Walkers and climbers can access Stanage Edge from the Hathersage bus. Photo: Darren Copley CC-BY-2.0

Walkers and climbers can access Stanage Edge from the Hathersage bus. Photo: Darren Copley [CC-2.0]

An authority is offering cheap bus tickets to celebrate the 60th anniversary the setting up of Britain’s national parks.

Two people can travel for the price of one on selected buses from Sheffield into the Peak District for a week during December. The authority hopes the move will lead to a reduction in walkers using their cars to access the area’s countryside.

Destinations include Bakewell, Buxton, Baslow, Castleton, Holmfirth and Matlock and the tickets are day returns from Monday 14 December to Sunday 20 December for £8.80 for two people on eight routes from Sheffield city centre.

Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, vice-chair of the Peak District National Park Authority and representative for Sheffield City Council on the authority, said: “The national parks legislation happened as a result of the right-to-roam movement, which had at its heart a desire to allow people from city areas to enjoy the beautiful countryside on their doorstep.

“We thought it would be an appropriate way to celebrate the anniversary by offering people in Sheffield the opportunity to come out to the national park by bus at half the normal cost.

“I hope people will take the opportunity to see the national park without needing to take their cars.”

Details of the deal are on the Peak District national park website.