Great days out by bus in the Peak District & Derbyshire

With a wide network of routes and easy access to a wealth of attractions, towns and beautiful walks, there are so many reasons to travel across Derbyshire by bus! Forget about sitting in traffic jams, battling with satnavs or driving in circles trying to find a parking space, just hop on the bus, relax and then hop off at any of the wonderful destinations across the county.

Travelling by bus is safe, simple and sustainable. It’s far better for the environment than using your car, and with full day tickets allowing unlimited travel from only £6, it’s far better for your bank balance too.

Take a look at the many attractions you can visit by bus in Derbyshire - and get ready to explore!

Chatsworth, Bakewell

Home to the Devonshire family for 16 generations, Chatsworth is a spectacular stately home set in 1,000 acres of parkland and surrounded by 105 acres of beautiful formal gardens. There are more than 25 rooms to explore inside, from the lavish Painted Hall to the awe-inspiring Sculpture Gallery. Outside, the children can let off steam in the adventure playground or meet the animals in Chatsworth’s working farmyard. With cafés, gift shops, and miles of footpaths alongside the River Derwent to enjoy, there’s more than enough at Chatsworth for an unforgettable day out.

Buses run regularly into the estate: 170 Hulleys, 217 Stagecoach, 218 TM Travel

Haddon Hall, Bakewell

Step into the past and experience the unique beauty of Haddon Hall, with magnificent rooms unchanged for centuries. Dating back to the 12th Century, Haddon Hall is one of England’s oldest and most historically important country houses, with a medieval Banqueting Hall still adorned with tapestries gifted to the family from King Henry VIII, wonderful Tudor Kitchens and a spectacular Elizabethan Long Gallery. Outside, the walls are covered with climbing roses and the terraced gardens cascade down the hillside to the River Wye.

Buses stop at the car park entrance with regular services from Buxton, Bakewell and Matlock onboard the Transpeak, 6.1 / SIXES TrentBarton, Hulleys 151, 170, 171, 172

Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath

The Heights of Abraham is Derbyshire’s oldest visitor attraction and has been delighting sightseers since 1787. Set high above the picturesque Derwent Valley, visitors can travel to the summit via a flight in a cable car, soaring in style to the wooded hilltop. Once within the historic 60 acre estate, relax and enjoy spectacular show caverns, fascinating exhibitions, landscaped gardens, peaceful woodland walks, sculpture trails, a restaurant and café, gift shops and children’s playgrounds.

Matlock Bath is served by regular services – Transpeak, 6.1 / SIXES TrentBarton and Stagecoach X17.

Gulliver’s Kingdom Theme Park, Matlock Bath

On the edge of the lively Derbyshire town of Matlock Bath, Gulliver’s Kingdom is a family-friendly theme park that’s designed particularly with younger children in mind. There are more than 60 rides and attractions just perfect for mini thrill-seekers aged between 2 and 13, including a Log Flume, Drop Tower, Pirate Ship, Roller Coaster, Zip Lines, Boat Rides and a wonderful Water Slide.

A short walk uphill from Matlock Bath - Transpeak, 6.1 / SIXES TrentBarton and Stagecoach X17.

Crich Tramway Village, near Matlock

Crich Tramway Village is a perfect visitor destination for the whole family. Here you can admire more than 60 historic trams from across the UK at the National Tramway Museum, and explore a beautifully-recreated period village, complete with a restored pub, tea room and olde-worlde shops. Vintage trams run regularly through the village, taking visitors on a ride for more than a mile into the surrounding countryside, with wonderful views for miles.

Served by the Little Travels 141 Ripley-Matlock bus service.

Buxton Crescent Experience, Buxton

Discover the fascinating history of the elegant spa town of Buxton in this all-weather attraction set within Buxton Crescent, an awe-inspiring Grade I listed building. Buxton is a town founded on water; for more than 10,000 years people have travelled to drink and bathe in the thermal mineral water that rises from beneath its rocks, and it is still bottled at source today. The Buxton Crescent Experience tells the story of this beautiful area and its development, with interactive elements to inform and entertain visitors of all ages.

A five minute walk from the market place bus stops. High Peak Buses operate services from Glossop, Stockport, Ashbourne, Derby, Manchester and Sheffield. The Skyline199 service operates until late 7 days a week.

Poole’s Cavern, Buxton

Explore limestone caverns that have delighted visitors for hundreds of years at Poole's Cavern. At this all-weather attraction, expert guides will recount the fascinating stories behind these cathedral-sized chambers, once inhabited by Stone Age settlers, and point out the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia. Returning to the surface, take a stroll through Buxton Country Park on the woodland sculpture trails to the viewpoint of Solomon’s Temple.

High Peak Buses run services to Buxton – 10 min walk from Broad Walk in Buxton to the Cavern.

Bolsover Castle, Bolsover

Bolsover Castle is every inch a fairytale castle. Built in the 17th Century as an extravagant retreat to impress royal guests, now managed by English Heritage, there is more than enough here to occupy the whole family for a day out. Discover the dramatic ruins of the Terrace Range, learn about the history of the Riding House, explore the lavish rooms inside the ‘Little Castle’ and stroll around the Garden with its dramatic Wall Walk.

1/1A service from Chesterfield connects to Bolsover, a short 4 min walk to the castle entrance.

Renishaw Hall & Gardens, near Chesterfield

Built in 1625, Renishaw Hall has been the family home of the Sitwell family for 400 years. It is open for guided tours on Fridays, when experienced guides will show you the lavish rooms, magnificent art and family heirlooms inside. From Wednesday to Sunday you can wander the award-winning Italianate gardens, or visit the Sitwell Museum, a must for history and literature enthusiasts.

Served by the 53 bus service from Sheffield - stop at the Golf Club with a 10 min walk through the estate to the Hall & Gardens entrance.

Hassop Station Café and Monsal Trail Cycle Hire, near Bakewell

Hassop Station is an airy former railway station building situated on the Monsal Trail, an old railway line that is now a traffic-free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users, running for 8.5 miles through stunning countryside between Bakewell and Chee Dale. Hassop Station is a destination in its own right, where you’ll find a fabulous gift and book shop and a great café. Outside there’s a terrace overlooking the trail and a covered patio with a children’s play area and outdoor seating. Around the back is a Cycle Hire facility, with year-round bike hire.

The Stagecoach X17 and new Peak Sightseer stop a 2 min walk from Hassop Station, cycle hire and café.

Cromford Mills, near Matlock

Cromford Mills were built by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1771 and became the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. The area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a fascinating day out for the whole family. Explore the historic Mill Yard, find out more about the area and its impact upon the world in the Visitor Centre, and discover the captivating story of Sir Richard Arkwright, told by the man himself through the wonders of CGI, in the Arkwright Experience. Afterwards, enjoy a bite to eat in the lovely café.

Stagecoach X17 offers a regular service from Sheffield, Chesterfield to Cromford.

Hop on the Breezer Bus Service

This summer your Derbyshire Wayfarer will also give you access to the new Breezer open top bus route in the Hope Valley. The Breezer, operated by Hulleys of Baslow, operates over weekends and bank holidays, and seven days a week during the school summer holidays (22 July – 3 September 2023).

The Breezer starts at Baslow Nether End and travels to Calver, Grindleford, Longshaw, Hathersage and Hope – before ending in Castleton.