Peak District

[ziontrain]

Hi all

I'm thinking of heading to the Peaks next year at some point for a bit of a jolly. I've identified the below as a starting point, both for roads to drive and things to see/do (I'll be taking the missus with me). I'd be grateful for suggested amendments and additions, or just thoughts in general.

Thanks!


https://classictravelling.com/peak-district/

[Shaw Tarse]

I think Cat & Fiddle is supposed to be a bit boring these days?

[95JO]

Too lazy to cross reference it, but be sure to check out Woodhead Pass - Also, worth stopping off at Derwent Dam/Ladybower Reservoir... I'd recommend Snake Pass too (depending on the time of day you'll be driving, as it can be very frustrating at peak times

[ziontrain]

95JO said:

Too lazy to cross reference it, but be sure to check out Woodhead Pass - Also, worth stopping off at Derwent Dam/Ladybower Reservoir... I'd recommend Snake Pass too (depending on the time of day you'll be driving, as it can be very frustrating at peak times

I believe those are all covered on the second day. Also, this is for you

[RTB]

Shaw Tarse said:

I think Cat & Fiddle is supposed to be a bit boring these days?

I drive it every day and over the summer in my Exige it's great fun if you have a clear day and a quiet road.
There are average speed cameras up there but only the ones between the Cat and Fiddle pub and the Congleton turn off have had any power cables laid to them. The others (on the interesting twisty bits) don't work.

[Shaw Tarse]

RTB said:

Shaw Tarse said:

I think Cat & Fiddle is supposed to be a bit boring these days?

I drive it every day and over the summer in my Exige it's great fun if you have a clear day and a quiet road.
There are average speed cameras up there but only the ones between the Cat and Fiddle pub and the Congleton turn off have had any power cables laid to them. The others (on the interesting twisty bits) don't work.

OP ignore me & listen to those who know

[Tickle]

Even though its closer (distance not travel time) than N Wales the Peaks never really do it for me as a place for early morning drive. Lovely place, but I find it similar to the Lake District for driving.

[95JO]

Tickle said:

Even though its closer (distance not travel time) than N Wales the Peaks never really do it for me as a place for early morning drive. Lovely place, but I find it similar to the Lake District for driving.

Forest of Bowland > Yorkshire Dales > N Wales > Peak District > Lake District

[ziontrain]

Tickle said:

Even though its closer (distance not travel time) than N Wales the Peaks never really do it for me as a place for early morning drive. Lovely place, but I find it similar to the Lake District for driving.

I'm in Norfolk, so hills are an entirely foreign concept to me. We did N Wales earlier this year, great fun but a PITA to get to!

[Tickle]

95JO said:

Forest of Bowland > Yorkshire Dales > N Wales > Peak District > Lake District

N Wales > Yorkshire Dales > Forest of Bowland > Lake District > Peak District for me.

I can get to all within an hour, some under 30 mins but I prefer N Wales. Not sure if it familiarity or the ease of travel to/from.

On topic, try and do your 'Driving' as early as possible before everyone gets up, out and on the road.

[95JO]

Tickle said:

N Wales > Yorkshire Dales > Forest of Bowland > Lake District > Peak District for me.

I can get to all within an hour, some under 30 mins but I prefer N Wales. Not sure if it familiarity or the ease of travel to/from.

On topic, try and do your 'Driving' as early as possible before everyone gets up, out and on the road.

Similar for me, I live in Widnes, I always comment how conveniently placed we are in the NW to my girlfriend when out on drives, she doesn't seem to care

[Tickle]

95JO said:

Tickle said:

N Wales > Yorkshire Dales > Forest of Bowland > Lake District > Peak District for me.

I can get to all within an hour, some under 30 mins but I prefer N Wales. Not sure if it familiarity or the ease of travel to/from.

On topic, try and do your 'Driving' as early as possible before everyone gets up, out and on the road.

Similar for me, I live in Widnes, I always comment how conveniently placed we are in the NW to my girlfriend when out on drives, she doesn't seem to care

Your new bridge has done wonders for my breakfast runs to N Wales, not so happy each time I forget to pay though

[95JO]

Tickle said:

Your new bridge has done wonders for my breakfast runs to N Wales, not so happy each time I forget to pay though

I only moved here 2 months ago, I was chuffed to find out that residents get unlimited passes for £10 a year! I've been sure to utilise it at any opportunity. Getting my moneys worth and all that

[Tickle]

ziontrain said:

I'm in Norfolk, so hills are an entirely foreign concept to me. We did N Wales earlier this year, great fun but a PITA to get to!

Ha, fair enough. No shortage of hills (peaks)!

Hope, Edale and Castleton are nice but busy. Not sure what time of year you plan on going, but if its the winter/colder months the Snake has a habit of being closed due to snow/ice. I work in Manchester City Centre, it can be ok weather here yet the Snake will experience extremes, much to the annoyance of coworkers who live that way. worth considering if driving the route in colder seasons.

[Shrimpvende]

I live in the peaks (Nr Ashbourne) but still travel to the Yorkshire Dales or North Wales for driving trips. I find that the good roads here are few and far between and the scenery isn't anywhere near as dramatic. The other spoiler is that lots of roads in Derbyshire are now 50mph rather than NSL, and I've noticed more and more camera vans out and about.

Snake pass is notorious for camera vans, even one that looks more knackered builders van than shiny stickered up obvious ones. I've never had much fun on that road, always too busy with normally a couple of people being silly and overtaking long lines of cars where it isn't really safe to do so. Last time I was there it was a Ferrari 599 vs a Mini JCW weaving around everyone and bunching traffic up as a result.

Somewhere I'd definitely recommend is for your south leg, rather than the B5053 from Alstonefield up to Longnor, that you instead take it south to Onecote then pick up 'Blakelow Road' and take that up to the Paul Rey viewpoint (good for pics) up to the A53, then from there head to Longnor. This is one of my favourite stretches as it's a well sighted road with fast corners and no cameras. It's also usually very quiet as it doesn't really link any major places. I'll upload some pics when I'm back on my home PC.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Paul+Rey,+View+Poi...

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.1427078,-1.9446121...

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.1334798,-1.9587264...

[popeyewhite]

Shrimpvende said:

Somewhere I'd definitely recommend is for your south leg, rather than the B5053 from Alstonefield up to Longnor, that you instead take it south to Onecote then pick up 'Blakelow Road' and take that up to the Paul Rey viewpoint (good for pics) up to the A53, then from there head to Longnor. This is one of my favourite stretches as it's a well sighted road with fast corners and no cameras. It's also usually very quiet as it doesn't really link any major places.

Good advice. Normally roads around there are quiet and there's some very nice pubs. I notice the OP has sort of centralised Bakewell but I'd steer well clear. See the country house, then leave the area. It's full of tourists and roads are generally clogged. As is the C+A and Snake/Woodhead. Though the pass over to Holmfirth from Woodhead (Holme Moss) is worth a look, and a drive through Edale over Mam Tor is worthwhile.

[ziontrain]

popeyewhite said:

Good advice. Normally roads around there are quiet and there's some very nice pubs. I notice the OP has sort of centralised Bakewell but I'd steer well clear. See the country house, then leave the area. It's full of tourists and roads are generally clogged. As is the C+A and Snake/Woodhead. Though the pass over to Holmfirth from Woodhead (Holme Moss) is worth a look, and a drive through Edale over Mam Tor is worthwhile.

Bakewell/Baslow are centralised as that's where the route I nicked uses as a base to stay. Was the first google result for peak district driving tour and covered off Cat&Fiddle, Woodhead, Snake Pass, Winnats.

[popeyewhite]

ziontrain said:

Bakewell/Baslow are centralised as that's where the route I nicked uses as a base to stay. Was the first google result for peak district driving tour and covered off Cat&Fiddle, Woodhead, Snake Pass, Winnats.

I'd either stay in Buxton or one of the many excellent country pubs within a 10 mile radius of Buxton. It's realistically just as central as Bakewell with more, and quicker, road options.