The Peak District features in a list of the under-the-radar destinations at the end of Britain’s railway lines by The Telegraph.
The newspaper said: “Here’s ten of our favourite “end of the line” destinations; with a surprising number of them located far away from the coast.”
Two Peak District spots feature in the list – Buxton and Matlock. Here’s what The Telegraph had to say about the two destinations.
Peak District spots that are under-the-radar at the end of Britain’s railway lines
Buxton can be found at the end of the Buxton Line and the town is “a strong contender for the title of most charismatic town in the Peak District”, according to The Telegraph.
The newspaper added: “Buxton owes its charms (and its branch line rail link direct to Manchester) chiefly to the Fifth Duke of Devonshire who had aspirations to make this Roman spa town the Northern equivalent of Bath or Cheltenham.
“The wooded vales that sprawl alongside the tracks as you near Buxton succeed in slowing down the heartbeat, yet invigoration is restored at Buxton station in the form of the colossal fan window, designed by Joseph Paxton – who also created the Crystal Palace that stood for so long in South London.”
If you’re looking for some recommendations, it advises: “Spend a day here filling up your bottle with the famed Buxton water at St. Ann’s Well before taking in a performance at the art nouveau masterpiece that is the town’s Opera House.
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“Or simply wandering like a true Victorian flaneur around the Pavilion Gardens, speckled with footbridges, fountains, ponds and, with Victorian inevitability, a bandstand.”
For those wanting to stay in Buxton, The Telegraph recommends No.6 The Square where double bedrooms are available from £65 with breakfast included.
Train tickets can be booked at the Northern Railway’s website.
You can see the full list of the under-the-radar destinations at the end of Britain’s railway lines via The Telegraph’s website.
Matlock can be found at the end of the Derwent Valley Line, and while Matlock Bath might not be the easiest to get around at first glance if you’re new to the area, its worth the visit.
The Telegraph explains: “The British railway map is often confusing but even the most geographically savvy traveller may feel initial disorientation at his or her first sighting of Matlock Bath, the adjoining village to the Peak District town of Matlock, reachable in a brisk 20 minute walk from the train station.
“For here you will find fish and chip shops, amusement arcades, ice cream parlours and, essentially, everything else you would expect to find at a quintessentially British seaside town – except for the sand and the sea.”
If you’d like to stay in Matlock, The Telegraph recommends staying at Hodgkinson’s Hotel with double bedrooms available from £196 with breakfast included.
East Midlands Railway’s website is where you can book your train tickets.
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The newspaper adds: “It’s all a bit of a shock after a demure journey on the Derwent Valley line; a track which takes you back to the days before the Beeching cuts when rural routes like this snaked all over the country.
“The route passes Cromford, perhaps the definitive English rural railway station, complete with a station masters cottage that can be hired out for a weekend stay and which also featured on the sleeve of the Oasis single Some Might Say.
“Once in Matlock Bath itself, take the Alpine style cable car up to the Heights of Abraham (£25), from where you can descend into 350 million year old caverns, hollowed out in the 18th and 19th century for lead mining.”