This route from Hartington to Buxton is for people who like beauty, pretty villages and countryside.

The village of Hartington is a charming collection of period stone buildings arranged around a central duckpond and green.  Almost a model village with a parish church, general grocer and a specialist cheese shop, it is a good starting point for a day out.  Artists are often spotted sketching the various local scenes and it appears to be a popular location for holidaymakers with dogs.

Stop for a few minutes for refreshments at the local Café with integral Post Office. If you sit outside on the picnic benches, you will be able to people watch and see the various tourists snapping photographs, walking their dogs and cycling past. The ice creams are highly recommended.

Drive on to the village of Longnor which has a collection of stone buildings, a couple of pubs and a cobblestone street. The places to visit here are the craft centre and the church graveyard which reveals much about the inhabitants of the area.  Hill walkers also like the remoteness of this part of the Peak District. Walk along the Manifold and Dove valleys.

From here, drive southwest from Longnor taking Leek Road on to the hamlet of Hardings Booth which consists of little more than a couple of holiday homes, barn conversions and farms. Take the single track rural Ball Back Lane from Hardings Booth, over a ford and follow the road uphill, past farmland, herds of cows, bulls and enjoy the views. Turn left at the junction with Edge Top Road and drive slowly taking in the views.

This is where Derbyshire briefly gives way to Staffordshire. At a high point on the hills, look out for a field with donkeys and alpacas. All around is moorland and pink flowering heather which is glorious in August. Discover bilberries growing at the side of the road. This relative of the cultivated blueberry produces masses of small dark sweet berries that Europeans gather and use in cakes and pies. The English seem to be unaware of their value.  

Few people use this road which mean that it is possible to stop and take photographs. Eventually to road meets up with the A53 to Buxton and you had back into the Peak District National Park.  It might be an idea to spend the rest of the day in Buxton, where there are pleasant gardens surrounding the Opera House. Book ahead and you could watch a performance at the Opera House or the cinema, have dinner and enjoy a brilliant day out.