In the centre of Buxton at the roundabout in front of the old coaching inn, The Rutland Arms, the Buxton Road begins, by curving away from the town and heading up towards the hills. Passing a row of shops the Buxton Road quickly heads into open countryside, passing alongside the river and the picturesque Ashford in the Water. This thoroughfare is the main road to Manchester and is much used by freight and commuters.