Welcome
Castleton Visitor Centre is located adjacent to the main village car park surrounded by hillsides and overlooked by Mam Tor (the shivering mountain) and the ancient Peveril Castle.
The visitor centre is accessible for visitors with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. There are exciting interpretation displays, a dedicated space for Castleton Historical Society’s museum, an audio-visual room, retail area, a café and washroom facilities on site.
Please contact us if you require any further information about specific access needs or advice on planning your visit. Our experienced team are here to help you make the most of your visit to this spectacular area.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Visitor Centre DeskAccessible Toilet in The Blueberry CaféExternal Accessible Toilet at the Visitor CentreBlueberry CafeVisitor Centre ShopThe Castleton Historical Society MuseumCastleton Village PlaygroundThere is level access from the car park to:
Castleton Visitor Centre outside seatingHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Hope Train station is 2.2 miles from Castleton Visitor Centre. There are regular trains from Manchester and Sheffield.From this train station you can take a bus or taxi into Castleton and there is level access from the station to the car park and the road.Please note there is currently only wheelchair access on the platform arriving from Sheffield into Hope.
At Hope train station there is a Cab4U taxi booking service, with Northern Rail, but they need 2 hours notice for anyone requiring this service 08002 006060.
There are two level access train stations in the Hope Valley: Bamford (4.4 miles) and Hathersage (6 miles). Wheelchair accessible buses can be taken from both these stations into Castleton. Bus times can be found using this link: www.derbysbus.info
Travel by taxi
There are two fuel stations close to Castleton village.
Ascona, Sicklehome Petrol Station is located on Hathersage Road, Hope Valley S33 0EB. 01433 651173
There is level access into this building, with a level access toilet avaliable, but they corridoor measures 630mm leading to it, which is not wheelchair accessible. You can call for assistance before 8pm at night.
Hope Garage, Castleton Road, Hope, S33 6RZ. 01433 620333
This wonderful 'old fashioned service' is perfect for those who want to stay in the car, as this station provides attendant service only. If anyone requires assistance with car maintenance, the mechanics are extremely helpful.
There are public toilets including an accessible toilet, situated across the road.
Parking
There are 8 accessible parking bays in the visitor centre car park. Blue badge holders can park free of charge, provided they are parked within a marked bay and a valid blue badge is displayed clearly. The Visitor Centre car park is owned by High Peak Borough Council, so for any further information, please contact them directly.
Other car parking facilities in the village:
- Peak Cavern Car Park
There are no designated, marked accessible parking bays (the whole car park is unmarked).
For more information on parking costs and logistics, please visit www.peakcavern.co.uk.www.peakcavern.co.uk.
There are designated customer car parks for Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Treakcliffe Cavern (please note none of these caverns are wheelchair accessible). Please enquire directly for further information.
- Roadside parking; Old Mam Tor Road, Castle Street, Back Street, How Lane.
- There are private car parks for the following businesses, for use by patrons only (for further information, please contact them directly):
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, The Peak Hotel, The George, Bulls Head and The Castle.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The Visitor Centre opening times are as follows:
Until 30 April 2023 - Every day: 10am to 4.30pm
From 1 May 2023 - Every day: 9.30am to 5pm
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Visitor Centre Desk
The lowered counter measures 720mm high.
Information can be provided in large print on request.
Staff assistance is avaliable.
There is a hearing loop at the till point/ information desk.
Public toilet
Accessible Toilet in The Blueberry Café
Height of the changing bench: 771mm
Public toilet
External Accessible Toilet at the Visitor Centre
This public toilets in the visitor centre car park is locked daily at 17:00.
There are also some public toilets located next to the Castleton Coach Station, opposite The Peaks Inn. There are two accessible toilets.
Shop
Visitor Centre Shop
There is ample circulation space in the retail area of the visitor centre.
Assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls can be provided for them. Please ask staff for assistance.
The nearest spend area for assistance dogs is on a grassed area towards the back of the car park, to which there is level access.
Place to eat and drink
Blueberry Cafe
There is a quiet area of seating behind a curtain, which can be requested and seats up to 18 people.
There is a variety of seating with and without armrests, and there is also high stools.
The Castleton Historical Society Museum
This museum is accessed from the shop and main entrance of the visitor centre, as well as through the Blueberry Cafe.
The narrowest part of the musuem, between displays is 960mm.
There is an interactive gesture wall with visual and audio display.
There is a film about the National Park, which plays on a loop throughout the day and has audio and subtitles.
Information in display cabinets varies in heights and visual contrast.
Getting around outside
Castleton Visitor Centre outside seating
There are a variety of picnic benches outside the visitor centre, including some wheelchair accessible benches.
Castleton Village Playground
This village playground is situated in a quiet area, away from the main village, near the Hollowford Centre. From the centre of the village, take the lane: Millbridge, which leads into Hollowford Road. There are two metal gates leading into a grassed car parking area, just before the road forks with Robinlands Lane. This parking is for the village rugby field and the playground. This is a quite area, where people can escape the busy village environment, which is surrounded by stunning landscape views.
Customer care support
Trampers (mobility scooters) will soon be avaliable to hire from the visitor centre. Please enquire within, or by calling 01629 816572.
Enquire with the visitor centre about whether they are able to charge a mobility scooter.
Emergency evacuation procedures
In the case of evacuation, all customers inside the visitor centre and Blueberry cafe will be led to safety by a member of the team or by a member of the fire brigade.
Customer care support