The ‘excellent’ cafe on popular Peak District route with sun terrace, bike hire and kids' play area

In the heart of the Peak District is a cafe which overlooks a popular traffic-free trail, with people passing by on foot, on bikes or even horses. Yet what might surprise you about this spot is that it was once a railway station, with trains hurtling past.

Although you may already guess its previous life from its name - Hassop Station Cafe. It’s located towards the western end of the Monsal Trail, which follows the route of the old Midland Railway Line.

Spanning 8.5 miles from Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale to Coombs Road at Bakewell, the trail passes through abandoned railway tunnels and along the impressive Headstone Viaduct. The route was originally built by the Midland Railway to link Manchester with London in 1863, but closed in 1968.

Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link

By 1981 it was partially reopened to the public as a traffic-free route, with the remaining closed railway tunnels finally opened in 2011. It provides a unique way to experience the stunning scenery of the Peak District with gorgeous views along the way.

Located towards the western end of the Monsal Trail and around two miles north of Bakewell, Hassop Station Cafe serves as a practical starting or ending point for the route, or as a much-needed pitstop along the way. The cafe has been described as ‘excellent’ on TripAdvisor, with an extensive menu offering vegetarian, vegan and children’s options.

The hearty cooked breakfast is an excellent choice if you want to fuel up for the day ahead, while it has a great selection of lunch options. For those in need of a mid-afternoon pick-me-up it has a selection of sweet treats, including Bakewell pudding (naturally).

Outside the cafe is a huge sun terrace where you