Travel Information

Read on for travel information to make your journey to the Staffordshire Moorlands an easy option, whatever the route. Our central location makes the district convenient to reach from every part of the UK. 

Getting to the Staffordshire Moorlands 

Are we there yet? You soon will be! Getting here includes easy road links from the M1 and M6 motorways and major arterial routes, which help you make light work of journeys by road. Meanwhile if you prefer to travel by rail, train journeys are on the right track with Stoke and Derby main line stations less than one hour away. Blythe Bridge railway station in the village of Blythe Bridge is served by trains on the Crewe to Derby Line via Stoke On Trent. 

The Staffordshire Moorlands is midway between Manchester, Birmingham and East Midlands Airports, while public transport connects the dots to key locations for getting around. 

Visits to all parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands are possible by car, with a wide variety of low-cost car parks dotted across the district that provide easy access to places to visit. Some even include nice touches such as picnic benches, and food and drink facilities, providing you with a convenient and warm welcome. 

Travel times to the Staffordshire Moorlands 

How long does it take to get to the Staffordshire Moorlands? We’ve researched travel times, and below you’ll find a list of the average driving times from some of the UK’s main cities: 

London – 3hrs 45mins 

Cardiff – 3hrs 45mins 

Edinburgh – 5hrs 15mins 

Birmingham – 1hr 20mins 

Manchester – 1hr 15mins 

Liverpool – 1hr 45mins 

Leeds – 2hrs  

Bristol – 3hrs  

Getting around the Staffordshire Moorlands is easy! Whether you arrive by road, rail or air - as counties go Staffordshire must be one of the most well connected. The Peak District National Park enjoys an extensive public transport network, enabling you to have a full day out exploring the area without using the car. Getting to the Peak District couldn't be easier by train or bus, and regular services link many of the area's most popular destinations.

Travel by bus

Travelling by bus in the Staffordshire Moorlands is a fantastic way to see more of the incredible countryside, whether you’re off exploring or heading into town. It's easy, affordable, and a great way to sit back and enjoy the ride without the hassle of driving.

Moorlands Connect offers flexible and affordable bus travel and operates every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The service allows you to book a ride from an app on your phone or by calling 01335 342 951. Book on the day or up to 28 days in advance.

Link to app - Download the Moorlands Connect app on the App Store or Google Play. When you book on the app or by phone, you'll be told your pickup time and kept up to date if anything changes.

Moorlands Connect can pick up and drop off anywhere within the Moorlands, or get you into Leek, Ashbourne, Buxton and Cheadle. You can also connect to scheduled buses to go to Macclesfield, Hanley or Derby.

If you would like your bus to arrive at a specific time, select 'arrive by' when booking your journey.  Full details are given when you book and what to do when you come back. There’s space for one person in a wheelchair on each minibus - please advise on booking.

You’ll also find bus links running directly from major towns across the Peak District and beyond bringing you direct to many of the Moorland’s popular tourist attractions. Traveline’s website has an excellent journey planner function featuring bus and train timetables across the Moorlands.

https://www.traveline.info/about-traveline/traveline-services/

The Knot: Take advantage of the specially priced day ticket, The Knot, which provides unlimited travel on participating bus services within the Staffordshire County Council area: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Transport/Buses/Plan-your-journey/The-Knot.aspx

Take the car

The Staffordshire Moorlands is crisscrossed with A and B roads, linking the three towns of Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek. They allow an easy way to explore the county, along picturesque routes. The Moorlands’ more rural parts are characterised by single lane roads, which make getting around slower, but worth it for the stunning scenery you’ll encounter.

Getting about by bike

The Staffordshire Moorlands’ rural charm of tracks and trails and reasonably quiet roads have wooed many tourists who enjoy cycling, including National Cycle Network Routes, 55 and 550 – safe, traffic-free paths and quiet on-road cycling routes that connect towns and cities with the countryside.

Car parks

Managed by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, there is ample car parking availability in Leek, Biddulph and Cheadle. Car park ticket machines accept 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins and do not give change.

Card payments accepted via the pay and display machines.

You can also pay for parking in all council owned car parks via the PayByPhone application.

Charging days: Monday to Saturday (free on Sundays and public holidays)

Season tickets allow you to park without paying at the time. General season tickets are available as 3, 6 or 12 monthly permits. If you are a regular user of the Moorlands car parks you may save money if you buy a season ticket. 

Cost of season tickets 3 months - £105, 6 months - £200, 12 months - £390

Leek - Angle Street, Brook Street, Buxton Road (Earl Street), High Street. Joliffe Street, Market Place, Market Street East and West, Moorlands House, Queen Street, Regent Street, Silk Street, Smithfield South, Stockwell Street, St Edward Street, Vicarage Road. The Smithfield North car park in Leek is a permit holder car park offering parking for an annual charge of £370.

Biddulph -Wharf Road, 8am to 6pm.

Cheadle - Tape Street & Well Street, 8am – 6pm.

Blue Badge holders

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council offers free parking for Blue Badge holders.  Please park within the bay marking lines and display your Blue Badge clearly on the dashboard.

If using a short stay car park, please display the clock set at the time of arrival next to the Blue Badge and ensure that you do not exceed the maximum stay of the car park. If there are no Blue Badge holder bays available, you can use the standard parking bays which are a little narrower.