High Peak Junction Visitor Centre – Cromford Canal

High Peak Junction Visitor Centre on the Cromford Canal, lies a mile south of Cromford village, in the beautiful Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Relax, take a stroll and watch the world go by in this tranquil haven of heritage and wildlife. Discover some of the oldest surviving railway workshops in the world, from the former Cromford and High Peak Railway and step back in time with the fascinating audio tour.Cromford Wharf is just a mile stroll along the towpath, with easy access for families and wheelchairs. The Cromford Canal can be explored between Cromford Wharf and Ambergate, a distance of just over five miles. The High Peak Trail starts here at High Peak Junction and continues for 17.5 miles to Dowlow near Buxton. The Visitor Centre at High Peak Junction offers a warm welcome and light refreshments, with leaflets, maps and information to help you explore. Picnic areas take in the waterside views, with parking signposted from the A6 at Cromford. A number of waymarked walks in the area start from here. A canal aqueduct over the River Derwent and the magnificent Leawood Pump House are just a few minutes walk away. Leawood Pump is a steam powered engine which operates on some summer weekends and bank holidays or take a trip on the historic narrowboat Birdswood from Cromford Wharf. The canal is a haven for wildlife (and a Site of Special Scientific Interest). Little grebes and water voles can be seen throughout the year, with dragonflies and damselflies in the summer months.