Quickview
Local Bus Services
There is a local bus route which runs between Buxton and Ashbourne
Times and pick up points should be checked locally as they do tend to change season dependant
108 - Buxton - Leek
- Waterhouses - Ashbourne
Monday – Fridays (Outbound) Timing Points
NSch – Does not operate on school days
Sch – Operates only on school days
Peak Wildlife Park
Winkhill, Leek, ST13 7QR
2.5 miles from Rhodes to Serenity
Waterhouses to Manifold Valley Walk
Venture through the Peak District’s Manifold Valley, taking in views of Thor’s Cave, the River Manifold, Dovedale and Ilam Park.
The Manifold Track, a favourite for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, follows the route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway, through the Manifold and Hamps Valleys from Waterhouses to Hulme End.
The track is surfaced and fairly level throughout its length, making it ideal for wheelchair users, those with buggies or prams and people with limited mobility. Watch out for the rivers of the Manifold and Hamps as they disappear beneath the porous limestone and reappear in Ilam Country Park.
Climb the steps to Thor’s Cave (250 ft above the track) for magnificent views across the valley. There are Car Parking areas at both ends of the track and at Intermediate locations. Cycles can be hires at Waterhouses. Plus picnic tables, cycle racks and fully accessible toilets at Hulme End.
2.2 miles from Rhodes to Serenity
Chatsworth House
Explore Chatsworth Garden, the ever-evolving garden surrounding one of Derbyshire’s most popular country houses. The 105-acre garden is the product of nearly 500 years of careful cultivation and includes an arboretum, rock garden, fountains, sculptures and more.
Marvel at the historic and modern waterworks, discover hidden gems or find your own favourite spot – the historic garden has something for everyone.
Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
less than 28 miles away from Rhodes to Serenity
Brown End Cycle Hire – Manifold Track
It is easy to find the Manifold Way as there are plenty of signposts, especially as you enter Waterhouses on the A523 between Ashbourne and Leek. We have always parked in the Waterhouse’s Peak District Car Park, which is signposted – if you look for the Ye Old Crown Hotel and then turn onto Earlesway Road, go under the bridge, you will find the entrance to the car park on the left.
The Manifold Way runs on the disused railway line from Waterhouses to Hulme End for 8.25 miles. It is ideal for cycling and walking for all ages. I think it is especially ideal for children cycling as any slopes are steady – they hardly notice them. We have cycled the route a number of times with our 3 boys when they were younger.
The route is also used more now by professional cyclists who are linking other cycling routes in the Peak District, as the Manifold Way it is part of the National Cycling Network (Route 549).
The Manifold Way, Waterhouses, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 3JR
2.2 miles from Rhodes to Serenity
The Roaches
Whether you’re an eager climber, an enthusiastic walker or a keen naturalist, the Roaches offers something for everyone. Its magnificent soaring rock faces and wild, heather-covered hillsides draw tens of thousands of visitors each year, and make it one of Staffordshire’s most photographed landscapes.
As well as being a popular place for recreation, the Roaches is an amazing place for wildlife. In fact, the area is protected both nationally and internationally for its wildlife and rare wild habitats. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and forming part of the South Pennine Moor Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area, the Roaches consists of numerous internationally important habitats including blanket bog and upland moorland. There are also many specialist breeding and wintering birds such as curlew, red grouse and tree pipit.
The Roaches, Leek ST13 8UQ
Dovedale – Thorpe Cloud
Known for the River Dove and it’s impressive limestone ravines, but the most iconic part of a trip to Dovedale has to be the picturesque stepping stones…Arriving at the nearby car park, where you can also be tempted by snacks and refreshments, it’s just a short walk up and across a wooden bridge to get to the River Dove, where you can look up onto Thorpe Cloud.
Thorpe Cloud is an isolated limestone hill, which sits between the villages of Ilam and Thorpe and lies right on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. It’s highest point has an elevation of 287 metres, which is quite a quick and steep ascent, but one with lots of views across the Staffordshire and Derbyshire countryside once you’re at the top.
Following the River Dove up towards the stepping stones you can cross and climb to the top of Thorpe Cloud, giving fantastic panoramic views of the Peak District.
For a more family friendly walk, you can continue up passed Thorpe Cloud and carry on up along the river. There’s lots of great wildlife and woodland to explore along this riverside stroll, and the path is very clear and flat which is a plus point for families with small children.
If you’d rather take more of a walk to enjoy the Peak District countryside and arrive in Dovedale along the way, there are a few good locations to start. For example, the River Dove flows through Milldale, which is a great starting point for the walk down through Dovedale to the stepping stones, as well as Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale. Here there are also a network of footpaths and walks either along the river or over the surrounding countryside.
Dovedale, Ashbourne DE6 2BD
Please note there is a £3.50 charge for parking for up to 4 hours
On-site light refreshments
Public Toilets
Sudbury Hall
George Vernon inherited Sudbury in the 1660s and spent the next 42 years transforming his ancestor’s smaller mansion into the present Hall. Although Vernon was a member of a modest county family he married advantageously into wealthy families, boosting his political and social ambitions while providing the funds necessary to achieve his grandiose architectural vision.
Whilst Sudbury dates from the reign of Charles II, it is Jacobean in conception with a long gallery and a great staircase. The interior boasts sophisticated plasterwork by James Pettifer and Samuel Mansfield of Derby, fine carvings by Edward Pierce, an overmantel by Grinling Gibbons and murals by Louis Laguerre. Vernon kept the traditional structure preferred by the Tudors with the staterooms at the east and the service rooms to the west.
Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England, DE6 5HT
Car park
Food / Drink
Public Toilets
The Yew Tree Inn, Cauldon
The Yew Tree at Cauldon is an Aladdin’s Cave of antiques, curios, music machines and motorcycles. The collection includes a pair of Queen Victoria’s stockings, a 3,000-year-old Grecian urn, Penny Farthing and Bone Shaker bicycles. There is also the famous ‘Acme Dog Carrier’, an array of unusual musical instruments including an ancient Serpent. The seating is equally interesting with antique benches, church pews & settles. The pub is very dog friendly, and you will most likely be met by a very barky but friendly dog called Maude as you enter the pub!
Church Lane, Cauldon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 3EJ
Less than 20 minute walk away
Red Lion Inn Waterfall
01538 308279
The Red Lion Inn, Waterfall, Waterhouses, ST10 3HZ
Weaver Walk
Greendale to Cauldon
This section of the Weaver Walk passes through Upper Moorend Farm en-route to the Yew Tree
Starting
Greendale, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 3AW
Ending
Yew Tree Inn, Church Ln, Cauldon, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 3EJ
Swineholes Wood – Ipstones Edge
Swineholes Wood is a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve and a designated SSSI by Natural England of 46ha. The site consists of three parcels of land in close proximity: Swineholes Wood, Black Heath and Casey Banks. It is considered an important heathland area in the Staffordshire Moorlands, with dwarf shrub heath, grassland and wetland features. Grid reference SK 050 501.
Species of note include marsh violet, meadow pipit, cuckoo, heather, bog asphode
Ipstones Edge Ipstones Staffordshire ST13 7QX
Churnet Valley Railway
Runs from Froghall or Cheadlton, various themed events – Christmas, Halloween, Gin Train, Kids Activities, Dining, Tea etc.
*Track has removed from Bradnop to Cauldon, not heard of any plans to replace and reopen
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) plc Froghall, Staffordshire, ST10 2HA
Froghall Wharf
Now a sleepy end to the Caldon Canal, two centuries ago Froghall Wharf was a thriving industrial transport hub, equipped with lime kilns, warehousing and a meeting point for both the canal and railway networks. It is hard to imagine that the wharf was once the busy loading point for limestone brought down the tramways from the quarries at Cauldon Low.
Now the area is a growing leisure destination.
Helen sent us this reminiscence: I used to play in the Froghall Valley as a child, we used to walk along Hazles Cross Road in Kingsley Village, along the Sprink, past the old ‘pop’ factory and down the banks to Froghall.
Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
The Black Lion, Consall
Ramblers Retreat
Is truly one of Staffordshire’s hidden gems. This enchanting and beautiful valley is a haven for walkers, nature lovers and those seeking tranquillity and spectacular scenery.
Forming part of the Churnet Valley in the Staffordshire Moorlands it is located between Alton and Oakamoor and is managed by Forestry England, in partnership with us here at the Ramblers Retreat.
Dimmingsdale’s beauty and tranquillity has been recognised by regional and national media – The Sunday Times stated Dimmingsdale was one of the most beautiful places to walk in winter, Midlands’s television stated it as one of the best places to view Autumnal colours and it regularly features in regional press as one of Staffordshire’s hidden gems. Affectionately known as “Little Switzerland” and “Fairy Glen” it was also described by a priest as “the closest place to heaven”.
Ramblers Retreat, Dimmingsdale, Alton, ST10 4BU
Cottage Kitchen
The Cottage Kitchen is a great meeting place to catch up with friends over coffee. As well as the café and bakery, we have a gift shop offering a wide variety of foodie and unusual gifts from small independent suppliers. We can cater for all your family celebrations from baby showers to wedding breakfasts. There is a play area to keep the little ones entertained while you chat. And your doggie friends are welcome to join you in our outside seating area. With so much on offer, we are confident you will agree with us that the Cottage Kitchen is not just a café!
Ashbourne Road, Winkhill, ST13 7PN
Alton Towers
Alton Towers Resort is the UK’s number one theme park and is home to some of the world’s most iconic rides, from Nemesis to The Smiler.
Set around the historic Towers Estate within 800 acres of stunning countryside, the resort has been attracting visitors from across the country since the gardens were first opened in 1924. From the fun and thrills of the theme park, to the soothing spa and themed hotels, the resort provides a range of attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB
The Peak District National Park
With plenty of stunning scenery, wildlife and great activities to choose from to keep both young and old entertained. As the second most visited national park in the world, the Peak District offers everything from quaint villages, bustling market towns and historic houses to stunning scenery, superb walking and cycle paths.