Make great family memories together with train journeys in the High Peak and Hope Valley this summer. Keep the costs low by exploring family-friendly outdoor places you can reach by rail.
Here are a few of our ideas:
Off the beaten track
From Bamford station discover the quiet Thornhill Trail whilst the tourists flock to the hotspots. The Thornhill Trail leads up to the Ladybower Reservoir where you can enjoy waterside walks and bike rides.
Spectacular Views
Take in the spectacular views from tunnel to tunnel. Make the most of the views by travelling through Totley (between Dore & Totley and Grindleford) or Cowburn tunnel (between Chinley and Edale) along the Hope Valley line. The Sheffield to Manchester train emerges from the darkness into the spectacular Edale and Hope Valleys. Explore the tiny village and try to support local businesses by visiting the cafes, pubs or shop. It’s always difficult to park in Edale so taking the train will take off the strain! From Edale station you can do short circular walks- here’s one to try: The Vale of Edale, the Penny Pot Cafe, and the Pennine Way | National Trust 3.4 miles
Reconnecting with family
From Dore & Totley it’s a short walk to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet where there’s free entry every Thursday to Sunday . Catch a glimpse of life at home and at work at a rural scythe and steelworks dating back to the 18th century. Waterwheels, tilt hammers, a grinding hull, steam engine and even a crucible steel furnace! Find out more about visiting Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet here.
Take the family to Buxton and join in the fun. Follow the Buxton Flowerpot Trail around the beautiful town centre until the end of July. The Pavilion Gardens are a short walk from the station, with play parks, a miniature railway and a boating lake. Find out more about visiting Buxton here.
Purse friendly days out
Wander up Padley Gorge from Grindleford station through ancient oak woodland beside the gurgling Burbage Brook. There’s a café by the station or reward your walk to the top of the estate with a visit to the new National Trust Longshaw café, opened this year. Find out more about Longshaw here.
From New Mills Newtown or New Mills Central stations you can easily reach the Torrs Riverside Park, walk along the dramatic Millennium Walkway and see the Torrs Hydro in action. High Lee Park sits above New Mills Central station with a big play park and plenty of open space. The Sett Valley Trail runs from the Torrs to Hayfield and the Peak Forest Canal runs nearby Newtown station, offering a pleasant waterside stroll to the marina at Furness Vale. Find out more about visiting New Mills here.
Doorstep Discovery
Take the train to Whaley Bridge, Gateway to the Goyt Valley and pick up the Walks around Whaley leaflet. There’s a play park, skate park, pump track and waymarked trails in the award-winning park and plenty of interesting shops, beautiful bakeries and charming cafes to tickle your tastebuds. Pop down to the canal basin, the Transhipment Warehouse and wander along the canal to Bugsworth Basin – download a visitor guide here.
Discover more in Glossop – it’s a short walk from the station to the conservation area of Old Glossop and Manor Park, where there’s a lake and woodland paths as well as an extensive play park next to the river and a skate park. There’s also a miniature railway, pavilion café and toilets. Download the Old Glossop Heritage trail complete with family activity sheet.
Rediscovering days out with friends
From Hathersage station it’s a short walk to the pool where you can swim in the sunshine, surrounded by the hills. Book a session here at Hathersage Open-Air Pool. Tickets go on sale every Friday for the following week.
While you’re in Hathersage, take a countryside walk to Thorpe Farm, home of Hope Valley Ice Cream and a great place to visit. What better incentive for a summer walk? Find out more here.
This summer the city of Sheffield is hosting four Out & About Weekenders, each will have a theme of its own and offer a programme of FREE, family-friendly activities including drop-in creative workshops, exhibitions, newly-commissioned artworks, performances and events. Of course, there’s also the Peace Gardens, the indoor Winter Gardens, Millennium Galleries, shops and cafes. Find out more about visiting Sheffield this summer here.
Scenic walks and bike rides
At Disley station follow the well waymarked route into the National Trust’s Lyme Park. Free entry to the scenic parkland with walks through woods and onto the moors as well as a great adventure playground. There’s a National Trust café, shop and toilets by the lake and lots of picnic benches. And you won’t need to queue on the A6! Find out more about visiting Lyme here.
From Hope and Bamford stations you’ll be able to pick up the Hope Valley Explorer Bus to Castleton for spectacular views and walks to Mam Tor, Winnats Pass and Peveril Castle. There are also many caves, gift shops and cafes in this pretty village. The bus is running throughout the school summer holidays, until 3rd September, taking you to places the train can’t reach whilst cutting car numbers in the National Park. You can also catch this bus at Chesterfield and Dronfield stations. Link to buses is at the bottom of this page
The Hope Valley Explorer bus takes you up to Ladybower in the Upper Derwent Valley where you can walk to the dams made famous by the Dambusters of WW2 and take in the wonderful reservoir views.
Bus Information
Buxton to Tideswell, Eyam and Grindleford Station
Chesterfield station to Bakewell
If you’re planning a day out on trains and buses have a look at the Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket, which may save you some money and get you discounted entry at some of Derbyshire’s top attractions.
