Disley – Buxton Line
The historic village of Disley in Cheshire can trace its origins back to the 16th Century and the powerful influence of the Legh family who shaped its development for over 600 years.
At the crossroads in the heart of the village lies The Rams Head public house. The original building was built by the Legh family c.1640 but today’s exterior was added in the 19th Century. It makes a great venue for a meal or refreshments and is not far from the railway station.

Other attractive historic features in the village include the stone memorial cross on Rams Green and the stone water fountain nearby, complete with ornate three arm lighting bracket on top. This was a gift to the village in 1834 by the Orford family and further enhances the character of the village.
On a hill overlooking the village is St Mary’s Church whose oldest parts date back to the early 16th Century and the generosity of the Legh family. It was also this family which built the magnificent Lyme House and its extensive parkland to the south of Disley.
Lyme Park is now looked after by the National Trust. The attractive landscapes and stunning views of this beautiful 1,400-acre estate are therefore open for everyone to enjoy. The house was famously used by the BBC for it’s 1995 production of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. Remember Mr D’Arcy swimming in the lake and startling Elizabeth?

On the north side of Disley lies another historic feature of note. The Peak Forest Canal passes the village on its route between Dukinfield Junction and Bugsworth Basin/Whaley Bridge. A pleasant walk along the towpath will take you either to the flight of locks at Marple or to New Mills Marina at Newtown.
Another interesting country walk, The Gritstone Trail, begins at the back of Disley Station. Close to the station building look for the display board next to the steps up the bank. The trail is a 35-mile long-distance footpath which follows the most westerly hills of the Peak District from Disley Station to Mow Cop, and on via the Macclesfield Canal to Kidsgrove Station.
Passenger facilities at Disley Station
The railway station is close to the village centre and access to it is most easily achieved along the station driveway which also serves as the car park.
The station site is next to the A6 road in the Stockport direction but is down in a cutting below the road. The road bridge over the station platforms serves as the station footbridge for passengers to move between one platform and the other using the sloping footpaths to and from the road.
The platform for stations towards Stockport and Manchester is at the bottom of the driveway. There is a small station building which includes a staffed ticket office between 7.10 and 10.10am Mon-Friday and a covered waiting area for passengers. The only ticket machine at the station is found outside the ticket office.
Access from the car park into the station building is up one step. However, there is a level access route onto the platform through the gate next to the building for people with wheelchairs and heavy luggage. The footpaths up to the road bridge from both platforms are smooth and step free but quite steeply sloping.
On the platform in the Buxton direction there is a just a small waiting shelter but no ticket machine. Free WiFi is available courtesy of Northern Trains around the station site.
The nearest bus stops to the railway station are situated close by on the A6 main road. The principal bus service is the High Peak Buses 199 Skyline service which runs between Buxton, Disley, Stockport and Manchester Airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It calls at other towns nearby including New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Whaley Bridge and Chapel en le Frith.
Friends of Disley Station
On each platform at the station you will find an illustrated map showing the layout of the village and where all the features of interest described above can be found. These were a joint venture between the Friends of Disley Station, Disley Parish Council and the High Peak & Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership in December 2020.
The Friends are working on designs for a painted mural inside the waiting shelter on the Manchester platform. This is likely to include scenic views and iconic features around the village.