How to get toPeak Cavern and Speedwell Caverncar-free
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Visit Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern car-free
It’s easy to visit Peak Cavern and nearby Speedwell Cavern car-free from Sheffield or Manchester.
Peak Cavern is a 10-minute walk from Castleton in the Peak District, and Speedwell Cavern is 20 minutes’ walk.
Hope train station is a 5-minute bus ride away from Castleton. There are trains from: Sheffield (25 mins), Manchester Piccadilly (50 mins), Stockport (40 mins), Chinley (15 mins), Bamford, Edale and Hathersage (all 5 mins).
Buses run direct to Castleton from: Sheffield (65 mins), Bakewell (55 mins), Dove Holes (45 mins) and other Peak District train stations, with some less often services from Buxton (55 mins) and Chesterfield (70 mins).
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
Discount: Enjoy a free guide book when you show a valid bus ticket at Peak Cavern or Speedwell Cavern.
For money-saving tips see our handy guides to trains and buses.
From Sheffield, the Derbyshire Wayfarer gives you unlimited travel around Derbyshire on trains and buses.
A Manchester Wayfarer takes you as far as Grindleford with unlimited travel on trains and buses.
Picturesque railway lines bring you to the Peak District, as well as one of England’s most scenic bus rides from Sheffield.
Cycle path National Route 6, signposted from Sheffield station as NCN6 Peak Park Anniversary Route, goes through Castleton, passing near both caverns. Plan your cycle route to Peak Cavern or Speedwell Cavern.
Walking instructions from Castleton to Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern are given in a 4-mile children’s walk. There is also a route just to Peak Cavern from Castleton Visitor Centre, the Castleton Peak route. The 85-mile White Peak Way passes the caverns, too. The Limestone Way goes from Castleton through the Derbyshire Dales. See maps for Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern.
Taxis need to be booked in advance, try Penny’s Cars – 0791 771 0 771, based in Hope.
Read our guide to accessibility and public transport. For the Peak District see the guide to accessible Castleton by the National Park authority and the access information by Peak Cavern.
Discover more Derbyshire offers and days out with Good Journey.
Getting to Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern car-free
Here's our recommended route to Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
By bus from Sheffield
Mondays to Saturdays
Bus 272, the Peak Line, runs direct to Castleton. Buses leave from Sheffield train station, then carry on along Ecclesall Road regularly. The journey takes about 65 minutes. Hop off at Castleton bus station. It’s then about a 10-minute walk to Peak Cavern, or 20 minutes’ walk to Speedwell Cavern.
On Wednesdays in the high season
Bus 87a runs direct to the caverns. Buses leave from Castleton bus station a few times. The journey takes about 5 minutes. Hop off at Speedwell Cavern.
By train and bus via Hope
There are direct trains to Hope along the Hope Valley Line from:
- Sheffield (25 mins), Dore & Totley (20 mins)
- Manchester Piccadilly (50 mins), Hazel Grove (30 mins), Stockport (40 mins)
- Bamford (5 mins), Chinley (15 mins), Edale (5 mins), Grindleford (10 mins) and Hathersage (5 mins).
Tickets: Search for train times and cheaper tickets with Good Journey.
Buses from Hope train station
Bus 272, the Peak Line (regular, daily) and bus 173 (few, none Sundays) leave from Station Road. The journey takes 5-10 minutes. Hop off at Castleton bus station. It’s then about a 10-minute walk to Peak Cavern, or 20 minutes’ walk to Speedwell Cavern.
Blue tour bus, or the Peak Sightseer, runs seasonally on a regular basis. Buses leave from Station Road (and Old Hall Hotel in the village). The journey takes about 10 minutes. Hop off at Castleton bus station or Castleton visitor centre. It’s then about a 10-minute walk to Peak Cavern. Remain on the bus for a further 5 minutes to get off at Speedwell Cavern.
Buses from Hope village
Walk for 15 minutes from the train station into the village. Buses 62, 272, 173 and Peak Sightseer also leave from Old Hall Hotel. The journey takes about 5 minutes. Hop off at Castleton bus station. It’s then about a 10-minute walk to Peak Cavern.
By bus from other towns
There are direct buses to Castleton from:
- Bamford (Peak Line, 25 mins, Peak Sightseer, 15 mins)
- Bakewell (bus 173, 55 mins)
- Buxton (bus 62, 55 mins)
- Chesterfield (Peak Sightseer, 70 mins)
- Dove Holes (bus 62, 45 mins)
- Edale (bus 62, 20 mins)
- Hathersage (Peak Line, 30 mins, Peak Sightseer, 25 mins)
- Sheffield city centre, then along Ecclesall Road (Peak Line, 65 mins)
Onto Speedwell Cavern from Castleton
Bus 272 (regular), the Peak Sightseer (regular in the high season) and bus 87a (Wednesdays in the high season) can bring you onwards to Speedwell Cavern.
About Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern
PEAK CAVERN - The intriguing subterranean world of the Devil’s Arse awaits. Our professional guides will walk you through the system, re telling the history of the Peak Cavern rope makers. An hour long tour, witnessing how rope was made for lead miners and the fascinating folklore of the Victorian tour guides. Find out how and why the cave got its unusual name.
SPEEDWELL CAVERN is an old - C18th - Lead Mine. The entrance is down the original mine addit, 106 steps down a 45° slope (with good handrails), to a small jetty form which you board a boat (holding up to 21 passengers).As you progress through the 250-year-old lead mine tunnel your guide will recount the story of the mine and its fascinating history. At the Halfway House, the canal tunnel splits in two to allow boats to pass, and you'll continue your journey, winding your way 200 meters below the hill's surface before entering a magnificent cavern resembling a cathedral. Here, you'll witness the awe-inspiring Bottomless Pit, a vast subterranean lake.The boat will then bring you back to the jetty at the foot of the addit where you disembark before making your way back up the 106 steps to the surface.
For any queries about visiting contact Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern on 01433 620285 or [email protected]
Address: Peak Cavern Walk, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WP. Visit Website