Cromford
Derbyshire & The Peak District

Cromford village is just south of Matlock Bath along the A6, a walk of about 5 miles full of history from Cromford Wharf through Cromford village up to the Black Rocks, excellent views across the Derwent valley from the High Peak Trail and a pleasant walk next to Cromford Canal from High Peak Junction back to Cromford Wharf.
March 2008

To see a map of the area click here

High Peak and Tissington Trails

Cromford Wharf

The Scarthin, just off the market place
 leading to the old millpond , Cromford village

The old millpond

The old millpond, water was channelled from here to power Cromford Mill

Passing pretty cottages on the way up to the Black Rocks

The High Peak Trail leading to the Black Rocks

The Black Rocks stand 80ft high

From the top of Black Rocks looking down on the village of Cromford

A wood sculpture on the High Peak Trail

Looking over the Derwent valley from the High Peak Trail,
the large house in the middle is Willersley Castle built by Arkwright for himself
but died before it was completed. Beyond the house is Matlock Bath and Matlock on the horizon to the right.

High Peak Trail, formerly the Cromford and High Peak Railway,
 it was built in the 1830's

At this end of the High Peak Trail is High Peak Junction where the railway
meets Cromford Canal

High Peak Junction

Cromford Canal, seen through the rear window of the railway carriage

Leawood Pump House built in 1849 was used to lift water
 from the river Derwent down below into the Cromford Canal

Old cottage near the canal

River Derwent

Former railway transhipment building at High Peak Junction

Following the canal tow path back to Cromford Wharf,
 the 33 mile long canal was built in 1793, the canal links up with the Erewash and completes a waterway to the river Trent at Trent Lock.

Arkwright's Cromford Mill

Sir Richard Arkwright 1732-1792 built the world's first water powered cotton spinning mill at Cromford in 1771.
 The Mill is being restored by the Arkwright Society
 and has a restaurant, shops and an exhibition.
 

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© Copyright John Beres & Carol Carlin 2003-2008