The county contains part of the National Forest , and borders on Greater Manchester , West Yorkshire , South Yorkshire , Nottinghamshire , Leicestershire , Staffordshire and Cheshire . The county contains within its boundary of approx . 225 miles , part of the National Forest , and borders on Greater Manchester to the North West , West Yorkshire to the North , South Yorkshire to the North East , Nottinghamshire to the East , Leicestershire to the South East , Staffordshire to the West and South West and Cheshire also to the West .