If you’re staying at Rock Mill Apartments, you’re perfectly placed to explore the Peak District, and one of the easiest (and most enjoyable) ways to do it is with the Peak Sightseer open top bus.
Forget juggling cars, parking stress, or planning routes. This is a simple, scenic way to experience the very best of the Peaks right from your doorstep.
What is the Peak Sightseer?
The Peak Sightseer, operated by Stagecoach, is a hop-on, hop-off open-top bus that takes you through some of the Peak District’s most iconic locations. Running through the warmer months, it’s designed for relaxed exploring whether you want to stop for lunch in a village, head out on a walk, or simply enjoy the views from the top deck.
The service typically runs:
- Daily from 23rd May to September
- Weekends into October
It’s designed to make exploring the Peaks simple, accessible, and completely car-free.
Where does the service go?
Two Routes, Endless Possibilities:
Red Route: Villages, Food & Classic Peak District Charm
- Chatsworth House
- Bakewell (home of the famous pudding)
- Hassop Station (gateway to the Monsal Trail)
- Ashford-in-the-Water
This route is ideal for a slower-paced day with cafés, villages, and gentle walks.
Blue Route: Dramatic Landscapes & Iconic Views
If you’re after jaw-dropping scenery, the Blue Route delivers:
- Castleton and its caverns
- Winnats Pass
- Mam Tor
- Padley Gorge
- Hathersage
Expect sweeping valleys, limestone cliffs, and some of the most photographed views in the Peak District.
Why its Perfect for Rock Mill guests?
Staying at Rock Mill means you don’t need to travel far to make the most of it.
You’re just a short distance from key stops including:
- Calver (on the Blue route) and within walking distance of Rock Mill Apartments
- Bakewell
- Chatsworth House
- Hathersage
That means you can:
- Leave the car behind for the day
- Avoid busy car parks (especially in summer)
- Let everyone relax and enjoy the journey together
For couples, small groups, and families staying in the apartments, it’s an easy win.
Hop on Hop off, your day your way
The flexibility is what makes this experience stand out.
With a single ticket, you can:
- Travel all day on both routes
- Get on and off as many times as you like
- Combine sightseeing with walks, pubs, or attractions
Whether you want to spend an hour in Bakewell or hike part of the Monsal Trail, you’re in control.
A relaxed scenic experience
Unlike driving (or even walking), the Peak Sightseer lets you fully take in the surroundings.
From the open-top deck, you’ll enjoy:
- Panoramic countryside views
- Commentary about the area and its history
- A slower, more immersive way to travel
It’s ideal for:
- First-time visitors
- Couples and families
- Groups who want a stress-free day out
Easy access from major locations
You don’t need to be staying right in the Peak District to use it.
The Peak Sightseer connects easily from:
- Chesterfield
- Sheffield
- Manchester (via train connections)
- Derby and Nottingham
This makes it a great option if you’re travelling in for the day or staying nearby.
How much is a ticket?
The service is surprisingly affordable for a full day out.
Typical prices:
- Adults: £14
- Under 19: £8.50
- Concessions: £9.50
- Family (2 adults and 2 under 19’s) £38.00
- Group tickets available (any 5 people) £60.00
Considering you get unlimited travel and access to multiple destinations, it’s excellent value, especially for groups.
Top Tip: if you are on the blue route its worth checking out the following local businesses for their food and drink offers;
Get 10% off your Main Meal when you show a Peak Sightseer ticket in either the Old Hall (Hope) or the Peak Hotel (Castleton).
You can also get coffee (or tea) and cake for £5 in the Hope Tearooms with a valid ticket.
10% off food and drink, Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm* For all Peak Sightseer ticket holders only at any of the following Northern Collective venues:
- Bank House – Hathersage
- The Little John – Hathersage
- Vintners on the Brook – Hathersage
- Peak Pizza Co. – Hathersage
- Peveril Stores – Hathersage
- Castleton Coffee Co. – Hathersage
- Castleton Kitchen – Hathersage
- *not in conjunction with any other offers.
Why its a perfect way to explore the Peak District?
At Rock Mill, we’re all about helping you slow down, explore more, and enjoy the Peak District your way.
The Peak Sightseer fits perfectly with that:
- No stress
- No rigid plans
- Just great places, great views, and your own pace
Stay, Explore, Repeat
After a day out, you can come back to:
- Your own comfortable apartment
- A relaxed evening in Stoney Middleton village
- Or a meal just next door at The Cupola
That’s the beauty of staying somewhere like Rock Mill, everything works together to make your stay easy.
FAQ’s
Click on the question to reveal the answers
How often does the Peak Sightseer Run?
The Peak Sightseer runs daily from 23 May until 19th September, then Saturdays only until Saturday 10th October. Buses on both the Red route and the Blue route run every hour.
Where does the Peak Sightseer Stop?
There are two Peak Sightseer routes which each make different stops.
The Red route is a loop making stops at Chatsworth – Edensor – Pilsley – Hassop Station – Bakewell – Ashford in the Water before returning to Chatsworth.
The Blue route is an out and back route with stops at Chatsworth – Baslow – Calver – Grindleford – Hathersage – Bamford – Hope – Castleton – Speedwell Cavern – Blue John Cavern/Mam Tor before going back to Chatsworth the same way.
Stop details can be found on the timetable which is available to download here.
How does a loop on the Peak Sightseer last?
A full loop on the Peak Sightseer Red route takes just under an hour.
A journey from Chatsworth to Blue John Caverns/Mam Tor on the Blue route takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. The return journey from Blue John Caverns/Mam Tor to Chatsworth takes approximately 1 hour 18 minutes.
This may vary depending on traffic conditions.
How much are Peak Sightseer Tickets?
An Adult Peak Sightseer Day ticket costs £14.00, Under-19 tickets are £8.50, Concessions are £9.50, a Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is £38.00, and a group ticket for any five people is £60.00.
The day ticket can be used all day on both Peak Sightseer routes as well as any other Stagecoach buses included within the Stagecoach Gold boundary.
Where can I buy a Peak Sightseer ticket?
You can buy a Peak Sightseer ticket on the bus from your driver on the day either by cash or contactless payment or adult and group tickets are available from the Stagecoach app.
Peak Sightseer tickets are also valid on all other Stagecoach buses in the local area and can also be bought on the 65/65A, 66, X66, 160 & 170 service as well.
Are dogs welcome on the Peak Sightseer?
Yes, well behaved dogs are very welcome on the bus, free of charge.
Can I see where my bus is on the route?
Yes, use the Stagecoach bus app and search for the buses called “RED” for the Red route and “BLU” for the Blue route. This will give you live updates on a map so you can hop off and on all day with confidence.
Does the Peak Sightseer run all year?
No. The Peak Sightseer runs daily from 23 May until 19th September, then Saturdays only until Saturday 10th October.
Can I travel with a £3 single fare on the Peak Sightseer?
No, sorry – special fares apply on this service.
How can I get to the Peak Sightseer?
It’s easy to leave the car at home and get to the Peak Sightseer on the bus or train. Links to Peak Sightseer from the surrounding towns and cities are shown below.
Peak Sightseer has stops at Bamford, Chesterfield and Hope rail stations, making connections easy. Some journeys start and end at Chesterfield rail station. There are also links to/from South Sheffield at the start and end of the day.
Can I pre-book travel on the Peak Sightseer?
No need to pre-book tickets, just turn up on the day to catch the bus
