Beyond Buxton

Buxton is a great base for your exploration of the Peak District and its many visitor attractions!

Bus information last updated 16.04.2025

Surrounded by the UK’s oldest National Park, wherever you fancy going, beautiful journeys await in every direction. And with bus routes, train links, car hire and cycling routes, there are many sustainable travel options.

Below are a variety of suggestions for days out, all within an hour of Buxton.

Find out more about the National Park on our PDNP page here.

To see more local attractions, see the Visit Peak District & Derbyshire website.

Check out our Peak District guides:

Chatsworth

The magnificent Chatsworth Estate is only half an hour’s drive from Buxton (15 miles). Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, passed down through sixteen generations of the Cavendish Family, Chatsworth is a spectacular place to visit. Recently renovated, it is renowned for its art, landscape, gardens, farmyard, adventure playground and farm shop.

Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 IPP.
Opening times vary throughout the year and for special occasions.

The 58 bus goes direct to Chatsworth from Buxton on Sundays and Public/Bank Holidays from Stand A on the Market Place: Otherwise you will need to take the Transpeak 3 from Stand B on the Market Place and change at Bakewell: take the 218 from Stand D in Rutland Square.

Peak Wildlife Park

With just a 30 minute drive south of Buxton you can discover Peak Wildlife Park and its walkthroughs featuring exotic and endangered animals from across three continents. Whether you love lemurs, have a passion for penguins or want to wander with the wallabies, the park has something for you. Get hands on with the animals, book a guided tour with a keeper or explore the indoor play area.

Winkhill, Leek, ST13 7QR.
Open daily.

To get there by bus, take the 108 bus to Ashbourne via Leek (stop: Pethillshead Lane). Alternatively, bus X99 runs direct from Buxton on Sundays during the spring and summer (not running in 2025).

Crich Tramway Village

Tram rides, tram museum, exhibitions, collections, sculpture trail, recreated village and special events throughout the year just a 45 minute drive southeast from Buxton.

Nr Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP.
Seasonal opening times. Accessible and dogs welcome.

By bus, take the Transpeak 3 to Matlock and change for the 140 (or 141 or 142) to Crich (stop: Tramway Museum).

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall has welcomed visitors for hundreds of years and was famed for its hospitable owners. Privately owned by the Duke and Duchess of Rutland and often used as a filming location, its beautiful gardens and atmospheric medieval manor house take you back in time. A beautiful 30 minute drive from Buxton along the A6 through Bakewell.

Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1LA.
Open daily March-September and for special events October-February.

By bus, take the Transpeak 3 to Matlock (stop: Haddon Hall).

Thornbridge Hall & Gardens

A Grade II-listed, private family home in the Derbyshire Dales, previously the seat of the Longsdon family from the 12th until the late 18th century. It is home to Thornbridge Brewery and 12 acres of quirky and quintessentially English gardens which are open to the public.

A 20 minute drive from Buxton along the A6 toward Bakewell and A6020

Thornbridge Hall, Baslow Road, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire, DE45 1NZ
Open daily.

The nearest bus is the Transpeak 3 to Matlock (stop: Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water).

Peak Rail Heritage Railway

Operating for four miles between Matlock and Rowsley, the Peak Rail Heritage Railway gives you a taste of what was one of the most scenic railway journeys in the country, along the beautiful Derwent and Wye Valleys.

With special events throughout the year and a restaurant on board, this is a must-do for those wanting an atmospheric, unique experience in the Peak District.

Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NA

By bus, take the Transpeak 3 to Matlock (stop: Northwood Lane) and walk along Harrison Way.

Naze View Farm Alpaca Experience

Walk with alpacas and learn about these wonderful animals.

Naze View Farm, Tunstead Milton, Whaley Bridge, SK23 7ER

By bus, take the Skyline 199 to Whaley Bridge (stop: Tom Lane).

Arbor Low & Gib Hill

A prehistoric stone-circle and burial mound on the limestone plateau of the White Peak. Situated just off the A515, it is a 20 minute drive southeast from Buxton. It is managed by English Heritage and the Peak District National Park Authority and is free to enter, although a £1 charge is issued by the landowner through whose land access is made. For more information, visit the Visit Peak District & Derbyshire website here.

Long Rake, Monyash, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1JS.
There is a small carpark on the track up to Upper Oldhams Farm ~300m away from the circle.

To travel by bus, take the 441 to Ashbourne (stop: The Rake) and walk along Long Rake.

Alton Towers

The Alton Towers Resort is a 30-45 minute drive south of Buxton. Featuring a theme park, waterpark, CBeebies Land, spa and a golf course.

Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB.
Open daily variable closing times.

Bus X99 runs to Alton Towers from Buxton on Sundays during the spring and summer (not running in 2025). Alternatively, take the 441/442 to Ashbourne, the swift to Uttoxeter and then 32A/X41 to Alton Towers.

Lyme

Managed by the National Trust, the Lyme estate contains a glorious house (the Pemberley of the BBC’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice), landscaped gardens (including the famous lake!), moorland and deer park and with tearoom, exhibitions and special events throughout the year. A 20-30 minute drive from Buxton to Disley, northwest via Long Hill or north via the A6.

Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR

Take the train from Buxton to Disley or, by bus, take the Skyline 199 to Manchester Airport (stop: Lyme Park) and walk through the grounds.

Peveril Castle

Imposing ruins of one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses standing high above Castleton. Explore the castle keep, marvel at the breathtaking views and learn about the Royal Forest of the Peak at the visitor centre. Managed by English Heritage.

A 20 minute drive over to Castleton north from Buxton on the A6 with a right turn at Barmoor Clough towards Sparrowpit. Park in the central car park and walk through the village up to the castle.

Market Place, Castleton, Derbyshire, S33 8WQ

To travel from Buxton to Castleton via bus, take the 62 Peak Pathfinder (stop: bus station).

Heights of Abraham

Caverns, cable cars, mines, woodland walks, playgrounds, heritage exhibition, Victorian towers, need we say more! The Heights of Abraham, just on the edge of the Peak District National Park, has been welcoming visitors since the 1780s. A 40 minute drive southeast from Buxton down the A6 to Matlock or down the A515 to Newhaven then turn left toward Cromford.

Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, DE4 3NT
Open daily

By bus, take the Transpeak 3 to Matlock (Final stop: interchange) and then the Transpeak 2 to Derby (stop: Cable Car, Matlock Bath)

Blaze Farm

An award-winning farm in Wildboarclough in Macclesfield Forest famous for its Hilly Billy Ice Cream. With nature trails, tearoom, ceramic and craft studio ‘The Potty Sheep’ and farm animals. A 15 minute drive from Buxton along the A54 toward Congleton.

Wildboarclough, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 0BL.
Open year round. Cash only.

No bus service.