It is around 8 miles from Leek and Ashbourne, being nearly the halfway point between the two towns on the A523 road, which roughly follows the southern boundary of the Peak District National Park.

Due to the railway not being as successful as hoped and not utilised enough, it was later opened for tourists, but still failed to make a profit and was later closed and then turned into a cycle path.

Waterhouses situated on the A523 Leek to Ashbourne Road, near to Alton Towers and on the edge of the dramatic scenery of the Peak Park, is a popular place for visitors to the area.

via many footpaths or the aforementioned Manifold Way Cycle path and is also a common respite stop for visitors to Alton Towers.

The village is popular with tourists and has many great amenities available, The Crown – public house, a local Post Office, swimming baths, off licence / convenience store and the Riverside Cafe.