The A537 Cat and Fiddle road once held a title nobody wants: the most dangerous road in Britain. Between 2002 and 2006, it recorded 44 fatal and serious collisions along just 7.5 miles of exposed moorland between Macclesfield and Buxton. That statistic put it at the top of the Road Safety Foundation's risk ranking and changed how the UK thought about rural road danger.

But here's the thing. The Cat and Fiddle isn't some crumbling cliff-edge track through impossible terrain. It's a well-surfaced A-road with clear sightlines in most places. The danger was never really about the road — it was about the gap between what drivers expected and what the road actually demanded.

Today, after significant safety improvements, the Cat and Fiddle remains one of the most satisfying driving roads in England. Understanding why it earned its reputation — and what's changed since — is the key to driving it well.

Quick Reference: Cat and Fiddle Road (A537)

Where Is the Cat and Fiddle Road?

The Cat and Fiddle road is the A537 running between Macclesfield in Cheshire and Buxton in Derbyshire. It cuts across the western edge of the Peak District National Park, climbing over open moorland at the highest point on any A-road in England outside the Pennines.

The road takes its name from the Cat and Fiddle Inn, which sits at 515 metres elevation near the summit — the second-highest pub in England. The inn has served as a landmark and waypoint for travellers since the early 1800s.

To reach the Cat and Fiddle from the south, take the M6 to junction 18 or 19 and head east through Macclesfield. From the north or east, approach via Buxton on the A53 or A6. The Cat and Fiddle road is the A537 connecting the two towns directly across the moors.

Why Was the Cat and Fiddle Called Britain's Most Dangerous Road?

The A537 topped the EuroRAP/Road Safety Foundation risk ranking from 2004 onward. The reasons were specific and measurable:

Speed disparity. Before 2010, the road carried the national speed limit (60 mph). The open moorland sections look fast and feel fast — long, sweeping curves across barren hilltops. But interspersed between those sweepers are several deceptively tight bends that demand serious speed reduction. Drivers would build speed on the flowing sections and arrive at the tight corners too fast.

Camber and adverse camber. Several bends on the Cat and Fiddle have adverse camber — the road slopes away from the direction of the turn. In dry conditions this is manageable. In wet conditions, it dramatically reduces available grip at the point where you need it most.

Weather exposure. At 500 metres, the Cat and Fiddle sits above the cloud base for much of winter. Fog, ice, standing water, and crosswinds are common. The road can go from dry to near-zero visibility in the space of a few hundred metres as you climb onto the moor.

Mix of traffic. The A537 attracts a wide range of users: commuters, tourists, heavy goods vehicles, cyclists on sportives, and — on weekends — large numbers of motorcyclists and sports car drivers. The speed differential between a loaded HGV and a motorcycle on the same narrow road creates risk.

No margin for error. Unlike a motorway, there are no barriers, run-off areas, or central reservations. Miss a bend and you're into a stone wall, a ditch, or oncoming traffic.

What Safety Improvements Have Been Made?

The road has been transformed since its worst years. Key changes include:

• 50 mph speed limit imposed in 2010, replacing the national limit
• Average speed cameras installed along the full length
• Road surface improvements including anti-skid surfacing on key bends
• Improved road markings and signage warning of specific hazards
• Vegetation management to maintain sightlines
• Chevron boards at the tightest corners

The results have been significant. Fatal and serious collisions dropped substantially after the cameras and speed limit were introduced. The Cat and Fiddle no longer tops the danger rankings.

But the road itself hasn't changed shape. The corners are still the same corners. The camber is still adverse where it was adverse. The weather is still the weather. What changed is how fast people drive it.

Section-by-Section: What to Expect

Driving west to east (Macclesfield to Buxton), here's what the road delivers.

Macclesfield to the Moor (Miles 0-2)

The road climbs steeply out of Macclesfield through residential areas. Speed is restricted, and there are several tight bends as you gain elevation through the wooded hillside. This section sets the tone — the road is narrower than you might expect for an A-road, and the bends arrive quickly.

The Moorland Climb (Miles 2-4)

Once clear of the trees, the road opens onto exposed moorland. This is where the character changes. Long, flowing curves sweep across the hilltop with views extending for miles in clear weather. The temptation to carry speed is strong — the road looks fast and the landscape encourages it.

But tucked between the sweepers are tighter bends that catch out drivers who haven't adjusted. Watch for the adverse-camber right-hander about three miles from Macclesfield — it tightens mid-corner and has been the scene of numerous incidents.

This is exactly the kind of section where knowing what the next corner does before you can see it changes everything. Rods calls out corner severity and flags tightening bends through your speakers, so you know a sweeping left 5 is about to become a tight right 3 before the road reveals it.

Cat and Fiddle Summit (Mile 4-5)

The Cat and Fiddle Inn marks the highest point of the road. The pub sits on a bleak, windswept plateau — atmospheric in summer, genuinely harsh in winter. There's a car park here if you want to stop.

The section immediately around the summit is relatively gentle — broad curves with decent visibility. But weather conditions change rapidly at this altitude. Check conditions before you leave, and be prepared for the road surface to be wet even when Macclesfield and Buxton are dry.

The Buxton Descent (Miles 5-7.5)

The eastern side drops toward Buxton through a series of bends that are tighter than the Macclesfield approach. The descent steepens, and the combination of gradient, tight corners, and occasional adverse camber demands attention.

The Goyt Valley section near the bottom features some of the tightest bends on the entire road. They arrive after a relatively fast downhill stretch, and the speed differential catches people out. Brake early and use the road — don't carry speed into bends where you can't see the exit.

The road eventually straightens as it enters Buxton's outskirts.

Best Direction to Drive the Cat and Fiddle

West to east (Macclesfield to Buxton) is generally preferred. You climb into the moorland section, which gives you the dramatic reveal of the open landscape. The tighter Buxton-side bends are taken on the descent, where your speed is naturally lower.

East to west works too, but the Buxton-side bends are steeper to climb, and you arrive at the moorland sweepers already carrying momentum from the climb.

Either direction, the road rewards being driven smoothly. This isn't a road for late braking — it's a road for reading the curves, matching your speed to what's ahead, and enjoying the rhythm.

Best Time to Drive

Early weekday mornings in late spring through early autumn offer the best conditions. The road is quieter, the weather is more predictable, and the light is good.

Avoid: Bank holiday weekends, sunny Sunday afternoons (motorcycle traffic peaks), foggy or icy conditions. The average speed cameras mean you're not going to be driving quickly regardless of traffic — the 50 mph limit is enforced.

Winter: The road is open year-round but can be treacherous in winter. Ice, fog, and standing water are common above 400 metres. The road is salted but conditions can change quickly.

Nearby Roads Worth Driving

The Cat and Fiddle sits in one of England's best driving regions. Within easy reach:

• Snake Pass (A57) — 25 miles northeast, another Peak District classic with steep gradients and tight bends
• The Goyt Valley road — Runs south from the A537 through a reservoir valley with tight, tree-lined bends
• Long Hill (A5004) — A fast, rolling road between Buxton and Whaley Bridge
• A54 to Congleton — Sweeping moorland road south of the Cat and Fiddle

The Peak District has dozens of excellent B-roads that connect these main routes. A day in the area can easily fill with good driving.

For a broader look at the best UK routes, the best driving roads in the UK guide covers the full picture.

Hazards and Practical Tips

• Average speed cameras cover the full road. Set cruise control or stay aware — the cameras are not optional.
• Sheep and cattle wander onto the road, particularly in spring and summer. Expect livestock around blind bends.
• Cyclists use the Cat and Fiddle regularly, including large groups on sportives. Give them space.
• Motorcyclists are common on weekends. Many ride in groups. Be visible and predictable.
• Weather changes fast at altitude. Carry a warm layer even in summer. If fog rolls in, slow down immediately — visibility can drop to near zero.
• No fuel or services between Macclesfield and Buxton. Fill up before you leave.

FAQ

Is the Cat and Fiddle road still the most dangerous road in Britain? No. After speed cameras, a 50 mph limit, and road surface improvements were introduced around 2010, fatal and serious collisions dropped significantly. The road no longer tops the danger rankings, though it still demands respect — the corners and exposure haven't changed.

What is the speed limit on the Cat and Fiddle road? The A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton has a 50 mph limit enforced by average speed cameras along the full length. Before 2010, it carried the national speed limit of 60 mph.

Can you drive the Cat and Fiddle in winter? Yes, the road stays open year-round. However, ice, fog, and standing water are common at 500 metres elevation during winter months. The road is gritted but conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Check forecasts and drive to conditions.

Where is the Cat and Fiddle pub? The Cat and Fiddle Inn sits at the summit of the A537, approximately 515 metres above sea level. It's the second-highest pub in England and has been a landmark on this route since the early 19th century. There's car parking available.