Best way from East Midlands Airport to Chatsworth

Do you have any objections to renting a car?

Hi Sam- the other-side-of-the-road thing is a bit daunting, but if it wasn't for that, no.

You might just have to learn on the fly. Where are you coming from?

Looks like you need two buses ...
Skylink (Kinchbus) from East Midlands Airport to Derby ... https://www.kinchbus.co.uk/services/skylink-derby
Transpeak (High Peak Buses) from Derby to Bakewell ... http://www.highpeakbuses.com/transpeak
From Bakewell it's 7.5km to Chatsworth House - perhaps organise a taxi.

Thanks, Sam- we're flying in from Dublin (unless you meant where do we live, in which case, the US-- only on my first cup of coffee!). Anyway, I did look up rental car options, but unfortunately to rent at the airport (the other closest option is 13 miles away), plus drop-off at a different location (catching a bus out of Chesterfield), and needing an automatic puts us at around $250.

Thank you David, that might be the way to go.

I'm sorry, Emma, I didn't quite follow that.

Thanks all!

Ah, gotcha Emma. Actually, that IS what I think we'll wind up doing-- we're a family of five, and once I started adding up the cost of each bus or train segment of the trip times five, we might as well hire a car. Thank you for your help!

Just rubbing brain cells together - if you pay all that to get to Chatsworth - an excellent location by the way - will you have to do it all over again when you leave? That rental even with the automatic (are you sure that they have such things at such a minor airport?) sounds better and better doesn't it?

Can none of you 5 drive a normal gearbox?

There's a National Express coach from East Midlands Airport to Chesterfield: http://www.nationalexpress.com/assets/uploads/pdf/timetables/R240.pdf If it works with your schedule, it could eliminate the problem of picking up and dropping off the rental car at different locations.

Emma, good point-- I see that I worded that a bit wrong! I meant we'd arrange for a taxi.

Nigel-- we'll be taking National Express out of Chesterfield when we leave, and from what I've found out, taking a taxi there shouldn't be a problem. Manual transmissions are all but unused here in the US. My husband and I tried to learn a few years ago in advance of a trip to France, but we were terrible students-- probably because we couldn't find a car to practice on more than once or twice. The other three of our party are our children-- one's a novice driver, and the other two are too young.

khbuzzard-- thank you, I'll check that out.

There is another major argument in favor of renting ( hiring ) a car - Chatsworth is absolutely stunning , you will need at least a very full day for the house and grounds - wonderful gardens and architectural follies . You can get to and from the estate by public transportation and taxi , but you will miss exploring some of the beautiful towns in the area , ie Bakewell , Baslow , Matlock Bath to name a few . You will also want to stop in Edensor ( pronounced Ensa , by the way ) at St Peter's , JFK's favorite sister is buried there , and her story is touching and heartbreaking . It would be a shame to miss so much of this while you are there . Reconsider a car - The area is calm and driving is easy . Watch this video to whet your appetite for this marvelous place - https://youtu.be/bG9BzyXdQTc?list=PLgdCHFPFkEJ2HR2KdCLI5UI3toA99nr2o

Thank you Steven-- it's very tempting, but we only have a day and a half there, ultimately-- a small "vacation" in the middle of our vacation. Luckily, our B&B is on the grounds, so we'll only have a short walk to Chatsworth and its gardens.