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: