Peak District open-top bus boosted by heatwave summer

A bus company says its open-top service through the Peak District National Park has had more passengers, strong positive feedback and helped to boost local businesses after the hottest UK summer on record.

The Peak Sightseer began its fourth year in May, running a circular route around Bakewell and Chatsworth House and another from the stately home to Castleton.

Stagecoach commercial director John Young said rides had increased by 9% on last year with just under 400 passengers per day.

"That's a lot of people that we've given a really good enjoyable day out. Obviously, when it's a nice sunny day, and we've had lots of them this season, then the service does well," he said.

Maggie Fletcher, from Buxton, travelled on the top deck with her friends and said: "It's absolutely fantastic. It's been an absolute privilege to go on it today. We've been on for the whole day. We've only got off once to have an ice cream."

"I've absolutely loved every minute of it. We've had a really good laugh. Beautiful scenery, gorgeous weather and it's good value - £14 and you can go round and round," said her friend Rebecca Stacey.

Young said he was "really pleased" that 95% of passengers surveyed recommended the open-top bus service.

Stagecoach said customer feedback also showed that 69% of passengers visited locations they would not otherwise have visited without the Peak Sightseer.

Mujib Rehman from Derby and Samia Zeba from London visited the Peak District for the first time, using the service to explore Baslow Edge, Grindleford and Padley Gorge.

"I think it's fabulous. If you just want to go around and see the entire place without having a car, then I think it's perfect," said Zeba.

On the same bus ride, the Sobey family were also new to the national park, having moved to Manchester two months ago from Seattle in USA.

"The views were stunning. It was just lovely to go all through the countryside," said Dominique, whose daughter Morgan said she enjoyed feeling the wind in her face.

Having arrived in Hathersage, Woody Sobey said the plan was to "find a pub, have a pint and then head on the train back to Manchester".

Businesses along the routes said they had benefitted from the bus scheme, with 74% of users spending money elsewhere during part of their day trip.

Izzy Fawcett, a manager at Baslow cafe and wine bar Charlotte's, said: "The bus stop is only around the corner, so we see them all get off and come in, mostly just to take away, but it's great. It's brought in a lot more business here.

"Now that they've come and seen that we're here, I think a lot of people will come back."

Emma West has worked for two years at The George, a pub restaurant and hotel in Hathersage.

"It helps our drink sales massively. They'll hop off the bus over the road, they'll come in for a few pints and they'll hop back on it and go to the next place," she said.

"I can see the effect it has on the Peak District, not just our business here - a lot of people are coming to experience us for what we actually are, rather than coming and missing out on the key parts of the countryside," she said.

West said the buses had brought a "positive atmosphere" to the area and was sad to hear the last bus rides for 2026 will run on Saturday.

Young confirmed the two "well-established routes" will run again next year and promised the Peak Sightseer project will "continue to grow and be bigger and better".

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