Accessible Guide to the Peak District

Located in the heart of northern England, the Peak District offers excellent access from across the country, with superb train, bus and road links from many major UK cities.

While much of the Peak District lies within Derbyshire, the National Park also extends into Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. Covering 555 square miles, it was the very first National Park in the United Kingdom.

The area is renowned for its stunning and diverse landscapes, providing a natural playground for walking, cycling, climbing and water sports. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of attractions including Bakewell, Chatsworth House, the Derwent Dams, numerous National Trust properties and miles of traffic free former railway lines. There is an abundance of historic buildings and heritage sites to explore throughout the region. 

The Dark Peak is characterised by rugged gritstone moorland, while the White Peak features rolling limestone hills, lush pastures and meandering rivers. Together, these contrasting landscapes offer remarkable variety within a relatively compact area, that’s the beauty of this special place.

During the Industrial Revolution, Sir Richard Arkwright established the cotton mills that became the first factories in the world. Today, the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO, offers not only a beautiful setting but a powerful insight into the area’s industrial history.

Sir George Stephenson, known as the father of the railways, lived in nearby Chesterfield. His legacy continues to shape the region, which is now well connected and easy to explore.

An Accessible Destination

Popular destinations include Bakewell, Castleton, Hathersage, Ashbourne, Buxton, Matlock and Matlock Bath. Picturesque villages such as Ashford in the Water, Hartington, Edensor, Tissington, and Eyam are dotted throughout the countryside. Staying in Peak District cottages provides countless opportunities for exploration and relaxed, stress-free days out.

The expansive and panoramic views are one of the reasons why the Peak District is a favourite location for filmmakers.

Accessible Derbyshire was established in 2012 and has made significant progress in transforming the Peak District into a more inclusive and accessible destination. Despite its hills, dales and dramatic scenery, the region offers an endless wide range of opportunities for disabled visitors to enjoy holidays and day trips.

There has been a strong collaborative effort from organisations such as Visit Peak District, the National Trust, the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, the Peak District National Park Authority and many local individuals and groups committed to improving access and accessibility. As a result, visitors can expect a genuinely warm and informed welcome across the region.

Between 2014 and 2024, the Accessible Derbyshire registered charity helped fundraise for fishing boats, sailing boats, all terrain wheelchairs, Changing Places hoisted toilets, climbing harnesses, hearing loops and sensory equipment, among many other resources. Today, there is a wide range of accessible experiences available to meet the needs of many visitors.

Initiatives such as Miles Without Stiles provide valuable information to help people plan accessible itineraries. One of the key strengths of the destination is the wealth of clear and detailed information available, allowing visitors to choose experiences that are right for them.

Finding accessible holiday cottages in the Peak District has become significantly easier, with many properties now offering features such as level access, wider doorways, wet rooms and ground-floor bedrooms. There are endless accessible opportunities to refresh, recharge and relax, so many you couldn’t possibly fit it all into a week’s holiday, which is why visitors return year on year, making the Peak District the second most visited National Park in the UK. 

Local Traditions, Events and Cultural Highlights

Well dressings are a traditional and unique custom to the Peak District and Derbyshire.  They are where locals make colourful temporary art works pressing natural materials onto clay covered boards, and display at summer carnivals, festivals, parades and fetes. Full details available on Visit Peak District website. 

The Peak District has a vibrant Morris dancing scene, featuring historic sides like Ripley Morris and Winster Morris.  These groups dance at local pubs, festivals, and fairs, keeping traditions alive with lively performances, music, and community spirit. 

Royal Shrovetide Football is a "medieval football" game played annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in Ashbourne.  It has been played since at least the 12th century from the reign of Henry II (1154–89).

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent. During September and October Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association decorate themed boats with an array of coloured lights. The models are then mounted on rowing boats and paraded on the River Derwent each Saturday and Sunday giving a unique and illuminous display. 

Each year Bolsover holds their Christmas Market and spectacular Lantern Parade against the backdrop of Bolsover Castle.

Holidays taken throughout the seasons, ensure visitors can always experience a vibrant offer of accessible things to do, with many attractions participating in wonderful displays/events/activities relating to Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, Bonfire and Halloween to name a few. Check out the Visit Peak district website for concerts, activities, food and drink events…there is always something happening, making the area an all-year holiday destination.

Wheelchair Accessible Scenery and Sensory Highlights

• Buxton Pavilion Gardens
• Champneys Buxton Crescent Spa
• Buxton Experience
• Renishaw Hall & Gardens - famous for its bluebells
• Derbyshire Wildlife Trust at the Peak Village Nature Reserve 

There is also Haddon Hall, but this is not wheelchair accessible due to the uneven terrain and architecture but may be suitable for visitors with other access requirements. 

The English Wine Project, at Renishaw Hall and Darley Abbey Mills and the Amber Valley Vineyards also can offer an sensory experience and tours, but it is advisable to contact the organisers for access information prior to booking to ensure it meets the visitors needs. 

Wheelchair Accessible Food and Drink Outlets

• Tagg Diary Ice-Cream, near Monyash 
• The Barrel Inn, Bretton
• Bluebells Diary Farm, Derby
• Fischer’s Baslow Hall, is wheelchair accessible but does not have an accessible toilet. 
• The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow
• Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell
• The Maynard, Grindleford 
• The George, Hathersage  
• The Ashford Arms, Ashford in The Water 
• The Peacock at Owler Bar 
• The Gallery Restaurant and The Garden Room, Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
• The Cupola, Stoney Middleton
• Losehill House Restaurant, Hope
• Old Smithy Tea Room, Beeley
• The Beeley Inn, Beeley 
• Old Coach House Tea Rooms, Tissington 
• Rafters Restaurant at Riverside House Hotel
• The Pilsley, Pilsley
• The Bulls Head Restaurant and Pub, Holymoorside
• Quackers Café, Thornbridge Hall Ashford in the Water
• The Cock Inn, Muggington
• Chatsworth Farm Shop Café, Pilsley
• Mainsail Restaurant, Carsington Water Visitor Centre
• Chesters Fish & Chips, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield
• Lombardi’s Restaurante Italiano, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield
• The Peacock, Barlow
• The Ticked Trout, Barlow
• Red Lion Restaurant, Peak Edge Hotel, Darley Road, Chesterfield
• The Merchants Yard, Tideswell
• Anchor Inn, Tideswell
• The Calver Arms, Calver
• Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell
• The Fishpond, Matlock Bath
• The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
• The Wheatsheaf Pub and Pantry, Bakewell
• White Peak Distillery, Ambergate (Some access restrictions)
• Bottle and Thyme, Chesterfield
• Afat’s Grill, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield
• The Shalimar, Darley Dale

Wheelchair Accessible Attractions and Experiences

• Crich Tramway Village, Crich
• Chatsworth House 
• Peak District Mining Museum, Matlock Bath
• Matlock Farm Park
• Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill, Leek
• Museum of Making, Derby
• The Great British Car Journey, Ambergate 
• Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, a 15-mile stretch from Matlock Bath to Derby which preserves historic mills, innovative technology, and the first modern industrial settlements.  Cromford Mill, Masson Mill Museum, Belper Strutts North Mill, Darley Abbey and Derby Silk Mill. 
• Heights of Abraham, Matlock – although the cable car itself is accessible and many of the summit facilities are wheelchair accessible, visitors need to expect a steep path that leads to the ticket office, hilly ground at the summit and the caves are inaccessible.
• Peak Cavern, Castleton (Miles Without Stiles Route)
• Poole’s Cavern, Castleton  
• Chatsworth Farmyard and Playground
• Crooked Spire Church, Chesterfield
• Rosliston Forestry Centre
• Eyam Museum (seasonal opening times) 
• National Stone Centre
• Mercia Marina 
• Thornbridge Hall 
• Peak Astronomy Experiences – at accessible locations or direct to your computer from telescope
• Peak Rail, Rowsley
• Barrowhill Roundhouse, Chesterfield (seasonal opening times) 
• David Mellor Design 
• Pleasley Pit

Wheelchair Accessible Theme Parks

• Alton Towers offers a Ride Access Pass to guests who may find it difficult or cannot stand for long periods of time.  Their onsite facilities offer excellent accessibility with Changing Places hoisted toilets, level access food/drink and retail provisions.  For information on concessions and for the accessibility of various rides more information can be found by visiting their website.  
• Gulliver’s Kingdom, Rother Valley offers a Ride Access Pass to guests who may find it difficult or cannot stand, this also allows them and up to 3 carers to access the ride via the exit area for ease of access.  Their onsite facilities offer excellent accessibility with Changing Places hoisted toilets, level access food/drink and retail provisions.  For information on concessions and for the accessibility of various rides more information can be found by visiting their website. 

National Trust Properties

The National Trust is for everyone, excellent work and improvements to accessibility from a PAN disability perspective is a high priority at the National Trust.  The trust offers The Essential Companion pass making it simple to bring one or two carers free of charge.  Many of their sites have accessibility guides produced by AcessAble.  Changing Places Toilets  are installed at many of their locations, helping provide full days out for all to enjoy.    

National Trust properties in the Peak District include:

• Ilam Hall and Estate
• Lyme Park
• Kedleston Hall
• Hardwick Hall
• Sudbury hall
• Calke Abbey
• The Longshaw Estate

English Heritage

• Bolsover Castle (Restricted access)
• Hardwick Old Hall (Restricted access)

Accessible Villages/Towns

A selection of towns and villages have some wheelchair access.  Not all areas have smooth level flat terrain, and many have narrow pavements and various challenges, but the following locations are well worth a visit:

• Ashbourne Market Town
• Bakewell Market Town
• Ashford in the Water
• Hathersage
• Chesterfield
• Belper
• Matlock 
• Buxton
• Baslow
• Castleton
• Eyam 
• Edale
• Edensor
• Tissington
• Hartington 
• Monyash
• Tideswell 

Accessible Sporting Activities

• Monsal Trail - this is a great level access old railway line which can be accessed from Bakewell Station car park, Hassop Station, Millersdale and it also runs past Thornbridge Hall. There is a steep slope to gain access to Thornbridge Hall.
• Tissington Trail - from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne the Parsley Hay Cycle Hire Centre is a great hub for accessible activities with adapted bikes, a Changing Place toilet, refreshments available and accessible parking. 
• Carsington Water - there is a stile and step free route surrounding the reservoir but there are steep gradients in places. However, there are some accessible level access routes from the visitor centre available without doing the entire circular route which is 8 miles long.
• Chesterfield Canal – kayak and paddle boards are available to hire or take a trip on a cancel boat (seasonal). 
• Ladybower Fisheries  
• Horse Riding at Scropton Riding for the Disabled, Derby  
• Dolomite Training, Peak District outdoor activity provider of accessible activities including accessible abseiling at Millers Dale
• Hathersage swimming pool 
• Queens Park Sports Centre, Chesterfield
• Ashbourne Leisure Centre
• Arc Leisure Centre, Matlock

Adapted Cycle Hire

Adapted Cycle Hire is available from:

• Parsley Hay
• Ashbourne Cycle Hire
• Hassop Station Cycle Hire

Accessible Outdoor Walks

• Dovedale stepping stones – National Trust 
• Manifold Track from Hulme End to Parsley Hay
• Cromford Canal
• Peak District Miles Without Stiles e.g Curbar Gap, Derwent Dams, Longshaw, Tideswell Dale. Note, clear descriptions are given, such as those suitable for scooters or manual wheelchairs.
• Belper Riverside Gardens 
• Cromford Canal, famous for its daffodils 

Many of the Peak District attractions i.e. Chatsworth House, National Trust properties, also have accessible outdoor walks. 

Scenic Drives and View Points

Accessible Derbyshire website lists wonderful scenic drives such as, ‘Monsal Head and Longstone Edge’, ‘Castleton, Edale and Hope’, ‘Bamford, Stanage and Hathersage’, ‘Beeley, Chatsworth, Edensor and Baslow’ and ‘Derwent Dams’, For those wanting to pack a flask and sandwiches and relax whilst taking in beautiful scenery, these are wonderful accessible days out.

Stunning accessible viewpoints are a great experience. ‘Surprise View, ‘Curbar Gap’, ‘Blore Pastures’, ‘Upper Burbage Bridge car park’, ‘Monsal Head’. ‘Blue John Cavern car park’, ‘Barber Booth’ and the ‘Longshaw Estate’, all provide amazing sunrise and sunset viewpoints.

Retail

Eat, shop and explore at the Peak Village retail outlet, with lots of events on offer from live jazz music in the grounds, an indoor adventure play, a nature reserve and varied creative craft workshops, there is something for everyone. It has manual and electric wheelchairs to loan and accessible parking. 

• Chatsworth Farm Shop
• Chatsworth Garden Centre
• Whites of Calver Farm Shop 
• Derbion Shopping Centre, Derby 
• Denby Pottery 
• Dobbies Garden Centre, Barlborough  
• Dunston Hall Garden Centre
• Matlock Garden Centre
• Tansley Barn Garden Centre 
• Croots Farm Shop, Duffield, Nr Belper 
• Cavendish Arcade, Buxton

Check out the Visit Peak District website for information on the regular markets held in the many market towns throughout the Peak District and Derbyshire. 

Entertainment

• Buxton Opera House
• Winding Wheel, Chesterfield
• Cineworld, Chesterfield and Derby 
• The Northern Lights Cinema, Wirksworth, it is a small traditional cinema ideal for visitors with Dementia. It has lift access from the street. 
• The Ritz Cinema, Belper, a small independent cinema. 
• The QUAD, Derby
• Derby Theatre
• Vaillant Arena, Derby 

Transport

Have a day out on the Peak Sightseer, a hop on, hop off tour of the Peak District onboard an open top bus. With the choice of 2 routes, you can visit some of the Peak District’s most popular destinations with stops including Castleton and the Caverns, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Bamford, Padley Gorge, Hathersage, the Monsal Trail and more.

A day ticket gives unlimited travel for the day across both routes. Sit back and enjoy the scenery or hop on and off the buses as many times as you like. The buses can accommodate wheelchair users. 

There are good bus connections within the Peak District and is within reasonable proximity to Sheffield and Chesterfield train station via connecting bus services.  The Northern Railways Hope Valley Line between Sheffield and Manchester gives direct access to the Peak District, with stations at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford and Edale. The Derwent Valley Line from Nottingham to Matlock gives access to Matlock where bus services provide onward travel to Bakewell, Chatsworth and surrounding towns and villages. 

Community transport links for residents and visitors in a 16-seater wheelchair accessible vehicle.

The Peak District National Park website has information about parking and accessible toilets etc. 

Mobility Hire

There are several locations across Derbyshire and the Peak District which loan Trampers, enabling people to explore with ease.  The Peak District National Park has two sites where Trampers can be hired, Parsley Hay and Ashbourne Cycle Hire. Trampers are also available at Derwent Reservoir, Fairholmes Visitor Centre, Carsington Water, Hayfield, Rosliston Forestry Centre, Tapton Lock, Tittesworth Reservoir, Renishaw Hall.  Attractions such at Chatsworth House and National Trust locations i.e. Hardwick Hall, Calke Abbey, Sudbury Hall, Lyme Park, Kedleston Hall also have mobility equipment to hire. 

Derbyshire County Council have the following sites where equipment is available -  

• Shipley Country Park 
• Elvaston Castle Country Park 
• High Peak Junction Visitor Centre
• Middleton Top Visitor Centre
• Creswell Craggs Museum and Visitor Centre
• Cromford Mill 

Changing Places Toilets

Changing Places Toilets is a campaign which is gathering great momentum across the region, and this opens the area to those with severe disabilities. Places such as

• Millers Dale Station
• Chatsworth House
• Ilam Park (National Trust)
• Parsley Hay (Bike Hire Centre) 
• Matlock Farm Park
• Arc Leisure at Matlock
• Cromford Wharf
• Carsington Water Visitor Centre
• Torside Car Park, with access to Longdendale Trail 
• Derby Arena
• Vaillant Stadium, Derby 
• Derby Arboretum 
• Derbion Shopping Centre, Derby 
• Museum of Making 
• Ada Bellfield Centre, Belper 
• Ashbourne Library 
• Elvaston Country Park 
• Buxton Pavillion Gardens
• Alton Towers
• Markeaton Park 
• Sudbury Hall 
• Carsington Sailing Club 
• Odeon Luxe Cinema, Derby 
• Rosliston Forestry Centre
• Gulliver’s Kingdom, Rother Valley