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Wonderful waterways

Shardlow Canal Basin

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Canals & Rivers

There are many areas of the Peak District that can fill you with peace, quiet and allow you to get a breath of fresh air- without a steep ascent!

A walk along one of the Peak District or Derbyshire’s canals or rivers are often full of interesting local wildlife, beautiful views and more often than not they come with a rich history.

As well as making tranquil and laid-back walks, the rivers and canals in Derbyshire and the Peak District also have connections to the Industrial Revolution, and this was no coincidence!

A big part of why Derbyshire and parts of the Peak District were the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution was its vast array of rivers, and with this came the creation of many canals in order to efficiently transport the produce.

Although they were once vitally important to the area’s industry, today they are the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or to ride down in a narrowboat!

From the site of the very first Mill at Cromford to the canal at Chesterfield- there are loads different canals to explore in Derbyshire.

Cromford Canal is a very short walk from Sir Richard Arkwright’s Mill at Cromford, makes for a tranquil and easy-going riverside walk.

Chesterfield Canal is 46 miles long and runs through the middle of Chesterfield and connects Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire together. All of this route can be walked which makes it a very popular place to explore. It also has some very early staircase locks, dating from 240 years ago!

As for rivers in Derbyshire and the Peak District, arguably the most visited are the River Derwent, the River Wye and the River Dove. For more information on all of these places to visit, use the search below:

Number of results:

Number of results: 6

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Chesterfield Canal – Tapton Lock Visitor Centre

Address:

Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7JB

Telephone:
01629 533020

Chesterfield

The Chesterfield Canal is a beautiful waterway, an oasis of calm in the busy market town. Starting at Tapton Lock Visitor Centre you’ll discover five miles of surfaced towpath and access onto the Trans Pennine Trail.
Birdswood Friends of the Cromford Canal

Address:

Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ

Telephone:
07552 055 455

Email:

victoria@birdswood.org

Matlock
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Take a much needed break from the 21st Century and glide gently along the historic Cromford Canal for a two hour trip on our 72ft narrow boat, Birdswood. We run special events throughout the year and on selected dates Birdswood is horse drawn-see…
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Cromford Canal

Address:

Mill Road, Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ

Matlock

Now a picturesque and relaxing place to go for a countryside walk, Cromford Canal was once a buzzing hub of Derbyshire’s industry.
Hollingwood Hub

Address:

22 Works Road, Hollingwood, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 2PF

Telephone:
01246 477569

Email:

info@hollingwood.org.uk

Chesterfield

Hollingwood Hub houses the offices of the Canal Trust in the old Hollingwood Lock House and also includes Nona's Coffee Shop and a Meeting Room, which is available for hire.

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River Derwent

Address:

The River Derwent is 66 miles long and full of history- this river was once highly important to the Industrial Revolution. Going between Matlock and Derby, it provided the power for the first ever cotton mill, Richard Arkwright’s mill in Cromford.
Padley Gorge

Address:

Longshaw, SHEFFIELD, South Yorkshire, S11 7TZ

SHEFFIELD

You'd be hard pushed to find a more magical spot than Padley Gorge. With gently flowing streams and tumbling waterfalls in a woodland setting near the Longshaw Estate and Grindleford, Padley Gorge is photogenic and full of character.

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