Airport, a regular rail and tram service runs to the city centre, from where you can connect by rail into the area. Alternatively, take bus service 199 from the airport to Buxton.
- From East Midlands Airport, a regular bus service runs to Derby, from where you can connect by rail or bus into the Peak District and Derbyshire.
- Birmingham Airport offers excellent rail links to Derby. From here, you can catch a bus or train into the area.
By Car
If you’re travelling to the Peak District and Derbyshire by car, the area is within close striking distance of the UK’s main motorway network. From the north and south, both the M1 and M6 motorways provide fast and easy access. The M62, M42, M60, M56, M67 and M18 can also be used to reach the area.
By Bus
You can get to most parts of the Peak District and Derbyshire by bus. Some services run daily, hourly or better, whilst other services may be less frequent. For more information visit the Peak District Bus Routes page.
From Derby or Buxton you could catch the TransPeak bus service, which runs through wonderful scenery in the heart of the Peak District, calling at Rowsley, Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Ashford in the Water, Taddington, Chelmorton, and all bus stops between.
For full information about bus routes and timetables within the Peak District and surrounding areas, visit www.derbysbus.info.
By Coach
National Express and Megabus operate express coach routes from many cities around the UK, linking with destinations around the edge of the Peak District, from where onward local bus or rail connections are available.
By Train
The Peak District is easy to reach by rail from around the UK. Taking the train from London St Pancras International can get you to Derby in just 91 minutes, continuing onwards to Chesterfield and Sheffield to the East of the area. To the West, the main line from London Euston stops at Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly. Once you arrive, branch lines listed below will take you into the heart of the area.
- The Hope Valley Line between Manchester and Sheffield (Northern Railway) passes through spectacular Peak District scenery, calling at stations at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale.
- To the south is the Derwent Valley Line from Derby to Matlock (East Midlands Railway), from where regular bus services will take you to picturesque villages and dales in the White Peak, including the market town of Bakewell.
- To the west is the Manchester to Glossop line (Northern Railway), for access to the nearby Dark Peak moors and the Longdendale valley
- Also to the west is the Manchester to Buxton line (Northern Railway). From Buxton regular bus services will take you to picturesque villages and dales in the White Peak, including the market town of Bakewell.
- To the north is the Manchester to Huddersfield line (TransPennine Express), stopping on the way at Greenfield and Marsden for access to Dove Stones, the Wessenden Valley and the open moors
By Ferry
The closest ports to the Peak District and Derbyshire are Hull (serving the Scandinavian countries) and Liverpool (for Ireland and the Isle of Man). Onward travel to the area takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes.
Car parks
There are plenty of car parks in the Peak District & Derbyshire that allow you to park safely and avoid damaging landscape and habitats. Please use the car parks provided and help to keep roads safer and clear for farm vehicles and the emergency services.
See below for information on:
- Car parks in the Peak District National Park
- Car parks in the Derbyshire Dales
(Including car parks in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Hathersage, Wirksworth, Matlock and Matlock Bath) - Car parks in the High Peak
(Including Buxton, the Hope Valley, Glossop and New Mills) - Car parks in the Amber Valley
(Including car parks in Belper, Alfreton and Ripley) - Car parks in Chesterfield
What3words - find, share and save precise locations
When visiting the Peak District & Derbyshire, we always recommend planning your trip in advance and, when exploring unfamiliar areas, we urge you to carry a map with clear route information.
Whether you're discovering or rediscovering the area, what3words is a handy system that helps you find, share and save precise locations using a unique three word address.
The app can also help you find an exact point on a map that is more accurate than a postcode, for example when trying to locate rural accommodation, attractions and experiences.
It can also be used in emergency situations where you may need urgent assistance. Download the app on your phone prior to your trip, and if needed it will generate a totally unique three word pinpont location that can be passed on to the emergency services.
You can find out more and download the app here.