The Peak District National Park covers 555 square miles of Northern England, of which roughly 20% is in Staffordshire.
Britain’s first national park, the Peak District National Park is diverse and beautiful, with the Staffordshire section offering the spectacular ruggedness of The Roaches next to the rolling hills of the Manifold Valley.
Peak District National Park things to do
As well as losing yourself on a walk or bike ride in stunning countryside, the Peak District National Park is awash with picturesque villages and hamlets, inspiring architecture, and activities to get your heart racing.
There’s Flash, the highest village in England, and the quintessentially English cobbled streets of Longnor, like something from a period TV drama.
There’s the gorgeous Ilam Park, a sumptuous 19th Century property with magnificent Italian gardens and the breath-taking Church of the Holy Cross.
And there’s more than 700 thrilling rock climbing routes to tackle at The Roaches, which is also popular with walkers, cyclists and hang gliders – the perfect spot for blowing away those cobwebs.
How to get to the Peak District National Park
The Peak District National Park is close to several major Staffordshire conurbations, including Stoke-on-Trent and Leek, so it’s easily accessible.
By road, it’s a short drive from the M6 using Junction 15 or 16, or from the M1 Junction 25.
By rail, the closest stations are at Stoke-on-Trent (40 minutes drive) and Uttoxeter (29 mins).
There are no direct bus services from these stations, but connections from Stoke-on-Trent via Leek are available.
Within the Staffordshire Peak District, Moorlands Connect is an on-demand bus service, which can take you to Leek, Cheadle, and the surrounding villages, as well as places like Alton Towers, the Manifold Trail, The Roaches and Tittesworth Water.
It’s available 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday (and 9am-5pm on Sundays from April to September), and you can book by calling 01335 342951 or using the Moorlands Connect app, which is available from the App Store and Google Play.
