Hi Fodorites.
Wonder if there are any Peak District experts on here?
I have 2.5 days in Matlock for (2) exciting (for me) reasons: Chatsworth House and the Red Carriage Stables & Carriage Museum.

Due to time constraints & over-the-top expense of a rental car from Derby, I have decided to walk or use bus/rail. (For 2 days, from Derby Midlands Airport to Manchester airport, rates are $150>. If anyone has other ideas on rental car saving, I'd appreciate it.)

There appears to be a 214/215 Bus from Matlock (to Chatsworth, Baslow, Sheffield).
Time table reads:
(start) Matlock, County Hall
Matlock, Bakewell Road
Darley Dale, Broadwalk
...etc., etc.

The Carriage Museum is on Old Road, Darley Dale, Matlock DE4 2ER (between Matlock, Bakewell Road stop and the Darley Dale, Broadwalk stop).
I believe I can ring the bus to stop somewhere along the way, couldn't I?
Anyone ever take this bus? Do I have to overshoot or undershoot the Museum?
I think the link shows the bus route, but I can't tell.
http://binged.it/18gfvXK

Any insight/info. would be greatly appreciated! My next step will be to attempt to get a live person at the bus company.

Hi ChgoGal,

I'll have a go, but to be honest, I don't take the buses because I have a car. I would think you could simply tell the driver when you get on and he/she will sort you out.

Best I can tell, you would just overshoot (north) the Carriage Museum. The stop looks to be opposite Greenway Lane.

A couple of sites I found:

Timetable (which you probably have):
http://www.tmtravel.co.uk/app/downlo...2B2013.xls.pdf

Route Map (a little course for your needs):
http://www.derbysbus.info/maps/county.htm

Journey Planner (!!):
http://www.travelineeastmidlands.co....&timeOffset=15

Are you staying in Matlock?

Do you plan to take a full day for each? plus walks? You could probably do both in a day and save the other for walking.

We had a nice day out a few weeks back around Chatsworth:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04...hatsworth.html

And another nice one around Ladybower Reservoir:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04...reservoir.html

And previously at Padley Gorge:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03...ley-gorge.html

The last two are farther north and get into the Dark Peak which I really love. Too many options! Let me know if I can help.

Thought of another one. Can't remember if you've already been or I mentioned it previously:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07...ay-museum.html

Don't know if this helps, but the universal first-stop answer to your question in Britain is www.transportdirect.info which gives up to date point to point public transport options from virtually anywhere to the centroid of any full postcode. In your case, the centroid is a hotel about 100 yds from the museum.

If it's any consolation, getting to East Midlands airport from Derby, or from any of the prettier towns outside, to collect a hire car is more of a hassle than using public transport.

Thank you so much Indy_dad and Flanner! I've been swamped at work and need to check out your links soon, but didn't want too much time to pass before letting you know I appreciate the links. Thinking I may forego my time in Paris and spend more in the Peaks with all the gorgeous walks to do. Still trying to sort it out.

Many, many thanks. Will post later!

Hi , the 6.1 Trent bus from Matlock to Bakewell will stop just up the road from Red House Museum, about five minutes walk away, and possibly the 214 on its way to Chatsworth. The 214 stops outside Chatsworth house but also stops earlier just inside the park, if you get of their you will have a pleasant but long walk!
The Transpeak bus from Derby goes all the way to Manchester, best bet is to buy a Derbyshire Wayfarer, which costs 11.60 and for which you can travel on most buses around Derbyshire for the day. It is just under 22.00 for a couple. You can buy the ticket at Travel Agents and on the Trent and many other buses, just ask the driver for a "Wayfarer". So you can visit Red House via Trent 6.1 then finish your day at Chatsworth by catching the 214, all on the same ticket.

mickthefish: You are an angel! Thank you! I'm getting very excited about my trip now. It's been difficult, but I think I must pass on my few days in Paris and either rent a car or see if I might bus/walk to interesting areas in Derbyshire (and from the bus routes map, possibly west Yorkshire, east Cheshire, Staffordshire and all about Manchester).

And I know it's an old whine, but I dislike renting cars. I've used buses in the Cotswold and renting in Yorkshire and the Peak before and it is not nearly as enjoyable. I just hate hate hate driving. I do it so rarely in Chicago that it's a stress I would happily avoid. But may be worthwhile if there's too much I want to see on the outlying areas. There's a Europcar a mile from the rail station in Derby so that is likely where I'd pick up if I must.

Must try to get my plans sorted between some busy work projects, but will post for further help (in other posts).

Will get an OS explore map for the area to research a few walks - but will next hunt for the right base village to settle for several days. Maybe BAkewell? Thought it was very charming.

Eyam is on a bus route and that was the village decimated by the plague, wasn't it? Have always been intrigued by that sad fact.

Again, many thanks to Mick, IndyDad and Flanner!
GEtting excited!!

Our visit to Eyam on the back end of this post:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05...day-blast.html