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26 Peak District National Park Transpeak Bus passing by Haddon Hall (Photo: © Visit Peak District & Derbyshire) England's backbone, The Pennines, stretch south from the Scottish Borders to the Midlands; a great barrier of mountains, moorland and hills overflowing with magnificent scenery and a bountiful heritage from earliest times to the Industrial Revolution and beyond. The southern parts of this formidable natural divide are designated as The Peak District National Park, England's first when created in 1951. The area is one of great contrasts, created by a horseshoe-shaped flank of gritstone; the Dark Peak, enclosing a softer limestone core, the White Peak. The Dark Peak's wind-riffled moors, shapely tops and deep valleys are popular with ramblers seeking a wilder edge to their day; the White Peak's extraordinary gorges, rich meadows and memorable villages offer equally satisfying rewards for lowland walkers and travellers. The Peak has perhaps the best bus network of any of our national parks, one of which is the core 'Transpeak' service run by Trent Barton, linking Manchester and Nottingham across the heart of the National Park. Escaping south from the suburbs of Manchester, the route follows the Goyt Valley, a glorious gash in the flank of the gritstone with a wealth of easy canalside rambles, country pubs and a superb heritage walk between New Mills and Whaley Bridge, including the spectacular Millennium Walkway suspended above the river. Climbing steadily, Buxton's famous spa, gardens and cultural heritage are a few steps from the central Market Place bus interchange. Country services radiate in all directions; the 442 to Hartington and fabulous Wolfscote Dale; the 58 across the famous Cat & Fiddle road or the 65/66 to Tideswell and Eyam. Buxton is also the prelude to another memorable valley route on the Transpeak, this time the sublime Wye Valley which slices deep into the limestone of the White Peak, a wooded wonderland leading to Bakewell's medieval bridge, bustling town centre, riverside walks and famous pudding shop. Bakewell is also the hub of a local bus grid run by Hulleys (the 170-177 series), stretching to Chatsworth's mansion and estate; Lathkil Dale's superlative limestone gorges, the high plateau and countless pretty villages of pale-stone cottages and tree-shaded greens. The Transpeak continues its journey via medieval Haddon Hall, featured in countless films, to Rowsley (for the Peak Rail steam trains), Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford's World Heritage Sites at Derwent Valley Mills, all just beyond the fringe of the National Park. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk See also - Transport for Greater Manchester - Wayfarer Ticket
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