Peak district with child without a car

[Dilemma8188]

Hi everyone,
I'm back for more travel advice. I have four days in August during which I can take my 6 year old daughter anywhere (within reason). I was tempted to go to the south of Spain but tickets are getting expensive for the exact area I'd like to go.
I'm contemplating the Peak District, as it's beautiful and I have a friend who lives in Sheffield that I could visit. Problem is I have no car. Is visiting the Peak district with a 6 year-old doable without a car? I looked at some YHA hostels that looked nice, but they're all remote... Any tips?

You can get there by train from Sheffield. There are also Bus services across the region. It’s a beautiful part of the world ☺️

https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/publictransport/peak-district-bus-routes

Not all the youth hostels are remote. Castleton YHA hostel is fab and close to the village. That would be a good base. They work great with kids, much more freedom than a hotel or B&B, child’s meals often free too if you eat there.

Castleton means you have the caves, the castle and a walk up mam tor will give you plenty to do close by. Add in a day trip to Matlock bath & guillivers kingdom, maybe the tramway museum in Crich and you’ll fill the time easily. Chatsworth Farm park is also fabulous !!

I would not bother with Bakewell or Buxton with a little one. Lovely picturesque places, but more grown up mooching around than fun.

There's a new open top bus route too.

I came on to say there is a new open top bus, it has two routes that travel to various places in the peaks they go to castleton and to Chatsworth house and Bakewell to name a few. I love the peak district it's beautiful.

There's a youth hostel in Hathersage which has a station on the Sheffield to Manchester line.

Always get something out of posting my travel questions on here! Thank you!!
So, I was looking at the yha hostel in Castleton but couldn't figure out how to get there from Sheffield and if it's easy, straightforward etc (I'm coming from London).
Might give them a bell. Thank you!

Train to Buxton, they have a Premier Inn, bus or train around the Peak District is easy from there. Also plenty to do in Buxton itself

There's a station at Hope a few miles along the road from Castleton. It's on the Sheffield - Manchester line although I think there's fewer trains running on it at the moment due to works. You should be able to get a bus or taxi from there.

Buxton. Lots to do there. And the bus service is surprisingly decent.

Look at the bus to sheffield. This is the scenic route (not sure if there is another direct service).
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/yorkshire/service-65-sheffield-to-buxton

Train isn't cheap to Sheffield though.

Castleton I would take the bus or even a cab to hope station to get to Sheffield

it's not that far to walk for an adult but ~2 miles is a bit much for a child

Thanks everyone! Number 1 choice was the hostel near Castleton but it's full for the dates I want. So now, I'm 50-50 between Buxton (easy to get to from London) and get a bnb there, or Sheffield and do day trips through the Peak District (if doable)...

Yes, stay somewhere on a trainline. Tour around on open top bus.

Buxton is a lovely town. The park (Pavillion Gardens) is gorgeous and great for kids of all ages. There is a miniature railway there and lovely cafes.

Easy to travel to other parts of the Peak District from there by train too.

Thank you. Annoyingly, I've hit a bit of a brick wall with accommodation. Can't seem to find anything available in the various villages (Buxton / Bakewell etc) for that time (next week). Looking into cheapish options in Sheffield. It's a bit of a kick up the arse to get driving so that I can contemplate going camping next time!

Look at the Buxton student Halls.

The problem you'll have in August is that there's a big arts festival or at least there used to be.
Premier Inn in Manchester and train in?

Agree about the yha hostels , not all are remote, have a look on Google maps, there are buses from Sheffield

Trains from London to Sheffield used to be really cheap

The hostels look great and indeed, a few are reachable but they're all fully booked. That's on me, waiting until the last minute. I think I'm going to go for the Sheffield + buses option. Will post the end result on here :)

Was in Bakewell yesterday and saw quite a few people waiting for the bus, back to Sheffield I think.
Also glimpsed an open top bus which must have been the one other people have just mentioned.
Lots of things to do, but never tried getting around this area in a bus.
Hope it works out

Edale YHA?

there is a train station in Edale. Short distance from Sheffield.

I think you’ll struggle with the YHA private room availability during school holidays.

Thank you! Yep Edale is also full. Only one with rooms is Hartington and it's just that bit too remote. It's my fault, I'm very indecisive and wait until the last minute to book things. The bus services look pretty promising and I found a website with some great day trips suggested departing from Sheffield. Now to find a cheapish place to stay in Sheffield 😂

www.thestar.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/peak-sightseer-i-caught-the-open-top-tourist-bus-through-the-peak-and-hated-it-at-first-4718408

What dates do you need OP?

Has anyone got any more information about the open top bus please? Does it run from Sheffield I wonder?