Immerse yourself in the spring spectacle of a bluebell wood with these walks from stations on the High Peak and Hope Valley lines.
All one-way distances and times are approximate, starting from the station.
Corbar Wood, Buxton (approx 20 mins, 0.8 miles)
From Buxton Station, turn right onto Station Road, then right again onto Devonshire Road. Continue onto to A5004 which will bring you to the fringes of Corbar Wood. There’s a spectacular display of bluebells to be found here throughout May, as well as other wildlife such as speckled wood butterflies, wood anemone and woodland birds such as nuthatches and treecreepers.
Ecclesall Woods, Dore and Totley (approx 5 mins, 0.1 miles)
From Dore and Totley Station, simply cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and enter ancient Ecclesall Woods. You will immediately encounter a carpet of bluebells almost everywhere in the woods from late April to mid May. There are a number of family-friendly trails throughout the woods.
Find out more: Friends of Ecclesall Woods
Gnat Hole Woods, Glossop (30 minutes, approx 2 miles)
Turn right out of the station and head in the direction of Old Glossop, following the A57 to foot of Snake Pass. Take a right by the golf course onto Derbyshire Level Road, a favourite walking area. Follow the road for 1.5 miles, taking a left at the fork. A descent of a further quarter of a mile brings you to Gnathole Woods. As well as a carpet of bluebells, there are lovely unspoilt views of the High Peak District. The road in the near distance is the A624 Chunal Road, where the hourly 61 bus service calls (including direct services to from Castleton and Sheffield); catch the bus, and in 5 minutes you can be back in centre of Glossop with easy access to the station and other local buses.
Bankswood Park, Hadfield (10 mins, 0.3 miles)
Leave the station platform and turn left and walk up the cobbled path which runs parallel to the tracks. At top of the path cross the road and then turn left over the railway bridge and then right into Bankswood Park. Follow the road (which is the access road for houses at the top of the hill as well as to Bankswoods cycle track) through the park into the woods and start spotting.
Bluebell Wood, New Mills (approx 1 hr, 2.5 miles)
From New Mills Central or New Mills Newtown station, head towards the town centre and follow signs for the Sett Valley Trail. This wide, level path leads straight to Hayfield village. Near Hayfield is Bluebell Wood Nature Reserve; as the name suggests, you’ll find a brilliant display of bluebells here in spring. Bluebell Wood is an ancient woodland and is accessible to buggies and wheelchairs.
Caring for bluebell woods
These suggested walks are a guide only; please plan your walk and be prepared for the weather. Dogs should be kept on a lead in bluebell woods to protect these beautiful flowers from trampling, and of course please don’t pick them!
Have you spotted bluebells in the Peak District? Let us know by tagging us on social media, we would love to share your photos.
