Despite their occupation from 43AD–410AD, even the Roman Empire couldn’t impose its will on the Peak District with their famously straight roads. The one thing the legionaries couldn’t conquer is the local geology, which splits itself between the Dark Peak of the north and the White Peak of the south. Difficult geology often means great driving roads, yet all the best-known Peak District twisties – the Snake Pass, Holme Moss Summit and the Strines – lie within the boundaries of the gritstone north. Which raises the question, what do the southern limestone dales have to offer?

If you’re a Driving Enthusiast, quite a lot. We’ll be using The Bentley Brook Inn as our anchor point for the drive, located at the base of the national park just off the A515 a few miles north of Ashbourne, where it meets the B5056. Our opening salvo is easily my favourite road of the day in terms of pure driving, backed up by attractive – but not distracting – scenery that alternates between limestone outcrops the road has to wiggle around and tall pine forests it must thread through. The surface is well maintained and the sightlines are a mixture of blind and well-sighted, there are gentle elevation changes and the pace spans second to fourth gear corners. 

It sounds like the Goldilocks B-road, but there are a couple of caveats to the B5056: its twisty nature means overtaking opportunities are infrequent, so stay patient if you're held up. Also, Grange Mill Quarry is halfway along, resulting in a dusty road surface that can adversely affect grip levels in marginal weather conditions. Be vigilant for the oversized aggregate HGVs sharing the road too.

The Best Driving Roads in the Southern Peak District: The Manifold Loop - Alpine A110 pauses for breath on Leek Rd during a blizzard

When the A6 rudely calls time on the fun, there’s a decision to make. Anyone looking to shave some time from the route (and in possession of a sweet tooth) should indicate left and pass through Bakewell. Those willing to gamble should turn right, following the trunk road briefly to Rowsley, picking up the B6012. Running parallel to the River Derwent and through Chatsworth Estate, this road rhythmically sweeps its way through the manicured lawns, however, timing is key due to the proximity to several tourist hot spots.

Once Chatsworth House flashes by on the right, it’s two quick-fire sprints along the B6048 then A6020 to Ashford in the Water, from which we’ll pivot north west taking the B6465 out of the village. Consider this stretch more of a scenic breather rather than a driver’s favourite, with the Monsal Viaduct viewpoint worth a stop should you have the time.

The next target is the B6049. We join south of Tideswell as it swoops its way downhill through the woodlands of Monsal Dale, kissing the River Wye before climbing up the opposite side. Once again the route butts heads with the A6, but mercifully it’s the shortest of sprints to reach the A5270 heading south, which has far more going for it. This road should really be called the AB5270, such is the way it straddles the line between the two: big speed followed by the sudden need to shed it for a tightening, undulating combination. After the constant company of drystone walls, the openness of the valley and wider tarmac are disorientating, testing your roadcraft. Undercook it and you'll rue the missed opportunity. Overcook it and you'll be putting a car-shaped hole in the scenery.

Afterward, the B5053 doesn’t have the most promising of starts as it skirts around the back of an industrial estate on the fringes of Buxton, but the drystone walls quickly reassert themselves as the first climb begins. As the road starts tracing the line of the 400m high Dow Low rise, your eyes sense an opportunity but the messages from below say otherwise. The true reward is the expansive view of the park on your right-hand side, offering the best vista of the day. The plunge down to Glutton Bridge puts the emphasis back onto your inputs, requiring precision braking as it drops between Hitter Hill and Parkhouse Hill. Beware human chicanes during the descent – both peaks are popular with walkers.

At Longnor, turn right at the village crossroads onto Leek Road. Despite the inviting NSL sign, temper your speed during the initial stretch, for the surface is on the rough side. Persevere though, and a true rollercoaster emerges as the farmland transitions into open moorland, with blind crests and dips guaranteed to test your nerve. One yump in particular doesn’t require much effort to get airborne and bears the scars of many long-jump artists.

When you emerge onto the A53, don’t get distracted by the straight as far as the eye can see, otherwise you’ll miss the immediate (and tight) turning for Blackmere Road behind the Winking Man country pub. This is the most technically demanding road of the day: no two corners are alike and above a certain speed, the damping on many cars will struggle to keep up with the oscillations in the road surface. It takes learning to get the best out of it, and initial acquaintance can often lead to frustration, but once the knowledge is acquired, it becomes another standout drive. Pay special attention to the lane dividers; they can forecast hidden ruts. If you have time to look up from the hustle, you’ll feel on top of the Peak District with views stretching for miles.

Alpine A110 by Ben Midlane shot at Blake Mere Mermaid Pools during Sunrise

Just after the imaginatively named 'Amazing Sunset Spot', a fork in the road presents itself – take the left, signposted Alternative HGV Route and follow this all the way to the bottom. Before you reach it, most sat navs will try and cut the corner toward Onecote, but stick with it and complete the 'V', taking the left onto the B5053. It's simply more fun.

After the intensity of moors, the second leg of the B5053 brings a welcome breather. The road surface is calmer but a fraction narrower, tempering the pace. Not that it lacks for drama; the sudden descent toward Warslow with its series of off-camber, tightening sweepers will make you feel especially smug if you’re in a hot hatch with a limited-slip differential.

Once past Warslow, turn right onto the B5054 heading for the sleepy hamlet of Hulme End. The accommodating width and smooth surface invite a gravity-aided burst of acceleration before you’re hard on the brakes for the 30mph limit.

Alpine A110 on the Rush magazine southern driving loop

Thrillseekers will enjoy sticking to the B5054 through Hartington and on to the A515, a short distance from The Bentley Brook Inn where we started the drive. But for the sake of variety – after all, at this point we're nearly two hours of wheel-time in – I'll suggest turning right at the Manifold Inn for a change of pace and scenery. This unclassified road skirts the edge of the Manifold Valley: squint and you could almost convince yourself you’re in Provençal France. It also emerges onto the A515 closer to said public house, and is a great way to bring the pulse rate back down before returning to the real world.

Like its geology, this southern loop has peaks and troughs, with the high points matching their more famous northern cousins. The difference is in the stitching; where the Dark Peak knits its best roads into one continuous flow, the White Peak demands a little more patience between them. Nevertheless, there is value in the contrast, whether for locals in search of a new challenge or for those looking for the justification to make a weekend of it. As ever with Britain's busiest national park, timing is everything.

Need to Know

While the majority of the B-roads suggested on this route are NSL, many of the main thoroughfares in the area have blanket 50mph limits, which mobile camera traps are known to frequent.

Ideal car for the route:

Alpine A110 - small, agile, impeccable ride and punchy turbocharged mid-range
Toyota GR Yaris - great damping, long travel suspension and multiple differentials will make the most out of every situation

Journey Time:

Approx two hours
Circa 67 miles

Shorter Monyash Loop:

Cutting 20 minutes and 13 miles from the main route, this streamlined version takes the B5055 out of Bakewell. Stay sharp on the decent to Crowdecote: only a centuries-old drystone wall stand between you and certain doom should you get distracted by the craggy peak of High Wheeldon and out-brake yourself entering the 270-degree hairpin.

If you don't like the sound of the jiggly moorland tarmac spanning the western leg of the route, you can cut the corner at the Mermaid Inn. Confusingly sharing a name with the previously explored Leek Rd, this iteration runs to Warslow and is not lacking for character. It's relatively quiet too.

Where to Eat & Drink

Budget

Coach & Horses, Ashbourne – reliable pub lunch, log fire, good ales.
The Bakewell Tart Shop & Coffee House – iconic stop. You’ll queue but it’s worth it.
Fenny Bentley's Coach & Horses Inn (on the B5056) – open from 10am, good timing on the outbound leg.

Mid-range

The Machine Inn, Ashbourne – modern British, boutique rooms above. Reopened 2024 after a £1.7m restoration.
The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone – Michelin Bib Gourmand gastropub on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border. Classic and modern British food, log fires, garden with Dove Valley views. Book ahead.
The Jervis Arms – already on the route. Good positioning for a late lunch toward the end of the route.

Splurge

The Tasting Club, Brailsford – Best Restaurant in Derbyshire & Notts 2025. 10-course tasting menu, Wed–Sat evenings only. Book well ahead.
Rafters at Riverside House, Ashford-in-the-Water – Two AA Rosette restaurant with rooms on the River Wye. From the team behind Rafters in Sheffield.
Wildhive Callow Hall, Ashbourne – country house hotel and restaurant at the gateway to the Peak District. Seasonal British menu from the kitchen garden.

Alpine A110 front detail image by Ben Midlane. Rush Magazine south Peak District Driving route

Where to Stay

Budget

Premier Inn Buxton – functional, reliable, good access for the western half of the loop.
Bagshaw Hall Sleep Lodge, Bakewell – budget self-catering annex of a 300-year-old hall with panoramic views over Bakewell.

Mid-range

The Peacock Inn, Bakewell – traditional pub with B&B in a converted 200-year-old barn.
Holly Meadow Farm B&B, Bradley (nr Ashbourne) – award-winning, 280-acre farm, outstanding views. Ideal base for the southern end of the route.
Atlow Mill, nr Ashbourne – Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year 2025. 17th-century water mill in its own private valley. Hot tub, pizza oven, secluded woodland.

Splurge

H Boutique Hotel, Bakewell – centrally located, family-owned since 1983. Super king beds, White Company toiletries, jacuzzi baths in select rooms.
The Rutland Arms, Bakewell – historic hotel where Jane Austen reportedly wrote parts of Pride & Prejudice.
Wildhive Callow Hall, Ashbourne – Victorian country house with woodland Hives and Treehouses across 35 acres.

Alpine A110 rear detail image by Ben Midlane. Rush Magazine south Peak District Driving route

Points of Interest:

Dovedale & Dove Valley – the Stepping Stones are one of the Peak District's most photographed spots. Busy in summer, magical in winter.
Chatsworth House – half a day minimum. Just off the northeastern edge of the route.
Haddon Hall – arguably more interesting architecturally than Chatsworth, less visited, medieval in character.
‍Alstonefield – the Manifold Valley viewpoint from the village green is worth the brief stop.
Hartington – local cheese shop. Hartington Stilton is made nearby and excellent.
Monyash – one of the quieter, better-preserved White Peak villages. Worth a short walk.