See dramatic scenery, quaint villages and historic viaducts along the Hope Valley Line.

Take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield. Trains are frequent (look up train times) and take approximately 50 minutes.

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.