Nature loving student Emmie loves to take the sixes into the Peak District from her home in Derby, hopping off to visit Matlock, Bakewell, and go for walks at her favourite wildlife spots at Black Rocks and around Wirksworth with her dog Dexter in tow. We’ve included some great Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sites Emmie likes to visit along the route.

Here’s her perfect day out on the sixes.

Derby

You can catch the sixes from Derby bus station. There’s buses every 15 minutes to Belper and hourly further afield. If you’re travelling from Nottingham our red arrow runs every 10 minutes between Nottingham and Derby bus station and takes just 35 minutes.

bright & bustling Belper

Pretty Belper has plenty of history, being home to Strutt’s Mill, which played a vital role in the industrial revolution. Its busy high street is filled with independent shops, cafés and some fantastic cosy pubs.

Emmie enjoys a stroll through the River Gardens (or even renting out a rowing boat). Belper’s winter and summer food festivals are hugely popular and well worth visiting too.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sites: Wyver Lane

arty & scenic Wirksworth

Lively market town Wirksworth has lots to offer. Its yearly art festival takes over the whole town, with exhibitions even taking place in peoples homes! There’s also the fantastic boutique Northern Light cinema, and if you’re a train buff, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is home to Derbyshire's longest heritage railway. It’s a great place to start a walk from, grab a bite to eat or go for a post walk pint.

historic Cromford & dramatic Black Rocks

Famous as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, and home to Richard Arkwright’s water powered cotton mills, the first in the world. Cromford is a pretty village with a lot of history, as well as some fantastic pubs and restaurants.

Emmie like to hop off the sixes and have a wander around dramatic Black Rocks, the closest stop is at Malthouse Close (just a 5 minute walk away).

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sites: Rose Meadows, Middleton & Cromford Canal

lively & lovely Matlock & Matlock Bath

Scenic Matlock was once known for its hydro and spa treatments, now it and nearby village Matlock Bath are more well known for cosy cafés, cable cars and hordes of friendly bikers flocking there on Summer days. If you’re feeling brave take a hike up to High Tor and Giddy Edge, possibly the scariest footpath in the country (if you’re not keen on heights!).

shoppers paradise Peak Village

Shop to your heart’s content in the picturesque setting of Rowsley, just a few miles from Chatsworth. From locally sourced produce at Chatsworth Kitchen to homemade classics at Caffe Massarella, Peak Village is a great place for a bite to eat too! 

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sites: Rowsley Sidings & Peak Village

beautiful Bakewell

There’s more to Bakewell than the famous pudding (although that’s a must too!). Bakewell is fantastic for shopping, with plenty of great independent boutiques and crafty shops as well as a fantastic farmers market.