How to get there?
The best way to Ladybower Reservoir is via your own transport. You can catch a train to nearby Bamford but this is still a distance from the various start points for these walks.
Important – In winter, Snake Pass (A57) which is the north route to Ladybower Reservoir is closed in snowy conditions.
Where to park?
One of the main car park is at Fairholmes visitor centre, where there is a large car park that covers two levels. In addition, there’s another car park about halfway down the road, much smaller but good if you’re starting your walk further up the road, for example, the Alport Castles walk.
Car parking address – Fairholmes car park, Upper Derwent Visitor Centre, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ. This car park accepts card payments as well as cash
There’s also another car park Heatherdene, which is a decent size but again can fill up quickly, there’s a small amount of parking alongside the road leading into this but as you can imagine it doesn’t last long!
Car parking address: Heatherdene car park, Ladybower Reservoir, Hope Valley, S33 0BY. This is a medium-sized car par, with a good amount of disabled spaces too. It’s a pay and display car park. Please note coins only, no card payments in this car park.
Parking cost for both above car parks*
(Change is required when paying cash. Fairholmes and Heatherdene have a card payment option also.)
Up to 2 hours: £3.50
2 – 24 hours: £6.00
Bridge End is another, smaller, car park at the reservoir. It used to be free but charges now apply. Cash only.
Car parking address: Bridge End car park, Derwent Lane, S33 0AQ
Parking cost at Bridge End*
Up to 2 hours: £2.00
Over 2 hours: £4.00
You can also park at Derwent Overlook car park. This is run by the Peak District National Park Authority and accepts payments via cash, card or the RingGo app.
Car parking address – Derwent Overlook car park, Derwent Lane, Bamford, S33 0AQ
Parking cost at Derwent Overlook*
Up to 1 hour: £1.50
Up to 2 hours: £2.50
Up to 4 hours: £4.00
All day: £4.75
*Correct at time of writing
Toilet facilities
There are toilet facilities at Fairholmes Visitor Centre and Heatherdene car park.
Where to eat and drink?
There is a small cafe that does snacks and takeaway food at Fairholmes Visitor Centre and on your way home there are a couple of pubs that are lovely near Ladybower Reservoir:
Accommodation options
The above two pubs are also hotels and you can check availability and prices via Booking.com – Ladybower Inn or Yorkshire Bridge Inn
Other Booking.com options near Ladybower Reservoir in the Bamford area:
Or alternatively, there are a couple of Airbnb options:
