See dramatic scenery, quaint villages and historic viaducts along the Hope Valley Line.
As you journey through Hope, Edale and Cowburn Tunnel you’ll pass rugged hillsides and beautiful valleys. Dramatic cliff edges attract rock-climbers and hand-gliders between Bamford, Hathersage and Grindleford.
Get your walking boots ready and explore the Peak District National Park, the first national park in Britain. The Hope Valley Line provides easy access to the stunning area perfect for outdoor adventures.
The Manchester to Strines section of the journey is supported by South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership and from News Mills Central to Sheffield is supported by High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership. These partnerships are part of a growing grassroots movement across Britain, engaging communities and helping people get the most from their railways.
Highlights
Explore charming towns and villages full of historic interest
Delightful country pubs and hotels with character for you to relax in
Brilliant for outdoor activities and country walks
Find out more
Getting there
Sheffield Station (S1 2BP) has a large car park. Manchester Piccadilly Station (M60 7RA) has a large car park.
A large number of bus routes serve Sheffield Station and Manchester Piccadilly Station. To look up bus times to and from either station, plan your journey on the Traveline website.
Route
Cost
Opening times

Plan your trip
Take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield. Trains are frequent (look up train times) and take approximately 50 minutes.
Discover 'Station Connections' a series of inspiring artworks by local artist Eamonn Murphy and South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership. The art tells the story of the communities served by stations along the Hope Valley Line from Manchester Piccadilly to Strines. Take a look at the artwork and find out more here...
Accommodation along the line – All the towns and villages along the Hope Valley Line have Bed & Breakfast accommodation and some also have small hotels. Hathersage and Edale are particularly attractive places to stay in the countryside.
Grindleford Station is the access point for The Longshaw Estate, a large area of open moorland and rugged cliffs owned by the National Trust. Outstanding walking country with many fine scenic views. Enjoy a cup of tea at the Station Café.
From Hathersage Station you can visit Little John’s Grave (of Robin Hood fame) in St. Michaels Churchyard, or go for a swim in the Outdoor Swimming Pool. The village is overlooked by Stanage Edge, an impressive gritstone cliff much loved by rock-climbers. Also, try the delightful riverside walk between Hathersage and Grindleford. Or how about the Jane Eyre Hathersage Trail? This circular film and literature walk takes you to the places visited by Charlotte Bronte which appear in her book “Jane Eyre”.
Bamford has the nearest station (about 2 miles away) to the Derwent Dams, famously used by the Lancaster bomber airplanes of 617 Squadron in World War ll to practice using their bouncing bombs for the “Dambuster Raids” against Germany. Also, try the community-owned Anglers Rest pub/café/post office in the heart of Bamford village for refreshments.
Hope Station is the access point for the villages of Hope, Bradwell and Castleton. In Hope itself, the ancient parish church of St Peter is full of unusual historic features. Bradwell has Bagshawe Cavern - a largely natural cave system discovered by lead miners in 1806. It is open by arrangement for instructor-led 'Adventure caving for beginners'. The village of Castleton, 2 miles from Hope Station, is famous for the ruin of Peveril Castle high up on a hillside, and also the astonishing underground show caves of Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern.
Edale is a small and charming village well-known by ramblers as the start of the long-distance Pennine Way Footpath from the Peak District right up to the Scottish Borders, 270 miles away. Pubs and cafes in the village are full of character, and The Moorland Centre, run by the Peak District National Park, is full of interesting facts about the history, geography and wildlife you can find in the area. (P.S. Look out for hang-gliders overhead on a fine summer day!)
Chinley Station. Chinley village is beautifully situated with plenty of country walks nearby. A walk up Chinley Churn or Cracken Edge gives an excellent viewpoint across the area. If canal boats interest you, then do visit the Canal Basin at Bugsworth, one mile west of Chinley.
New Mills. Very near to New Mills Central Station, The Torrs Riverside Park offers spectacular views of the River Goyt and the deep gorge it has created below the town centre, with interesting items of industrial archeology to see along the way. Walk over the spectacular Millenium Walkway, an elevated steel footpath immediately above the River Goyt, which allows walkers to cross the section of river where the railway embankment blocks the way. Call in at New Mills Heritage Centre, near Central Station, to see displays on the fascinating history of New Mills, a model of the town as it was in 1884, and a shop selling guide-books, tea and coffee. Not far from the town centre you can gain access to The Sett Valley Trail - a cycle and walking trail which follows the route of the former railway between Hayfield and New Mills. It is approximately 4km long and winds it way along the bottom of the Sett Valley through magnificent scenery.
Strines Station. A station in a very rural location from which you can take the pleasant one mile walk to Roman Bridges Lake, a huge lake which you can walk or cycle around. A great day out with great places to stop for a picnic.
More lines to explore nearby
Crewe - Manchester
Mid Cheshire Line
North Staffordshire Line
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/03/2017 - 10:54