The Cat and Fiddle is the most famous road of the Peak District, England, which is especially popular with motorcyclists. Over the 250 accidents have been recorded on this road since 2001, which qualifies it as the most dangerous in the country. About 70% of those that were killed or seriously injured on the road were motorcyclists.
The 12-km (7.5-mi) road between Buxton, Derbyshire and Macclesfield, Cheshire, was named after the Cat and Fiddle Inn pub located on the highest point of the Peak District National Park, at an elevation of 515 m (1,689 ft) above sea level, which makes it the second highest public house in England.
The Cat and Fiddle Road is famous for its extreme bends, steep falls from the carriageway, edged by dry-stone walls. It also offers incredibly scenic views of the Greater Manchester area, the Peak District National Park, and the Cheshire Plain.
The road starts in Buxton at the junction of the A53 and A5004 Long Hill road, not far from the Buxton Opera House. From Ladmanlow it features a series of extreme bends that change into a flat moorland section before climbing to the Cat and Fiddle Inn. After it, the road descends to Macclesfield with quite a few dangerously blind bends.
The road is open year-round with occasional closures due to blizzard and ice. For updates, you can check the webcam showing the A537 road westward from the Cat & Fiddle Inn.
Practical info
When does the Cat and Fiddle road in England close?
The A537 road, also known as the Cat and Fiddle road, is open throughout the year. However, it may become inaccessible occasionally due to inclement weather conditions such as snowfall or black ice. Visitors can check the condition of the road at any time using the A537 webcam broadcasting the road's western route from the Cat & Fiddle Inn. Show more
Where is the Cat and Fiddle Inn located?
The Cat and Fiddle Inn resides in the Peak District National Park, situated above sea level at an elevation of 515 meters or 1689 feet. It can be found along a well-known 12-km or 7.5-mi route that links Buxton, Derbyshire with Macclesfield in Cheshire. The Cat and Fiddle road is known throughout the area as one of the most breathtaking drives in the Peak District and beyond. Show more
What makes the Cat and Fiddle Road dangerous?
One of the most celebrated roads in England, the Cat and Fiddle road has an awful reputation as one of the most hazardous routes with multiple casualties reported since 2001. The road is renowned for its treacherously tight turns, steep drops, and dry-stone wall edges, which account for its infamy as the most perilous road in Britain. More than seventy percent of people killed or hurt on the highway were motorbike riders. Show more
Are there any other sights to see in the Peak District National Park?
The Peak District National Park is a vast region sprawling over 1,440 sq km or 555 sq mi, including parts of several counties such as Derbyshire, Cheshire, South, and West Yorkshire. The park contains astonishing natural beauty, including striking limestone valleys, mesmerizing rolling hills, sensory-stimulating wild moors, and beautiful woodlands. One of the area's primary attractions is the incredible wildlife, and visitors can spot a wide range of creatures, including the rare and native mountain hare, the delicate blue harebell flowers, and a plant known as the bilberry. Show more
How long does it take to drive the entire Cat and Fiddle Road?
The Cat and Fiddle road is a 7.5 mi or 12 km long stretch of road that starts at the junction of A53 and A5004 Long Hill road in Buxton and concludes in Macclesfield. The time a driver would need to make the trip would depend on a number of factors such as the weather, traffic, and experience level of the driver. However, it typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour for a driver to complete the journey. Show more
