With rolling hills and windswept moors, the views on this Cheshire road have long been known for their breathtaking natural beauty. The Cat and Fiddle route through Cheshire and the Peak District is also said to be one of the "most romantic" drives.
It's not the easiest of drives though, known for its sharp bends and turns along the route. But it does have the rewards of some of the best views of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester along the way.
The stretch is known as the Cat and Fiddle thanks to the pub of the same name at its summit. It runs from Buxton to Macclesfield along the A537, and partly the A53 and A54.
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The road often makes top ten lists for its rugged beauty, and most recently was including in the Most Romantic Road Trips in the UK by EnjoyTravel.com. It came in at number three in a list that put the Cotswolds Romantic Road in Lower Slaughter in the top spot, and the North Coast 500 in Scotland at number two.
EnjoyTravel.com's reasons for the road's inclusion? It wrote: "Looking for a route that excites and delights? Then head to the Peak District National Park in central England and take the Cat and Fiddle Road.
"This road crosses the wild Pennines and is famous for its wonderful vistas across the Greater Manchester conurbation, the Peak District National Park and the Cheshire Plain. It is also famous for its many bends and sharp turns, but that’s what makes it so exciting to drive.
"Not only will your loved one get your heart rate up, but this road will too! The road is named after the Cat and Fiddle Inn public house, which is at the summit and is the second-highest public house in England."
It concluded: "This road is thoroughly enjoyable to drive as long as you take your time and it’s romantic too."
The road is famous for the Cat and Fiddle pub - but these days the coaching inn has been transformed into a rather quirky stop off for gin and whisky fans after it was taken over by Cheshire's Forest Distillery.
They are now known as the highest altitude whisky distillery and you can book to go on hosted tours with gin and whisky tastings in the old historic pub. Booking in advance is essential for the tastings, but there's also a well-stocked shop here where you can stop off and buy the Forest Distillery range, as well as a host of craft beers from local brewers.
If booze is not your thing, just a few miles along from the Cat and Fiddle is a tearooms boasting one of the best views of Cheshire and the Peaks that you will ever find. The Peak View Tea Rooms sits a whopping 1,670 feet above sea level, with an outdoor terrace offering simply stunning views while you enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed tea or a slice of home-made cake.
The cafe sits just beneath Shining Tor - the highest point in Cheshire - and is known for boasting some of the best views in the north west. Based on the Buxton Road, just outside Macclesfield, the café overlooks the sweeping Cheshire plain and hails itself the "highest tea rooms in England".
If you're venturing out this way for a romantic road trip, there's plenty more stop offs that can be made along the way, as well as admiring the bleak and beautiful moors of Goyt's Moss and Axe Edge. You will drive past Macclesfield Forest which is a beautiful place for a walk as well as the peaks of Shining Tor and Shutlingsloe to either admire or ramble.
Tucked away in valleys just off the road are secluded corners like the upper Goyt Valley. A top spot to head for a walk here is the ruins of Errwood Hall.
This once fine mansion house now lies in near rubble, but it has become a popular tourist destination for walks and to admire the splendid views. Indeed it has previously been described as "probably the most romantic location in Derbyshire".
Venture along later in the Spring and you will also get to see an explosion of colour from the famous rhododendrons here too.
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