Wirksworth

  

Lead has been mined around Wirksworth since Roman times and although quarrying it is still an important industry to town, the surrounding area is very picturesque. To appreciate Wirksworth fully, visitors need to get away from the main road and explore on foot the network of narrow lanes, yards and alleys. The Church of St Mary is one place to seek out and is amazingly grand for a parish church, housing many interesting features including a Saxon coffin lid, Norman font and fine carvings. Another alleyway off the Market Place leads to the Heritage Centre where the history and development of the town is explained. At The Moot Hall the ancient lead miners Court is still held and other fine buildings include the Priest's House, Gell's Almshouses and the Old Grammar School.

Things to do; Well Dressings are held from late May to early June, there is an annual Carnival and an Arts Festival in September. The unique annual ceremony of Church Clypping, embracing the church boundaries, is also in September. There are galleries, craft shops, teashops and some good pubs in the town. On the outskirts to the north, the National Stone Centre tells the story of stone and how it has influenced the development of the area. On the edge of the village is the Steeple Grange Light Railway, once serving the limestone quarries, it now carries passengers along a narrow gauge line.

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Prices

Free entry

Open all the time

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