The 358 Bee Network bus from Stockport to Hayfield offers passengers a scenic journey through the Peak District for just £2, with views of canals, railway lines, old mills, and a New England-style church along the way.
Manchester Evening News tourism writer Liv Clarke took the route, starting at Stockport Interchange and purchasing a £2 single ticket. The return journey within 60 minutes required no additional fare, as the £5 day Bee Bus ticket was not needed.
Scenic Highlights Along the Route
Securing a front-row seat on the top deck, Clarke departed through Stockport town centre, passing landmarks such as the Stockport Plaza and Town Hall. The bus then moved through Offerton, where commercial buildings gave way to houses. Low-hanging tree branches caused noisy thuds on the upper level.
In Marple, Clarke glimpsed the iconic Marple Locks, one of the steepest flights in Britain. The landscape opened up with wide, cloudless skies before entering the wooded scenery of Strines, where generous houses resembled alpine lodges.
A New England-Style Church in Greater Manchester
A standout sight was St Paul's Church in Strines, a white corrugated iron structure known as 'the tin tabernacle.' Clarke noted it looked like it belonged in New England countryside rather than Greater Manchester, its white exterior delightful in the July sunshine.
Passenger Insights and the Final Stretch
Heading toward New Mills, the scenery became more rural, with permanent ice road signs. Clarke struck up a conversation with a fellow passenger who regularly takes the bus to Hayfield for walking. He said, “The best bit is the section from New Mills to Hayfield, it has brilliant views with Lantern Pike on your left. It’s such a lovely area with lots of walks.” He described the driver as 'hesitant,' which suited Clarke given sharp bends.
In New Mills, the bus passed railway tracks and the Millennium Walkway. As they departed, the Peak District hills dominated the horizon. The journey took just under an hour, ending at Hayfield Bus Station, which features picnic benches and access to the Sett Valley Trail.
For more What's On news, visit the Manchester Evening News website.
